JP5063928B2 - Self-checkout terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-checkout terminal that enables self-checkout by a customer.

  In recent years, various user interfaces for executing merchandise sales data processing have been placed in locations where customers can operate, provide information to customers, and issue receipts to customers, enabling self-checkout by customers. Development of an out terminal is underway (Patent Document 1). As various user interfaces, for example, a product code reading unit such as a barcode reader, a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, for example, a settlement enabling settlement such as a coin and banknote depositing and dispensing device And a receipt printer are prepared.

  In addition, in a self-checkout terminal, in order to prevent fraud, a product that a customer can take home is a product whose product code has been read by the product code reader, in other words, a purchase subject to product sales data processing. It is necessary to take measures to limit it to products only. As countermeasures for this, for example, as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, an invention has been made in which the weight of a product whose product code is read by a product code reading unit is checked to prevent fraud. . As a weight check method, Patent Document 2 describes that the weight data of the product is acquired from the PLU file based on the product code read by the product code reading unit, and the product code after the product code is read. In this method, the weight is measured, and the weight is checked with the identity between the weight specified by the weight data and the actually measured weight. Patent Document 3 describes a method in which the weight of a product is measured before and after the product code is read by the product code reading unit, and the weight is checked based on whether the two weights match or not. It is.

JP 2004-086728 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-080679 JP 2002-367030 A

  When the method described in Patent Document 3 is adopted as a weight check method, it is necessary to prepare at least two weighing devices, which not only makes the device large, but also increases the price of the device. . The weight check method described in Patent Document 2 does not have such a problem.

  However, when the method described in Patent Document 2 is adopted as the weight check method, there is an inconvenience that the weight of each product must be registered in the PLU file.

  An object of the present invention is to eliminate the troublesome task of registering the weight of each product in a PLU file.

A self-checkout terminal according to the present invention includes a product code reading unit that reads a product code attached to a product, a weighing device that measures the weight of the product from which the product code is read by the product code reading unit, and individual product codes Means for executing a search process for searching for a unit price and a weight corresponding to a product for which the product code is read from a product data file storing a unit price, a weight, and an allowable range for the weight corresponding to the result, and a result of the search process When the unit price and weight corresponding to the product for which the product code is read from the product data file are acquired, the weight of the product weighed by the scale device after reading the product code is the weight acquired by the search process. Means for executing weight check processing for determining whether or not they have the same, and the product data file as a result of the search processing Et when the corresponding weight can not be acquired without performing the weight check process, the allowable range for the weight and those the weight of the commodity metered by the weighing device after reading commodity codes, the product code Means for executing weight registration processing associated with the product code read by the reading unit and registered in the product data file; and, as a result of the weight check processing, the weight of the product measured by the scale device after reading the product code Stores product information including the product code and the unit price acquired by the search process in the storage unit when the same as the weight acquired by the search process or when the weight registration process is performed Means for executing product information registration processing.

  According to the present invention, the weight of each product can be registered in the product data file only by reading the product code by the customer in the actual business transaction, and each product can be registered in the product data file. The troublesome work of registering the weight can be eliminated.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The description of the present embodiment will be made along the following items.

1. System configuration (1) Overview of system configuration (2) Self-checkout terminal (3) Attendant terminal Self-checkout process (1) Basic routine of self-checkout process (2) Screen transition during self-checkout process (3) Weight check process
(1) First example
(2) Another example
(3) Skip weight check processing (4) Register product information by screen input (5) Register product information for packed products
(1) Packing product input method
(2) Second weight check processing (6) Cancel specification (7) Call specification (8) M & M (mix and match)
(9) Settlement (10) Checker mode (11) Weight registration processing Monitoring at the attendant terminal (1) Various information transmitted from the self-checkout terminal to the attendant terminal (2) Monitoring screen displayed by the attendant terminal (3) Monitoring processing on the monitoring screen
(1) Operation status display
(2) Declaration of use
(3) Product sales data processing information display
(4) Error occurrence information display
(5) Clerk call display
(6) Deposit / withdrawal related display
(7) Log display of weight check errors The following items will be explained in the following order.
1. System Configuration (1) Overview of System Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall system configuration. The system of the present embodiment is constructed by connecting a plurality of self-checkout systems 11, a plurality of POS terminals 21, and a store controller 31 via a communication network 41.

  The self-checkout system 11 is configured by assigning one attendant terminal 501 to a plurality of self-checkout terminals 101. The self-checkout terminal 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of each part in the self-checkout system 11. In the self-checkout system 11 of this embodiment, one attendant terminal 501 is assigned to four self-checkout terminals 101. The self-checkout terminal 101 is arranged such that a pair of self-checkout terminals 101 are arranged in parallel along the customer passage 121, and the pair of self-checkout terminals 101 face the front side via the customer passage 121. Has been.

  An attendant terminal 501 is disposed at the end of the customer passage 121. The attendant terminal 501 has a form of a personal computer having a main body 502, a display 503 as a display unit, a keyboard 504, and a pointing device 505 as an operation unit, and is placed on the attendant table 601. Yes.

The customer can access any self-checkout terminal 101 through the customer passage 121. For example, when trying to use the self-checkout terminal 101 located on the upper right side in FIG. 2 and located on the left side in the traveling direction when viewed from the customer, stand in front of the self-checkout terminal 101 through the customer passage 121, After the self-checkout, the user walks around to the left or right in front of the attendant table 601 and leaves.
(2) Self-Checkout Terminal FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the self-checkout terminal 101. The self-checkout terminal 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  The settlement terminal 201 has a housing 202 from which a product basket mounting table 102 for mounting a bag (not shown) containing products to be purchased by a customer protrudes from the left side. On the upper surface of the commodity basket mounting table 102, a protrusion 103 for positioning the basket is formed in an L shape.

  The housing 202 of the payment terminal 201 includes a base housing 202a installed on the floor and a small upper housing 202b placed on the upper surface of the base housing 202a. The front surface of the base housing 202a is inclined so as to narrow the projected area of the base housing 202a as it goes downward. As a result, the base housing 202a has a shape that is offset toward the back as it goes downward.

  Various user interfaces are provided in the upper housing 202b. That is, in the upper housing 202b, a barcode scanner 203 as a product code reading unit is arranged on the left side, and a printer cover 204 and a monitoring camera 205 are arranged on the right side. These barcode scanner 203, printer cover 204, and monitoring camera are arranged. Between 205, a card reading unit 206 and a numeric keypad 207 as a settlement unit are arranged. The barcode scanner 203 is a vertical scanner that functions as a product code reading unit that reads a product code attached to a product. The printer cover 204 is provided with a receipt issuing port 208. A receipt printer 251 (see FIG. 6) is built in the upper housing 202b on the back side of the printer cover 204, and a receipt (not shown) printed by the receipt printer 251 is issued from a receipt issuing port 208. Yes. The printer cover 204 is attached to the upper housing 202b so as to be openable and closable, and is opened by pulling the flap 209. The monitoring camera 205 is disposed above the printer cover 204. The card reading unit 206 establishes wireless communication with a non-contact IC card (not shown), and reads / writes information from / to the non-contact IC card. As an example, the non-contact IC card can store and save electronic money having a value equivalent to cash. As another example, the contactless IC card stores and stores an identification number for identifying a debited bank account. Used. In FIG. 1, an antenna (not shown) is built in the back of the portion marked “CARD” in the circle, and wireless communication with the non-contact IC card is established via this antenna. The numeric keypad 207 is used for inputting a personal identification number at the time of settlement with a non-contact IC card.

  An LCD 210 serving as a display unit having a liquid crystal display panel is attached to the upper housing 202b. The LCD 210 has a touch panel 211 as an input unit on its display surface and a card reading groove 212 on the right side. A card reader / writer 252 (see FIG. 6) as a settlement unit is built in the card reading groove 212. The card reader / writer 252 reads information recorded on a magnetic card such as a credit card, for example, a card number or a password.

  The base housing 202a incorporates a coin / banknote deposit / withdrawal device 221 (see FIG. 6). As a part of the deposit / withdrawal device 221, a coin insertion slot 213 is disposed on the central upper surface of the base housing 202a, and a coin payout outlet 214 is disposed on the left side thereof. In addition, a bill insertion slot 215 and a bill dispensing outlet 216 are arranged at the upper right position on the front surface of the base housing. Such a deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221 has a mechanism unit that enables handling of money and banknotes and a control unit that controls the mechanism unit (both not shown). About the structure of such a mechanism part, the process procedure in a control part, etc., since the content is known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a display pole 217 for displaying the current state of the self-checkout terminal 101 is erected from the back surface of the base housing 202a. The display pole 217 has a light emitting portion 218 that selectively emits blue and red light at the tip.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the scale device 301. The scale device 301 is configured such that a scale pan 303 is provided on an upper portion of a scale housing 302, and a bag holder 304 is attached to the scale pan 303. The weighing pan 303 has a mounting table 303a on its upper surface. The bag holder 304 is attached to the mounting table 303a. Therefore, when viewed from the bag holder 304, the weighing pan 303 constitutes a pedestal. That is, a pole-shaped arm support portion 305 is erected at the rear center portion of the mounting table 303a, and a temporary mounting table 306 for mounting an article is fixed to the upper end of the arm support unit 305. The temporary placement table 306 is a table that has a flat upper surface and is used for temporarily placing products after the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 of the payment terminal 201. Both the mounting table 303a and the temporary mounting table 306 play a role as a mounting unit for mounting a product to which a product code is input.

  A pair of holding arms 307 and a hook 308 are attached to the lower surface of such a temporary placing table 306. That is, the arm attachment 309 is fixed to the both end positions of the lower surface of the temporary placing table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A holding arm 307 is embedded in each of the arm attachments 309. Further, a hook attachment 310 is fixed at the center of the lower surface of the temporary table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A hook 308 is embedded in the hook attachment 310.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shopping bag 401 as a storage bag is held by the holding arm 307. The holding arm 307 includes, for example, a plastic bag 401 such as a plastic bag provided to a customer in a supermarket or the like, that is, an opening 402 and a pair of handles 403 protruding from the opening 402, and these handles 403 are provided on both sides. In order to hold the shopping bag 401 folded so as to be positioned, a pair of grips 403 are held in a skewered state. In order to realize such a holding state, a slit 404 is formed in the handle 403. In addition, the plastic bag 401 is formed with a pair of ears 406 that are positioned between the pair of handles 403 and can be removed by the perforation 405, and hooks 407 are formed in these ears 406. ing. The hook 308 is inserted through the hooking hole 407, thereby holding the shopping bag 401 together with the holding arm 307.

  More specifically, when the shopping bag 401 is folded, the hooking hole 407 provided in the ear portion 406 is hooked on the hook 308 and held. The holding arm 307 has a first holding portion 311 on the base side for holding the folded shopping bag 401 held by the hook 308 in this way. These hooks 308 and the first holding part 311 have a holding capacity sufficient to hold a plurality of folded shopping bags 401 in a stacked state. The holding arm 307 has a second holding unit 312 on the distal end side that holds the shopping bag 401 in a state of being opened at a position lower than the holding position by the first holding unit 311 continuously to the first holding unit 311. . The second holding portion 312 is formed in a shape in which the height of the central portion is increased, more specifically in an arch shape. Therefore, the two points at both ends of the second holding part 312 are low in height, and the central part connecting these two low points is raised in an arch shape. The first holding unit 311 and the second holding unit 312 are connected to the second holding unit 312 from the first holding unit 311 by an inclined unit 313 that linearly inclines. Further, the end portion of the second holding portion 312, that is, the tip portion of the holding arm 307 rises obliquely upward from a portion having a low height. The raised portion is a return portion 314 for preventing the handle 403 of the held shopping bag 401 from dropping off.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the payment terminal 201. The payment terminal 201 has a control unit 253 as an information processing unit therein. For example, the control unit 253 may have a semiconductor chip configuration in which an operation sequence is written, or may have a microcomputer configuration in which an operation program is stored in the RAM 254 or the like. Here, the control unit 253 having a microcomputer configuration will be introduced.

  The CPU 255 is the core of the control unit 253. The CPU 255 is connected via a system bus 259 to a ROM 256 that stores fixed data in a fixed manner, a RAM 254 that stores variable data in a rewritable manner, a VRAM 257 that generates a display image to be displayed on the LCD 210, and an HDD 258. Yes. As an example, the HDD 258 includes an operation program, various display frames, a PLU file, a department file, a weight data file WDF (see FIG. 30), various files such as an image file and a sales file, weight check execution definition, product placement location. Definitions, various rule information, etc. (all but the weight data file WDF are not shown) are stored and saved, and all or part of these operation programs, various display frames, various files, and various rule information are settled. When the terminal 201 is activated, it is moved to the RAM 254 and used. These PLU file, weight data file WDF, department file, image file, sales file and other various files, weight check execution definition, product placement location definition, various rule information, etc. constitute a product data file.

  The PLU file that composes the product data file rewrites product display, discounted product classification, discount amount, M & M (mix and match) information, etc. in addition to unit price, corresponding to the product code that identifies each product Memorize freely. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the product code and image data of the product.

  The department file that constitutes the product data file corresponds to the department code for each product not stored in the PLU file, its unit price, product display, discounted product type, discount amount, M & M (mix and match) information, etc. Is stored in a rewritable manner. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the department code and image data of the product.

  The weight data file WDF constituting the product data file stores a set weight, an allowable width, and the like corresponding to the product code of the product registered in the PLU file and the department file. Details of the weight data file WDF will be described later with reference to FIG. Such a weight data file WDF may be included in a PLU file or a department file as another example.

  The weight check execution definition that constitutes the product data file is incorporated in the weight data file WDF, and stores different types of weight check execution in association with each product code. As an example, a product that is not checked for weight is a product that is too light to fit into the weighing by the weighing device 301 or a product that is too heavy to be moved to the weighing pan 303 of the weighing device 301. Similar to the product placement location definition, since many products are subjected to weight check, it is not necessary to have positive information on the weight check. That is, it is sufficient for each product to have only one information on whether or not to check the weight. Such a weight check execution presence / absence definition may be included in the PLU file as another example.

  The product placement location definition that constitutes the product data file is incorporated in the weight data file WDF, and the weighing pan 303, the temporary placement table 306, and the floor surface as the placement location of the product whose barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 It should be defined for each product. That is, in the product placement location definition, the product placement location is related to the product code by weighing pan 303 (does not skip weight), temporary placement table 306 (skip weight (weigh)), and floor (skip weight) ( Define what should be weight)). As another example, the product placement location definition can be included in the PLU file. As another example, characteristics information of the product, for example, characteristic information such as easy to break, easy to break, easy to lose shape, heavy, etc. is stored in a PLU file etc., and as an example, easy to break, easy to break, out of shape For products having the characteristic of being easy, the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the placement location, and for products having the characteristic of being heavy, the floor surface is defined as the placement location. As another example, a floor surface is defined as a place for placing a commodity after reading a barcode when the weight stored in the weight data file WDF is heavier than a specified weight.

  Whether the weight data file WDF should be placed on the weighing pan 303 (does not skip weight), the temporary storage table 306 (does skip weight (weigh)) or the floor (does skip weight (does weight)) Is positively defined. On the other hand, in the case of many products, the placing place after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303. Therefore, as another example, it is not necessary to give special information to that effect about the product whose placement place after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303. Therefore, for such products, special information to that effect may or may not be set. As the product placement location definition, it is sufficient to define whether the product placement location after reading the barcode is the weighing pan 303, the temporary placement table 306, or the floor surface. It is sufficient to have only information on at least two types of placement locations.

  The control unit 253 includes a barcode scanner 203, LCD 210, touch panel 211, card reading unit 206, numeric keypad 207, card reader / writer 252, receipt printer 251, monitoring camera 205, light emitting unit 218, and deposit / withdrawal device 221. An interface 260 that mediates data communication is connected via a system bus 259 and is controlled by the control unit 253. The control unit 253 controls each of these units, and executes product sales data processing including search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, and settlement processing.

  When the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the search process recognizes the product code specified by this barcode, searches the PLU file, and unit price and weight corresponding to the product code. And get the product display.

  The weight check process is a process for determining whether the weight measured by the scale device 301 after reading the barcode is the same as the weight acquired by the search process. Whether or not they have the sameness is determined by determining whether or not the weighed weight is within an allowable range (for example, between an upper limit value and a lower limit value) of the weight acquired by the search process.

  In the product information registration process, when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the product code specified by the barcode, the unit price searched by the search processing based on the specified product code, Is a process of temporarily registering the transaction information including

  The settlement process is a process for calculating a settlement amount based on the unit price acquired by the search process and executing settlement of the settlement amount. The settlement amount is calculated by calculating the total sales amount including the necessary consumption tax calculation according to the closing operation on the touch panel 211, and is temporarily registered in the RAM 254 or the like or registered in the sales file. In the payment process, the calculated payment amount enables payment using a magnetic card such as cash, a credit card, electronic money, or a contactless IC card that stores and stores an identification number for specifying a bank account. The handling of cash is executed by the deposit / withdrawal device 221 provided in the base housing 202a, and the handling of the magnetic card is executed by the card reader / writer 252 provided in the card reading groove 212 to handle the non-contact IC card. Is executed via the card reading unit 206.

  In this embodiment, the concept of product sales data processing is used as a broad concept including search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, settlement processing, and the like. Therefore, in order to support such merchandise sales data processing in a broad sense, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 displays an operation method on the LCD 210 for the convenience of the customer.

  A communication interface 261 is also connected to the control unit 253 via the system bus 259. The communication interface 261 is connected to the communication network 41 and realizes data communication between the attendant terminal 501 and the store controller 31 and the self-checkout terminal 101.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the scale device 301. The scale device 301 has a load cell unit 351. The load cell unit 351 has one end side of a load cell (not shown) having a structure and shape fixed to the base 352 and a load receiving portion 353 on the other end side. A scale frame 354 is fixed to the load receiving portion 353. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the scale frame 354 has an X shape when viewed from the plane, and the weighing pans 303 are placed at the four corners. The output signal of the load cell unit 351 is amplified by an amplifier 355, converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital converter (AD / C) 356, and analyzed by a calculation unit 357. The arithmetic unit 357 performs weight analysis based on the output signal of the load cell unit 351. The arithmetic unit 357 may have a semiconductor chip configuration in which an operation sequence is written, for example, or a microcomputer configuration that operates by storing an operation program in a RAM or the like. The calculation unit 357 transmits the weight data as the analysis result to the transmission unit 358 and outputs the weight data to the payment terminal 201 via the transmission unit 358.
(3) Attendant terminal FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the attendant terminal 501. The attendant terminal 501 is a microcomputer structurally. That is, the attendant terminal 501 is mainly composed of a microcomputer as an information processing unit that executes information processing. Therefore, the attendant terminal 501 has a CPU 506 that forms the core of the microcomputer. Then, a ROM 507 that fixedly stores fixed data, a RAM 508 that stores variable data in a rewritable manner, a VRAM 509 that generates a display image to be displayed on the display 503, and an HDD 510 are connected to the CPU 506 via the system bus 511. Connected through. As an example, the HDD 510 stores and stores operation programs, various display frames, various files, etc. (all not shown), and all or part of these operation programs, various display frames, various files, etc. are attendant. When the terminal 501 is activated, it is moved to the RAM 508 and used.

  The display 503, the keyboard 504, and the pointing device 505 described above are connected to the CPU 506 through the system bus 511 together with the interface 512 and the communication interface 513, and are controlled by the CPU 506.

  The communication interface 513 is connected to the communication network 41 and realizes data communication between the self-checkout terminal 101 and the store controller 31 and the attendant terminal 501.

In such a configuration, the self-checkout terminal 101 enables self-checkout. At this time, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 and the calculation unit 357 of the scale device 301 execute various calculation processes, drive control processes of the respective units, and the like to support the self-checkout process. That is, the payment terminal 201 displays various user support screens on the LCD 210, and executes the above-described search process, weight check process, and merchandise sales data process. The scale device 301 transmits the measured weight value from the transmission unit 358 to the settlement terminal 201 so as to support the weight check process at the settlement terminal 201. Hereinafter, the flow of the self-checkout process will be described using a flowchart showing the flow of processing, various screen examples, screen transition examples, and the like.
2. Self-Checkout Process (1) Basic Routine of Self-Checkout Process FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the self-checkout process at the self-checkout terminal 101. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 is on standby for determining whether or not a product code has been input (step S11). The product code is input by reading the bar code by the bar code scanner 203 or by an input operation on the touch panel 211 in accordance with the display on the LCD 210.

  When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines the input of the product code (Y in step S11), the control unit 253 executes a search process (step S12). As a result, as described above, the unit price, weight, and product display corresponding to the input product code are acquired.

  The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes a weight check process following the search process (step S12). The weight check process will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes a product information registration process following the weight check process (step S14). That is, when the weight check process is passed, transaction information such as a product code and its unit price is temporarily registered in the RAM 254.

Following the product information registration process, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines the presence / absence of payment designation (step S15). The payment designation is executed by an input operation on the touch panel 211 according to the display on the LCD 210. When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that there is a payment designation (Y in step S15), the control unit 253 executes the above-described payment process (step S16). Details of such settlement processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.
(2) Screen Transition at the Time of Self-Checkout Processing FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition at the time of executing self-checkout processing at the self-checkout terminal 101. The customer puts a product to be purchased in a bag and brings it to the self-checkout terminal 101, and places the product together with the bag on the product bag mounting table 102 of the self-checkout terminal 101.

  At this time, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 generates an initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left) as shown in FIG. In the initial guidance screen A, the customer guides how to handle the goods carried by the customer. There are two types of handling methods to be guided. One handling method is product code input using the barcode scanner 203, and the other is input designation from the touch panel 211. As the former guidance, a letter “Please touch the barcode on the glass surface” is guided along with a picture indicating the state. As the latter guidance, the characters “Products without barcodes will be registered on the next screen” are guided along with a picture showing the next screen.

  At this time, when starting the self-checkout process, the control unit 253 displays information indicating that the device is in standby as operation status information indicating the operation status of whether the device is in standby or product scanning. The data is output toward the assigned attendant terminal 501.

  On the initial guidance screen A, the user can select whether to use the shopping bag or the my basket with the two selection buttons A1 and A2. My basket means a shopping basket that the customer owns. When the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the self-checkout process in the shopping bag 401 is started. When the selection button A2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the self-checkout process in the my basket is started.

  At this time, when the control unit 253 starts the self-checkout process, the control unit 253 displays information indicating that the device is in operation as the operation status information indicating the operation status of whether the device is on standby or scanning the product. The data is output toward the assigned attendant terminal 501.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the selection button A2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 and the self-checkout process in the my basket is started (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 10). The difference between the processing in the shopping bag 401 and the processing in the my basket is the 0 point setting in the scale device 301. When executing the processing with the my basket, the control unit 253 generates an image indicating that the store basket is placed on the weighing pan 303 of the scale device 301 and that the my basket should be spread therein, and displays the image on the LCD 210. To the customer. A set completion button A3 and a return button A4 are displayed on the initial guidance screen A (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 10) after My Basket is selected. When the set completion button A3 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 notifies the scale device 301 that 0 point setting should be executed. When the return button A4 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the screen returns to the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  Although not shown in FIG. 10, when the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), the control unit 253 displays the initial guidance screen. The display content of A is switched to the guidance display when the shopping bag 401 is used. In this guidance display, the opening of the plastic bag 401 held by the bag holder 304 of the scale device 301 is guided. That is, the uppermost registration bag 401 is pulled out from the plurality of registration bags 401 that are closed by the first holding unit 311 of the holding arm 307 and held in a stacked state, and are held by the second holding unit 312. Instruct. At this time, the ear portion 406 of the shopping bag 401 can be removed at the perforation 405 and can be left on the hook 308, so that information is also provided. When the plastic bag 401 is pulled out according to such guidance, the grip 403 of the plastic bag 401 that has been pulled out is positioned at two points where the height of both sides of the arch shape formed in the second holding portion 312 is low. Naturally, the opening 402 is opened. Although not shown in FIG. 10, when the selection button A1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), the set completion button A3 and A return button A4 is displayed.

  On the initial guidance screen A (first column, first row and second row from the left in FIG. 10), a stop button Y and a call button Z are displayed at the lower left. The cancel button Y is a button for instructing to cancel the process, and the call button Z is a button for calling a salesclerk of an information desk (attendant). The control unit 253 generates and causes the cancel button Y and the call button Z to appear as necessary in each screen that transitions according to a series of flows of the self-checkout process.

  In the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), the initial guidance screen A after the selection button A1 or A2 is selected and specified by the touch panel 211 (for example, first from the left in FIG. 10) When the selection button A3 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 in the column (second row), the control unit 253 generates the basic screen B and displays it on the LCD 210 (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10). ). The basic screen B is composed of a guidance display area B1 and a user area B2. The guidance display area B1 is arranged at the upper position, and the user area B2 is arranged at the lower position. The guidance display area B1 displays various kinds of guidance necessary for proceeding with self-checkout. The user area B2 displays various operation buttons and transaction information necessary for proceeding with self-checkout.

  In the guidance display area B1 on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) waiting to read the barcode attached to the product, “Touch the product barcode on the glass surface. Please display "along with a picture indicating the state.

  In the user area B2 on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) waiting to read the barcode attached to the product, a product without a barcode is used as various operation buttons. A product designation button B22 for designating is displayed, and transaction information B21 including the name of the product to be purchased, the number of points, the unit price, and the total price of the product to be purchased is displayed as the transaction information. In the screen example of the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left) shown in FIG. 10, the product has been registered so far: 1 juice, 1 milk, 3 croquettes Represents. When the number of purchased items is increased and cannot be displayed, the scroll button in the transaction information B21 can be touch-designated by the touch panel 211 to enable scroll display. In the same screen, juice and croquettes are displayed with a circle mark on the left side. This indicates a discount product. As an example, whether or not the product is a discount product can be displayed by providing discount information in the PLU file.

  In accordance with the guidance display displayed in the guidance display area B1 on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), the customer holds the product in front of the barcode scanner 203 and attaches it to the product. Have the bar code read. As a result, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 executes the above-described search process and acquires necessary information from the PLU file.

  At this time, the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210, generates the reading confirmation screen C, and displays the generated reading confirmation screen C so as to overlap the user area B2. (Third column, first row from the left in FIG. 10). The reading confirmation screen C includes transaction information such as a unit price, a discount amount, a purchase point, and a purchase amount of the product from which the barcode retrieved from the PLU file is read, and the reference quoted from the product display recorded in the PLU file. Characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product are included. Such a reading confirmation screen C may be displayed using, for example, a general pop-up display technique, or a technique using a display frame that displays the reading confirmation screen C on the basic screen B is used. May be. That is, as a result, it is only necessary that the reading confirmation screen C is displayed so as to overlap the basic screen B, and there is no restriction on the display technology employed for that purpose.

  What is important here is that the reading confirmation screen C is displayed only on the user area B2 in the basic screen B and is not displayed on the guidance display area B1. Thereby, the guidance display in guidance display area | region B1 can be continuously performed with respect to a customer. In the example shown in FIG. 10, when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the first basic screen “Please touch the product barcode on the glass surface” is displayed in the guidance display area B1. The display transitions from the guidance in B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) to the guidance “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (from the left in FIG. 10 to the third Column first row). Although not shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic screen B and a reading confirmation screen C for a product to be placed on the temporary placement table 306. As described above, the payment terminal 201 has a product placement location definition. Therefore, on the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), the barcode of the product for which the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the product placement location definition is read by the barcode scanner 203. In this case, the control unit 253 generates the image illustrated in FIG. 11 that displays the characters “Please place the product on the temporary table” together with the design supporting the work in the guidance display area B1, and displays the image on the LCD 210. To do.

  Returning to the description based on FIG. After the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the control unit 253 waits for the weight check process. For this purpose, the guidance display area B1 after the barcode attached to the product is read has a guidance indicating the text “Please put the product in a shopping bag or my basket” together with a pattern that supports the work for that purpose. Displayed (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 10). Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the temporary placement table 306 is defined as the product placement location definition, the guidance display area B <b> 1 includes the characters “please place the product on the temporary placement table”. The guidance shown with the pattern which supports the work for that is displayed. Therefore, in accordance with these guidances, the customer puts the commodity whose bar code is read by the bar code scanner 203 into the shopping bag 401 or my basket, or puts it on the temporary table 306. As a result, the product packed in the shopping bag 401 and the product placed on the temporary table 306 are loaded on the weighing pan 303 of the weighing device 301, and the load is measured by the load cell unit 351. become. The measurement result by the load cell unit 351 is output to the settlement terminal 201 via the transmission unit 358 as described above. The settlement terminal 201 receives the weighing result from the load cell unit 351 and executes a weight check process. As described above, the weight check process is a process for determining whether the weight measured by the scale device 301 after reading the barcode is the same as the weight obtained from the PLU file by the search process.

As a result of the weight check process, if it is determined that there is no identity between both weights, it means that some operation error or fraud has been made. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 253 stops the progress of the merchandise sales data processing, changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the tip of the display pole 217 from blue to red, The fact that the fraud has been performed is notified to, for example, a salesclerk of an attendant. As a result of stopping the progress of the merchandise sales data processing, the reading confirmation screen C remains displayed as the display screen of the LCD 210, and the customer is shown that the processing does not proceed.
(3) Weight Check Process (1) First Example Here, the flow of the weight check process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of weight data reception processing from the scale device 301 included in the weight check processing. The scale device 301 transmits the result of weighing by the load cell unit 351 to the self-checkout terminal 101 as weight data. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 performs touch designation by the touch panel 211 of the selection button A1 in the initial initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) shown in FIG. If the start of the self-checkout process is designated by, the reception of weight data is awaited (step S51). When it is determined that weight data is received (Y in step S51), the received weight data is temporarily stored in the RAM 254 as the current weight (step S52).

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight check file. When the start of the self-checkout process is designated, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 generates a weight check file WCF illustrated in FIG. The weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A is used in the weight check process shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, and the current weight, original weight, and weight reduction temporarily stored in step S52 in FIG. 12 occur. History (decreasing weight 1, decreasing weight 2, decreasing weight 3,...) Is temporarily stored. The weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B is used in the weight check process shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, and temporarily stores the current weight and the original weight temporarily stored in step S52 in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the weight check process. First, when the start of the self-checkout process is designated, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 enters a registration waiting state for registering product information. In the weight check process, in this state, the apparatus waits for determination of whether or not a product code has been input (step S101). If the input of the product code is determined (Y in step S101), the process proceeds to a product bagging waiting phase whose processing contents are shown in FIG. 16 (step S102). The merchandise bagging waiting phase ends when the merchandise with the merchandise code input is placed on the placing portion (the placing stand 303a or the temporary placing stand 306) of the scale device 301 and passes the weight check (step of FIG. 16). (See S209 and Step S215). On the other hand, if it is determined that the product code is waiting for input (N in step S101), the current weight stored in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A is referred to (step S103). Similarly, a change in weight with respect to the original weight stored in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A is determined (step S104). The determination that the product code is waiting to be input (N in step S101) is determined when the start of the self-checkout process is designated and the product code has not yet been input, or the product bagging phase for the previous product is This is done in either case of normal termination.

  Here, the original value of the original weight is 0 (g). Then, as shown in step S215 of FIG. 16, the process proceeds to the product bagging waiting phase (step S102), and the product to which the product code is input is placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary placing table 306) of the scale device 301. When the weight check is passed after mounting (Y in step S209 in FIG. 16), the original weight is updated to the current weight value in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. Therefore, the original weight is 0 (g) when no product code is input in one transaction, and after that, when the product code is input, the product for which the product code is input. In principle, this means a measured value by the scale device 301 in a state where it is placed on the placement unit (the placement base 303a or the temporary placement base 306) of the scale device 301. Therefore, as long as normal operation is performed, it should not be determined in step S104 that there is a change in weight relative to the original weight. Therefore, if it is not determined in step S104 that there is a weight change with respect to the original weight (N in step S104), the process returns to the determination of whether or not the product code is input in step S101 through the processes in steps S105 and S106 described later.

  On the other hand, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, the current weight exceeds the original weight. . Alternatively, if the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the current weight will be less than the original weight. Therefore, in step S107 after it is determined that there is a weight change with respect to the original weight (Y in step S104), it is determined whether the weight has increased, in other words, whether the current weight has increased or decreased from the original weight. To do.

  If the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that the current weight has increased from the original weight (Y in step S107), it performs error notification through the processing of step S108 and step S109 described later ( Step S110). That is, in this case, an operation error or fraud that an item for which no item code has been input has been placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been made. The control unit 253 changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the distal end of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and indicates that the operation error or fraud has been performed, for example, an attendant. To the store clerk. Further, a weight error screen D1 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 15). Thereafter, error status = 1 is set in the RAM 254 (step S111), and the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S103.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a weight error screen D1 when a product whose barcode has not been read as a result of the weight check process is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. It is a schematic diagram shown. When it is determined that the current weight has increased from the original weight (Y in Step S107), the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the entire basic screen B and generates a weight error screen D1 as illustrated in FIG. Overlaid on the basic screen B. On the weight error screen D1, characters “A product whose bar code has not been read are in a bag. Please remove the product” are displayed together with a pattern for supporting the work.

  Thereafter, if the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 does not determine the change in the weight with respect to the original weight in Step S104 (N in Step S104), the mounting unit (the mounting table 303a) of the scale device 301 is caused by an operation error or fraud. Alternatively, the product placed on the temporary placing table 306) has been returned to its original state, so that the error status = 1 is determined in step S105 (Y in step S105), and the error canceling process is performed in step S106. Execute. The error release processing is performed by deleting the error notification and setting the error status = 0. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D1. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that the current weight has decreased from the original weight (N in Step S107), on condition that the error status is not 1 (N in Step S112), FIG. The reduced weight is recorded in a history in the weight check file WCF shown in (a) (step S113), and the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (step S114). That is, in this case, the product after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been removed. As an example, such an event is expected to occur frequently in the case of a customer with children. That is, while the parent is operating the self-checkout terminal 101, the child takes away a product, such as a confectionery, once placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. This is likely to occur. Therefore, in this example, when such an event occurs, the merchandise information itself is already registered, so that the event is allowed without being treated as an error. That is, as described above, the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (step S114). In the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13 (a), the reduced weight is reduced each time the weight reduction is determined (N in step S107) before the product bagging waiting phase (step S102) is started. The history is recorded one after another, such as weight 1, reduced weight 2, reduced weight 3,... (Step S113).

  However, if it is determined in step S107 that the weight increase is determined (Y in step S107), a product for which no product code is input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. Even if it is determined that the weight has been reduced thereafter (N in Step S107), it was placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, even if the operation is incorrect or illegal. The product is not necessarily removed. For example, the weight increase may be caused by illegally putting an expensive product into the plastic bag 401, and then the weight reduction may be determined in step S107 by removing the low price product from the plastic bag 401. In this case, if the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight, an operation error or fraud is overlooked. Therefore, before updating the original weight of the weight check file WCF to the current weight (step S114), it is determined whether or not the error status = 1 in step S112. If the error status = 1 (Y in step S112). Again, the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S103. That is, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, it is confirmed that the product has been reliably returned to its original state. After that (Step S106, N in Step S112), the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (Step S114).

  In addition, after the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary table again). There is a possibility of being placed on the cradle 306). As an example, after the child has taken away the confectionery or the like placed on the placing table 303a by putting it in the plastic bag 401, the parent notices it and puts it in the plastic bag 401 again. is there. In this case, since the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight reduced by the process of step S114, a change in weight relative to the original weight is determined (Y in step S104), and an increase in weight is determined ( If it is as it is (Y in step S107), an error notification is generated (step S110). However, it is not appropriate for operation. Therefore, in this case, cause estimation processing is executed (step S108), and it is determined whether or not the reduced weight in step S107 has increased (step S109). That is, in the cause estimation process in step S108, the original weight is determined based on whether or not the increased weight matches one of the combinations of the decreased weights recorded in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. It is estimated whether or not the product removed from the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 that is the cause of the reduction is placed again on the placement unit. And when it determines with the goods removed from the mounting part (the mounting base 303a or the temporary mounting base 306) of the scale apparatus 301 which is the cause of the reduction | decrease of original weight having been mounted again on the said mounting part. (Y in step S109), the process proceeds to step S114, and the original weight of the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A is updated to the current weight.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of weight check processing in the product bagging waiting phase. First, when the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines input of a product code in step S101 in FIG. 14 (Y in step S101), the control unit 253 proceeds to a product bagging waiting phase (step S102). In the merchandise bagging waiting phase shown in the flow of processing in FIG. 16, a bagging message is first displayed on the LCD 210 (step S201). The bagging message is indicated by the guidance “Please put the product in a plastic bag or my basket” in the guidance display area B1 in FIG. 10, and “Product is temporarily placed in the guidance display area B1 in FIG. "Please put it on".

  In subsequent step S202, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 searches the weight data file WDF (see FIG. 30) constituting the product data file, sets the set weight of the corresponding product defined as the set weight, and its The allowable width (upper limit allowable value and lower limit allowable value) is acquired, and the weight A is obtained. This weight A is the range of the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value for the set weight respectively stored in the weight data file WDF shown in FIG. For example, when the set weight is 310 (g) and the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are 10 (g), the weight A is 300 to 320 (g).

  Subsequently, the current weight temporarily stored as the current weight in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A by step S52 in FIG. 12 is referred (step S203), and temporarily stored in the weight check file WCF. A change in weight with respect to the original weight is determined (step S204).

  At this time, in the product bagging waiting phase, the product for which the product code has been input should be placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the self-checkout terminal 101. On the other hand, until the product is placed on the placement unit, the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S203 through steps S205 and S206 described later. If the product is placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary table 306), a change in the weight of the current weight with respect to the original weight is determined in step S204 (Y in step S204), and the original in step S207. An increase in the current weight relative to the weight is determined (Y in step S207). Therefore, in this case, the present weight−original weight = weight B is set (step S208), and the identity between the weight A and the weight B acquired in step S202 is determined (step S209). The identity determination of the weight A and the weight B is made based on whether or not the weight B is included in the range of the weight A. As a result, when the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that the weight A and the weight B are identical (Y in step S209), the control unit 253 sets the original weight in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. The weight value is updated (step S215), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when a product for which a product code has not been input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, the product and the product code for which the product code has been input. As long as there is no identity with the weight, the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined (N in step S209). Therefore, in this case, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 performs the above-described error notification through steps S210 to S212 described later (step S213). That is, in this case, an operation error or fraud that an item for which no item code has been input has been placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been made. The control unit 253 changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the distal end of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and indicates that the operation error or fraud has been performed, for example, an attendant. To the store clerk. Further, a weight error screen D1 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 15). Thereafter, error status = 1 is set in the RAM 254 (step S214), and the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S203.

  Thereafter, if the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 does not determine the change in the weight with respect to the original weight in Step S204 (N in Step S204), the mounting unit (the mounting table 303a) of the scale device 301 is caused by an operation error or fraud. Alternatively, the product placed on the temporary placing table 306) has been returned to its original state, so that the error status = 1 is passed in step S205 (Y in step S205), and error release processing is performed in step S206. Execute. The error release processing is performed by deleting the error notification and setting the error status = 0. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D1. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  If the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines in step S207 that the current weight has decreased from the original weight (N in step S207), the error status is not 1 (N in step S216). ), A history of the reduced weight is recorded in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13A (step S217), and the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (step S218). That is, in this case, the product after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been removed. As an example, such an event is expected to occur frequently in the case of a customer with children. In more detail, while the parent is operating the self-checkout terminal 101, a product such as a confectionery once placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is used as a child. Is likely to be taken away. Therefore, in this example, when such an event occurs, the merchandise information itself is already registered, so that the event is allowed without being treated as an error. That is, as described above, the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (step S218). Then, the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S203. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 reduces the weight when products after the product code is input are successively removed from the mounting unit (the mounting table 303a or the temporary mounting table 306) of the scale device 301. (N in step S207), the history is recorded in the weight check file WCF one after another in the order of reduced weight 1, reduced weight 2, reduced weight 3,... (Step S217). .

  However, when the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined in step S209 (N in step S209), the product for which the product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary placement) of the scale device 301. Since it should be placed on the table 306), even if it is determined that the weight has been reduced thereafter (N in step S207), an operation error or an illegal placement of the scale device 301 (the table 303a or the temporary table 306) The product placed on is not necessarily removed. For example, although the identity of the weight A and the weight B is not determined by illegally placing a high-priced product in the plastic bag 401 (N in step S209), the low-priced product is then taken out from the plastic bag 401. In step S207, weight reduction may have been determined. In this case, if the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight, an operation error or fraud is overlooked. Therefore, before updating the original weight of the weight check file WCF to the current weight (step S218), it is determined whether or not the error status = 1 in step S216, and if the error status = 1 (Y in step S216). Again, the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S203. That is, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, it is confirmed that the product has been reliably returned to its original state. After that (step S206, N in step S216), the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight (step S218).

  In addition, after the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary table again). There is a possibility of being placed on the cradle 306). As an example, after the child has taken away the confectionery or the like placed on the placing table 303a by putting it in the plastic bag 401, the parent notices it and puts it in the plastic bag 401 again. is there. In this case, since the original weight of the weight check file WCF is updated to the current weight reduced by the process of step S218, a change in weight with respect to the original weight is determined (Y in step S204), and an increase in weight is determined ( The current weight-original weight = weight B calculated in step S207 and step S208 is the weight of the product for which the product information already entered in the shopping bag 401 is already registered. For this reason, the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined in step S209, and an error notification is generated (step S213). However, it is not appropriate for operation. Therefore, in this case, cause estimation processing is executed (step S210), and the product information registered product information already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is taken. After leaving, it is determined again whether or not it has been placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary table 306) (step S211 and step S212). That is, in the cause estimation process in step S210, the original weight of the original weight is determined based on whether or not the increased weight matches one of the reduced weight combinations recorded in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. It is estimated whether or not the product removed from the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 that is the cause of the reduction is placed again on the placement unit.

  At this time, two types of situations can be considered as a situation in which the product information already registered is returned. One is that the product for which the product code is input but the product information is not registered, and the product for which the product information has already been registered, are returned to the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. Is the case. The other is a case where only the products for which product information has already been registered are returned to the mounting unit (the mounting table 303a or the temporary mounting table 306) of the scale device 301. In the former case, the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined in step S209. This is because the weight B is increased by the amount of the product for which product information has already been registered. Therefore, in this case, it is determined whether the weight of the product already registered in the product information, which is the reduced weight, is weighted to the weight of the unregistered product (step S211), and the result is positive. In this case (Y in step S211), since there should be no operation mistake or fraud, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 uses the original weight in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. (Step S215), and the process ends. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is determined whether or not the originally reduced weight in step S207 has increased (step S212). If the result is affirmative (Y in step S212), the process proceeds to step S218. The process proceeds to update the original weight of the weight check file WCF shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the weight check process, the identity between the weight A and the weight B is determined in step S209 in FIG. 16 (Y in step S209), or the reduced weight is determined in step S211 in FIG. 16 on the condition that it is determined that the weight of the product that has already been registered in the product information is weighted to the weight of the unregistered product (Y in step S211), the original weight in step S215 in FIG. The process is not completed unless the process of updating to the weight value is performed.

(2) Another Example FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the weight check process. First, when the start of the self-checkout process is designated, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 enters a registration waiting state for registering product information. In the weight check process, in this state, the apparatus waits for determination of whether or not a product code has been input (step S151). If it is determined that the product code is input (Y in step S151), the process proceeds to a product bagging waiting phase whose processing contents are shown in FIG. 19 (step S152). The product bagging waiting phase ends when the product with the product code input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 and passes the weight check (step of FIG. 19). (See S259 and Step S265). On the other hand, when it is determined that the product code is waiting for input (N in step S151), the current weight stored in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B is referred to (step S153). Similarly, a change in weight with respect to the original weight stored in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B is determined (step S154). The determination that the product code is waiting to be input (N in step S151) is determined when the start of the self-checkout process is designated and the product code has not yet been input, or the product bagging phase for the previous product is This is done in either case of normal termination.

  Here, the original value of the original weight is 0 (g). Then, as shown in step S265 of FIG. 19, the process proceeds to the product bagging waiting phase (step S152), and the product to which the product code is input is placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary placing table 306) of the scale device 301. When the weight check is passed after mounting (Y in step S259 in FIG. 19), the original weight is updated to the current weight value in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B. Therefore, the original weight is 0 (g) when no product code is input in one transaction, and after that, when the product code is input, the product for which the product code is input. In principle, this means a measured value by the scale device 301 in a state where it is placed on the placement unit (the placement base 303a or the temporary placement base 306) of the scale device 301. Therefore, as long as normal operation is performed, it should not be determined in step S154 that there is a change in weight relative to the original weight. Therefore, if it is not determined in step S154 that there is a weight change with respect to the original weight (N in step S154), the process returns to the determination of whether or not the product code is input in step S151.

  On the other hand, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, the current weight exceeds the original weight. . Alternatively, if the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the current weight will be less than the original weight. Therefore, in step S155 after it is determined that there is a weight change with respect to the original weight (Y in step S154), it is determined whether the weight has increased, in other words, whether the current weight has increased or decreased from the original weight. To do.

  When it is determined that the current weight has increased from the original weight (Y in step S155), the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 performs error notification (step S110). That is, in this case, an operation error or fraud that an item for which no item code has been input has been placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been made. The control unit 253 changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the distal end of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and indicates that the operation error or fraud has been performed, for example, an attendant. To the store clerk. Further, a weight error screen D1 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 15).

  Thereafter, the current weight shown in FIG. 13B temporarily stored in step S52 shown in FIG. 12 is referred to (step S157), and if the current weight = the original weight is determined (step S158), the weighing is performed due to an operation error or fraud. Since the product placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary placement table 306) of the apparatus 301 is returned to the original state after removal, an error canceling process is executed in step S159. The error cancellation process is performed by deleting the error notification. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D1. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  If the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that the current weight has decreased from the original weight (N in Step S155), the mounting unit (the mounting table 303a or the temporary mounting table 306) of the scale device 301 has already been used. The product after registration of the product information placed on is supposed to have been removed. As an example, such an event is expected to occur frequently in the case of a customer with children. That is, while the parent is operating the self-checkout terminal 101, the child takes away a product, such as a confectionery, once placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. This is likely to occur. Therefore, in this example, when such an event occurs, error notification is executed (step S160). In other words, in this case, the control unit 253 changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the tip of the display pole 217 from blue to red, for example, to inform that the operation error or fraud has been performed. Notify the staff of the attendant. Further, a weight error screen D2 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 18).

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight error screen D2 when a product has been removed from the mounting table as a result of the weight check process. When it is determined that the current weight has decreased from the original weight (N in Step S155), the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the entire basic screen B and generates a weight error screen D2 as illustrated in FIG. Overlaid on the basic screen B. On the weight error screen D2, the characters “Please return the item removed from the bag to the bag” are displayed together with a pattern that supports the work for that purpose.

  After that, referring to the current weight shown in FIG. 13B temporarily stored in step S52 shown in FIG. 12 (step S161) and determining that the current weight = the original weight (step S162), the weighing device 301 is already loaded. Since the product information registered product placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary placement table 306) is removed and then returned to the placement unit, error cancellation processing is performed in step S163. Execute. The error cancellation process is performed by deleting the error notification. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D2. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the weight check process in the product bagging waiting phase. First, when the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines input of a product code in step S151 in FIG. 17 (Y in step S151), the control unit 253 proceeds to a product bagging waiting phase (step S152). In the product bagging waiting phase, which shows the flow of processing in FIG. 19, a bagging message is first displayed on the LCD 210 (step S251). The bagging message is indicated by the guidance “Please put the product in a plastic bag or my basket” in the guidance display area B1 in FIG. 10, and “Product is temporarily placed in the guidance display area B1 in FIG. "Please put it on".

  In subsequent step S252, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 searches the weight data file WDF (see FIG. 30) constituting the product data file, sets the set weight of the corresponding product defined as the set weight, and its weight The allowable width (upper limit allowable value and lower limit allowable value) is acquired, and the weight A is obtained. This weight A is the range of the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value for the set weight respectively stored in the weight data file WDF shown in FIG. For example, when the set weight is 310 (g) and the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are 10 (g), the weight A is 300 to 320 (g).

  Subsequently, the current weight temporarily stored as the current weight in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B in step S52 in FIG. 12 is referred to (step S253), and temporarily stored in the weight check file WCF. A change in weight with respect to the original weight is determined (step S254).

  At this time, in the product bagging waiting phase, the product for which the product code has been input should be placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the self-checkout terminal 101. On the other hand, until the product is placed on the placement unit, the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S253 through steps S255 and S256 described later. If the product is placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary table 306), a change in weight of the current weight with respect to the original weight is determined in step S254 (Y in step S254), and the original in subsequent step S257. An increase in the current weight relative to the weight is determined (Y in step S257). Therefore, in this case, the present weight−original weight = weight B is set (step S258), and the identity between the weight A and the weight B acquired in step S252 is determined (step S259). The identity determination of the weight A and the weight B is made based on whether or not the weight B is included in the range of the weight A. As a result, when the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that the weight A and the weight B are the same (Y in step S259), the processing in steps S263 and S264 described later is performed, and then FIG. In the weight check file WCF shown in (2), the original weight is updated to the current weight value (step S265), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, the product and the product code for which the product code is input. As long as there is no identity in the weight, the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined (N in step S259). Therefore, in this case, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 performs the above-described error notification through the process of step S260 described later (step S261). That is, in this case, an operation error or fraud that an item for which no item code has been input has been placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been made. The control unit 253 changes the emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the distal end of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and indicates that the operation error or fraud has been performed, for example, an attendant. To the store clerk. Further, a weight error screen D1 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 15). Thereafter, error status = 1 is set in the RAM 254 (step S262), and the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S253.

  Thereafter, if the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 does not determine a change in weight with respect to the original weight in step S254 (N in step S254), the mounting unit (mounting table 303a) of the scale device 301 is caused by an operation error or fraud. Alternatively, since the product placed on the temporary placing table 306) has been returned to its original state, the error status = 1 is determined in step S255 (Y in step S255), and the error release processing is performed in step S256. Execute. The error release processing is performed by deleting the error notification and setting the error status = 0. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D1. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  If the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines in step S257 that the current weight has decreased from the original weight (N in step S257), the error status is not 1 (N in step S266). ), Error notification is executed (step S267). That is, in this case, the product after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 should have been removed. As an example, such an event is expected to occur frequently in the case of a customer with children. In more detail, while the parent is operating the self-checkout terminal 101, a product such as a confectionery once placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is used as a child. Is likely to be taken away. In such a case, error notification is executed (step S267). That is, the control unit 253 changes the light emission color of the light emitting unit 218 provided at the tip of the display pole 217 from blue to red, and indicates that the operation error or fraud has occurred, for example, an attendant (attendant) ) Further, a weight error screen D2 is displayed on the LCD 210 of the self-checkout terminal 101 (see FIG. 18). Thereafter, error status = 2 is set in the RAM 254 (step S268).

  Then, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 refers to the current weight temporarily stored as the current weight in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B by step S52 in FIG. 12 (step S269), A change in weight with respect to the original weight temporarily stored in the weight check file WCF is determined (step S270). If there is a change in weight (Y in step S270), it is determined whether the weight is increased or decreased. Determination is made (step S271). In this case, since the cause is that the product after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, step S270 is performed. In step S269, it is determined that the current weight referred to in step S269 has a change in weight with respect to the original weight (Y in step S270), and in step S271, it is determined that the change is a decrease in weight (N in step S271). . If it is determined in step S271 that the change in weight is a decrease in weight (N in step S271), the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S269.

  On the other hand, after the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the product is returned to the placement unit again. In this case, it is determined in step S270 that there is no change in the current weight with respect to the original weight (N in step S270). Therefore, in this case, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes error cancellation processing in step S272. The error release processing is performed by deleting the error notification and setting the error status = 0. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D2. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  In addition, after the product information registered product already placed on the placement unit (mounting table 303a or temporary table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the product code is input, but the product information is not yet received. When the product is returned to the placement unit together with the registered product, it is determined in step S270 that the current weight has changed with respect to the original weight (Y in step S270), and then the change is weight in step S271. It should be determined that it is an increase (Y in step S271). Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S258. That is, the present weight−original weight = weight B is set (step S258), and the identity between the weight A and the weight B acquired in step S252 is determined (step S259). The situation assumed here is that the product code after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed and the product code is input. However, since the product information is returned to the placement unit together with the unregistered product, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines the identity between the weight A and the weight B (step Y of S259). At this time, since the error status = 2 is maintained, the error status = 2 is determined in step S263 (Y in step S263), and the error canceling process is executed in step S264. The error release processing is performed by deleting the error notification and setting the error status = 0. That is, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B and deletes the weight error screen D2. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10). Thereafter, the original weight is updated to the current weight value in the weight check file WCF shown in FIG. 13B (step S265), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, as another situation where it is determined that the weight increase has occurred in step S271, it has been once mounted on the mounting portion (the mounting table 303a or the temporary mounting table 306) of the scale device 301 but removed. It is also assumed that another product that is heavier than the product after registration of the product information that has been registered and that has not yet been entered with the product code is placed on the placement unit. In this case, in this example, the product code after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed and the product code is input. However, the process proceeds to step S258 without distinction from the case where the product information is returned to the placement unit together with the product whose product information is not registered. That is, the present weight−original weight = weight B is set (step S258), and the identity between the weight A and the weight B acquired in step S252 is determined (step S259). However, the situation assumed here is heavier than the product after registration of the product information that has been removed from the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, and the product code Is a situation in which another product that has not yet been entered has been placed on the placement unit. For this reason, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 does not determine the identity between the weight A and the weight B in step S259 (N in step S259). At this time, since the error status = 2 remains, the error status = 2 is determined in step S260 (Y in step S260), and the process returns to the current weight reference process in step S269. That is, according to this example, when the product after the product information registration already placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301 is removed, the removed product is again Unless it is placed on the placement section, the processing routine of steps S269 to S271 cannot be escaped.

  Furthermore, when the identity between the weight A and the weight B is not determined in step S259 (N in step S259), the product for which the product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement) of the scale device 301. Since it should be placed on the table 306), even if it is determined that the weight is reduced thereafter (N in step S257), an operation error or an illegal placement of the scale device 301 (the table 303a or the temporary table 306). The product placed on is not necessarily removed. For example, although the identity of the weight A and the weight B is not determined by erroneously placing a certain product in the plastic bag 401 due to an operation error (N in Step S259), another product is then placed in the plastic bag 401. The weight loss may have been determined in step S257. In this case, if it is determined in step S257 that weight loss has been determined (N in step S257), if the process proceeds to step S267, there is a high possibility that the process routine in steps S269 to S271 cannot be exited. . Therefore, after determining the weight loss (N in Step S257), it is determined whether or not the error status = 1 in Step S266. If the error status = 1 (Y in Step S266), the current state of Step S253 is again performed. Return to the weight reference process. That is, when a product for which a product code is not input is placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301, it is confirmed that the product has been reliably returned to its original state. After that (step S256, N of step S266), the process proceeds to step S267.

  As described above, the weight check process is performed based on the condition that the identity between the weight A and the weight B is determined in step S259 in FIG. 19 (Y in step S259). The process is not completed unless the process of updating the weight to the current weight value is performed. Therefore, if the weight check process is not completed, the subsequent merchandise information registration process (step S14 in FIG. 9) is not performed and the merchandise sales data process does not proceed. In other words, when the error notification process (step S156, step S161) in FIG. 17 or the error notification process (step S261, step S267) in FIG. 19 is executed, the product information registration process (step in FIG. 9) is executed. S14) will be canceled. On the other hand, in the product bagging waiting phase, when an error notification in the case of weight reduction is made (step S267), it has already been placed on the placement unit (the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306) of the scale device 301. The weight check process can be normally terminated even when the product information to be registered with the removed product as well as the product after the product information registration has been removed is placed on the placement unit. (Y in step S271, Y in step S259).

(3) Skip Weight Check Process FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic screen B and a read confirmation screen C for a product not subject to weight check. As described above, the payment terminal 201 has a weight check execution definition. Therefore, the control unit 253 refers to the weight check execution definition, and displays the confirmation button X on the reading confirmation screen C for the product defined as not checking the weight, as illustrated in FIG. Skip the check process. In the reading confirmation screen C, when the confirmation button X is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 allows the product sales data process to proceed and restores the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B to the original. The reading confirmation screen C is erased. As a result, the display on the LCD 210 returns to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10).

  In this way, the weight check process is skipped for products not subject to weight check. On the other hand, it is not necessary to guide the customer to skip the weight check process. Rather, the guidance may trigger an illegal act. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20 (a), in spite of skipping the weight check process, the guidance display area B1 after the barcode attached to the product is read is displayed in the guidance display area B1. A guidance is displayed showing the words “Please put in the basket and press the confirm button” along with a picture to support the work. Such a guidance display is the same display as a product that does not skip the weight check process, except for the guidance “please press the confirmation button”. Thereby, it can be made difficult for the customer to know whether or not to perform the weight check process.

However, as described based on FIG. 11, the control unit 253 displays the product placement location after reading the barcode in the guidance display area B <b> 1 in accordance with the product placement location definition. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 20B, in the case of a product defined in the product placement location definition with the floor surface as a placement location, the control unit 253 displays “a product is a shopping bag base” in the guidance display area B1. "Place it next to and press the confirm button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the work.
(4) Product information registration by screen input Returning to the description based on FIG. As described above, the first initial guidance screen A (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) has the text “Register products without barcode on the next screen” as “Next screen. ”And a picture showing“ In response, the control unit 253 displays “Yasai” in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) as an image for registering a product without a barcode. , A product designation button B22 including six types of touch buttons of “fruit”, “sazai”, “fish shell”, “others”, and “assortment” is prepared. Therefore, the customer touches and designates the product designation button B22 with the touch panel 211 when the product to be purchased is not attached with a barcode. When any one of these product designation buttons B22 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (second column from the left in FIG. 9). 2nd line).

  A department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left) shown in FIG. 10 shows an example in which “Sozai” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211. In this case, as the department selection screen E, various foods included in the category of “Sazai” are displayed in a scrollable manner by scroll buttons with a total of 16 types of 4 columns and 4 rows. On the department selection screen E, a return button E1 is also displayed. When the return button E1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the department selection screen E is switched to the transaction information B21 and displayed on the basic screen B (FIG. 10). The display returns to the second column, first row) from the left.

  When the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 10), the control unit 253 displays “ “Please press the button on your product” is displayed along with a picture that supports the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, if the customer touches and designates one food item from the department selection screen E (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 10) with the touch panel 211, the food item is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B. The department registration screen F (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 10) appears. The department registration screen F (third column, second row from the left) shown in FIG. 10 shows an example in which “Tamago Tofu” is designated by touch. In this case, the department registration screen F for “Tamago Tofu” appears. The department registration screen F includes transaction information such as the unit price of the product, the discount amount, the number of purchases, and the purchase amount, and includes characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product. Includes a numeric keypad. The numeric keypad enables the change input of the purchase points whose default setting is one point. These various data are cited from information recorded in a department file provided separately from the PLU file in the payment terminal 201 as an example. The department registration screen F includes a cancel button F1 and a determination button F2. When the cancel button F1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the screen returns to the screen (second column, second row from the left in FIG. 10) in which the department selection screen E is displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B.

  When the department registration screen F is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 10), the control unit 253 displays “when changing the score” in the guidance display area B1. "Enter from the numeric keys and press the" Enter "button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the task. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, on the department registration screen F (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 10), if the purchase point is changed and input with the numeric keypad as necessary, the enter button F2 is touch-designated with the touch panel 211. The department registration for the selected food, “Tamago Tofu” in the example shown in FIG. 10, is completed by the number of purchase points changed or input by default or the numeric keypad. Therefore, the control unit 253 reduces the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210, generates the reading confirmation screen C, and displays the generated reading confirmation screen C so as to overlap the user area B2 ( The fourth column, the second row from the left in FIG. 10). Further, the control unit 253 shifts the display of the guidance display area B1 in the basic screen B to a display of “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (in the fourth column from the left in FIG. 10). 2nd line). Although not shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

Here, when five types of product designation buttons B22 “yasai”, “fruit”, “sozai”, “fish shell”, and “others” are touch-designated by the touch panel 211 and the department is registered, that is, “ When the product designation button B22 other than “Assembly” is touch-designated and department registration is performed, the processing after the reading confirmation screen C is displayed over the user area B2 in the basic screen B is a weight check processing. is there. In other words, it has the same processing as that when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203 described above. Therefore, description of the subsequent processing is omitted.
(5) Product Information Registration of Packed Products (1) Packed Product Input Method FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition when executing a self-checkout process for packed products. “Assembly” set in the product designation button B22 in the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) means a packed product. That is, in a supermarket or the like, it is common practice to install a corner where various food items are arranged so that customers can freely pack fried foods, tempura, yakitori, etc. The product to be packed at such a corner is “packing”.

  In the first basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), when the product designation button B22 “packing” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 is displayed on the LCD 210. In the basic screen B, the brightness of the user area B2 is reduced, screen generation is performed so that the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2 is switched to the department selection screen E, and this department selection screen E is displayed on the LCD 210. (First column, first row from the left in FIG. 21). On the department selection screen E, various foods included in the category of “packing” are displayed in a scrollable manner by a scroll button with a total of 16 types of 4 columns and 4 rows.

  When the transaction information B21 of the user area B2 in the basic screen B is switched and displayed on the department selection screen E (first column, first row from the left in FIG. 21), the control unit 253 displays “ “Please press the button on your product” is displayed along with a picture that supports the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, when one food item is touch-designated on the touch panel 211 from the department selection screen E for “packing”, the control unit 253 generates a department registration screen F for the food item, and the user in the basic screen B The department registration screen F generated in the user area B2 is displayed with the brightness of the area B2 lowered (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 21). FIG. 21 shows an example in which “croquette” is touch-designated. In this case, the department registration screen F for “croquette” appears (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 21). The department registration screen F includes transaction information such as the unit price of the product, the discount amount, the number of purchases, and the purchase amount, and includes characters based on the text data of the product name of the product and a pattern based on the image data of the product. Includes a numeric keypad. The numeric keypad enables the change input of the purchase points whose default setting is one point. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the number of purchase points is changed and input by 2 using the numeric keypad.

  When the department registration screen F is displayed in the user area B2 in the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 21), the control unit 253 displays “when changing the score” in the guidance display area B1. "Enter from the numeric keys and press the" Enter "button" is displayed along with a picture that supports the task. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, when the department registration screen F (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 21) is used, the purchase number is changed and input using the numeric keypad as necessary, and then the decision button F2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211. The department registration for the selected food, “croquette” in the example shown in FIG. 21, is completed by the number of purchase points changed or input by default or numeric keypad. Thereafter, the control unit 253 displays the department selection screen E again without displaying the reading confirmation screen C (for example, the fourth column and the second row from the left in FIG. 10) (the third from the left in FIG. 21). Column first row). However, on the department selection screen E for the second and subsequent times (first column, third row from the left in FIG. 21), a decision button E2 is displayed instead of the return button E1. Therefore, the food displayed on the department selection screen E can be registered repeatedly until the enter button E2 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211.

  In the second and subsequent department selection screen E (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 21), the control unit 253 presses the button of the item you have in the guidance display area B1, and displays all the items in the pack. When the input of the product is completed, the text “please press the“ OK ”button” is displayed together with a pattern that supports the work. Thereby, the customer can know what operation should be performed next.

  Therefore, according to the guidance, the customer repeats the operation for registration on the department selection screen E and the department registration screen F for all the foods packed by himself. Then, when the registration work for all the food items in the pack is completed, the customer touches the enter button E2 with the touch panel 211. As a result, the control unit 253 generates the reading confirmation screen C, and displays the reading confirmation screen C generated in the user area B2 in an overlapping manner while reducing the brightness of the user area B2 in the basic screen B (FIG. 21). 3rd column 2nd row from the left). In addition, the control unit 253 shifts the display of the guidance display area B1 in the basic screen B to a display of “please place the product in a shopping bag or my basket” (in the third column from the left in FIG. 21). 2nd line). Although not shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 253 changes not only the characters but also the pattern displayed in the guidance display area B <b> 1 to a pattern that supports the operation of putting the product into the shopping bag or my basket. By displaying the reading confirmation screen C without overlapping the guidance display area B1, the customer can easily confirm the guidance display and the transition in the guidance display area B1.

(2) Second weight check process Thereafter, a weight check process is executed. In this case, in the self-checkout process of the packed product, a weight check process different from the weight check process described above is executed. For convenience, the above-described weight check process will be referred to as a first weight check process, and the weight check process for a “packaged” product will be referred to as a second weight check process.

  As described above, in the user area B2 (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) in the first basic screen B, “easy”, “fruit”, A product designation button B22 including six kinds of touch buttons of “sazazai”, “fish shell”, “others”, and “assortment” is displayed. The product finally specified based on the touch specification of these product specification buttons B22 is not set in the PLU file but is a non-PLU product set in the department file. Among these products, the non-designated items that are finally designated based on the touch designation of the product designation button B22 including the touch buttons of “yasai”, “fruit”, “sozai”, “fish shell”, and “others”. For PLU products, corresponding weight data is set in the department file. Therefore, the first weight check process can be performed. On the other hand, the corresponding weight data is not set in the department file for the non-PLU product that is finally specified based on the touch specification of the product specification button B22 including the “packing” touch button. For this reason, the first weight check process cannot be executed, and the second weight check process is executed.

  In the second weight check process, it is determined whether a product is placed on the weighing pan 303 based on the output from the weighing device 301. That is, in the scale device 301, if the measured weight increases even a little, it is determined that the registered packed product is correctly placed in the shopping bag 401 or my basket, or placed on the temporary table 306. In other words, a simple weight check process is executed.

  In this case, it is not necessary to guide the customer whether or not the second weight check process is executed, which only determines whether or not the product is placed on the weighing pan 303. On the other hand, it can also trigger fraud. Therefore, in the standby screen (the third column, the second row from the left in FIG. 21) in which the reading confirmation screen C is displayed over the user area B2 in the basic screen B, the guidance display area B1 displays “Product as a shopping bag”. Or, please put it in my basket "and display the same guidance as when performing the first weight check. As a result, it is possible to prevent the customer from being notified that only a simple weight check process has been performed.

  However, the self-checkout operation at the self-checkout terminal 101 of the present embodiment is such that the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, and the product from which the barcode is read is stored in the shopping bag 401 or my basket. The basic operation is to place it on the table or on the temporary table 306. For this reason, in the case of a non-PLU product that is finally registered based on the touch designation of the product designation button B22, an operation different from normal is required. Due to such operational differences, the customer puts the registered packed product in the plastic bag 401 or my basket, or places it in the temporary storage table 306, and then mistakenly puts the unregistered product in the plastic bag 401 or my bag. It is expected that it will be placed in a basket or placed on the temporary table 306, that is, every second occurrence. When such an occurrence occurs twice, a non-PLU product for which the first weight check process is executed is an error, so that no major problem occurs.

  On the other hand, among non-PLU products, in the case of a product for which the second weight check process is executed, that is, a packed product in the present embodiment, it is merely determined whether or not the product is placed on the weighing pan 303. In other words, since the second weight check process, which is a simple weight check process, is executed, even if every second unregistered product occurs, this cannot be regarded as an error. In this case, after recognizing the increase in weight based on the output from the scale device 301, a countermeasure may be considered in which an error is generated when a further increase in weight is recognized. However, the weighing apparatus 301 cannot perform weighing for a predetermined time after the article is placed on the weighing pan 303 until the vibration is settled. For this reason, it is necessary to set the standby time as a predetermined time or more until the vibration is settled, and when this occurs twice within this standby time, this cannot be regarded as an error.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for a product for which the second weight check is executed, it is determined whether the weight measured by the scale device 301 exceeds a specified value, and if it exceeds, an error is determined. Execute. As a result, when a product is placed twice following a packed product, an error can be made if the total weight exceeds the specified weight. When such an error occurs, the control unit 253 may display, on the LCD 210, a screen that displays the weight error screen D1 as illustrated in FIG.
(6) Cancellation designation FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cancellation screen that appears when the cancellation button Y is pressed. When the stop button Y displayed on each screen is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit generates a stop screen H as illustrated in FIG. 22, reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B, and the user area B2. The generated stop screen H is displayed in an overlapping manner. On the cancel screen H, two selection buttons H1 and H2 labeled “Yes” and “No” are displayed together with the words “Are you sure you want to stop shopping?”, And a call button Z is also displayed. Is done. When the selection button H1 displayed as “Yes” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 stops all the processes, and displays the LCD 210 on the initial initial guidance screen A (first from the left in FIG. 10). Return to column first row). On the other hand, when the selection button H2 displayed as “No” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 returns the process to the previous state.
(7) Call designation FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a clerk call screen that appears when the call button Z is pressed. When the call button Z displayed on each screen is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit generates a clerk call screen I as illustrated in FIG. 23A, and reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B. Then, the generated salesclerk call screen I is superimposed on the user area B2. On the clerk call screen I, two selection buttons I1 and I2 displayed as "Yes" and "No" are displayed together with the characters "Call clerk. Are you sure?" When the selection button I1 displayed as “Yes” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 causes the salesclerk call screen I to transition as illustrated in FIG. On the clerk call screen I shown in FIG. 23B, a call cancel button I3 is displayed with the words “I will cancel the call”, together with the characters “I ’m just waiting for you. Therefore, when the call stop button I3 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 executes a store clerk calling process. As the calling process, the control unit 253 outputs the clerk calling information to the attendant terminal 501 to which the own device is assigned. On the other hand, when the selection button I2 displayed as “No” is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 stops the clerk calling process and returns the process to the previous state.
(8) M & M (Mix and Match)
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition when executing the self-checkout process when M & M (mix and match) is established. FIG. 24 shows an example in which the barcode scanner 203 reads the barcodes in the order of yogurt, beef belly, yogurt, and yogurt. As an example, assuming that M & M is established with three yogurts, and that M & M is established, a discount for one piece is assumed. In the example shown in FIG. 24, M & M (mix and match) is established. Yes. Therefore, referring to the transition of the basic screen B displayed on the LCD 210 after the bar code is read in FIG. 24, the first yogurt is obtained as the total amount in the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2. 150 yen after registration (unit price 150 yen), 630 yen (150 yen + 480 yen) after registration of beef belly (unit price 480 yen), 780 yen after registration of the second yogurt (unit price 150 yen) (150 yen + 480 yen + 150 yen), and after registration of the third yogurt (unit price 150 yen), it will be 780 yen (150 yen + 480 yen + 150 yen + 150 yen-150 yen). Since the M & M is established with three yogurts, the control unit 253 performs a discount process on 150 yen, which is the unit price for one yogurt, and −150 yen as the “set discount” of the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2. Is displayed (fourth column, second row from the left in FIG. 24).

In FIG. 24, the transaction information B21 displayed in the user area B2 displays the yogurt that is the target product of M & M with a round mark. This is displayed based on the M & M information stored in the PLU file. The control unit 253 recognizes that the product is an M & M target product based on the M & M information in the PLU file, and executes M & M processing.
(9) Settlement Return to the description based on FIG. In the user area B2 (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10) in the basic screen B, an accounting button B23 displayed as “accounting” is displayed. The touch designation of the accounting button B23 means a tightening designation. Therefore, when the accounting button B23 is touch-designated on the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 executes a settlement process. That is, the control unit 253 generates an accounting screen J and displays it on the user area B2 (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 10). The accounting screen J displays the total amount, the payment method selection buttons J1 to J5, and “return to the detail screen” for returning to the first basic screen B (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 10). And a return button J6 displayed. The selection button J1 is cash, the selection button J2 is credit, the selection button J3 is an electronic money type contactless IC card, the selection button J4 is a bank account withdrawal type contactless IC card, and the selection button J5 is a gift certificate / coupon. Select and specify.

  When the accounting screen J is displayed in the user area B2, the control unit 253 displays a suggestion about the card settlement that “you can pay with the next card” in the guidance display area B1. The control unit 253 receives near-empty information, empty information, near-full information, and full information for each denomination from a control unit (not shown) of the deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221. Therefore, the control unit 253 displays the near empty information for each received denomination and change information based on the empty information in the guidance display area B1. In the example shown in FIG. 10, it is displayed in the guidance display area B1 that 10,000 yen is out of change (second column, third row from the left).

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transition at the time of executing the checkout process with cash. In the accounting screen J (second example, third line from the left in FIG. 10) displayed on the user area B2 of the basic screen B, when the selection button J1 for selecting cash is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 (FIG. 25, first column, first row from the left), the control unit 253 generates a guidance screen K and displays it in the user area B2 of the basic screen B (second column, first row and third from the left in FIG. 25). Column first row). The guidance screen K displays a guidance including a letter “please insert money” and a picture indicating an operation for the customer together with a settlement status when cash is not yet inserted into the deposit / withdrawal apparatus 221 ( (Second column, first row from the left in FIG. 25). Then, when cash is inserted, the guidance on the guidance screen K transitions to a guidance “Please insert money, please press the“ Confirm ”button” and an input amount confirmation button K1 appears. (Third column, first row from the left in FIG. 25). At this time, the control unit 253 displays guidance information about available banknotes in the guidance display area B1 of the basic screen B.

  When the input amount confirmation button K1 that appears on the guidance screen K is touch-designated, the control unit 253 reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B and displays the settlement confirmation screen L in an overlapping manner (the third from the left in FIG. 25). Column second row). The settlement confirmation screen L has selection buttons L1 and L2 on which “Yes” and “No” are displayed. When the selection button L2 corresponding to “No” is touch-designated, the control unit 253 returns to the previous guidance screen K (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 25), and the selection button corresponding to “Yes”. When L1 is touched, the settlement end screen M (fourth row, second row from the left in FIG. 25) to the final screen N (from the left in FIG. 25) displaying the guidance “Please take change and receipt” is displayed. The screen display is shifted in order to the fourth column and the third row). The screen transition from the settlement end screen M to the final screen N is based on timer processing.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition when executing a checkout process using a credit card. In the accounting screen J displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B (second example, third line from the left in FIG. 10), when the selection button J2 for selecting a credit is touch-designated by the touch panel 211 (FIG. 10). 26, first column, first row from the left), the control unit 253 generates a guidance screen K and displays it in the user area B2 of the basic screen B (first column, second row and first from the left in FIG. 26). Column third row). The guidance screen K includes a collective / revolving payment confirmation button K2 (first column, second row from the left in FIG. 26), and the overall brightness of the basic screen B is lowered by touch designation of the collective / revolving payment confirmation button K2. A transition is made to a screen that allows selection between lump-sum payment and revolving payment (first column, third row from the left in FIG. 26).

  Therefore, the customer selects either lump sum payment or revolving payment, and scans the credit card along the card reading groove 212 provided on the LCD 210 of the settlement terminal 201. When the information recorded in the magnetic stripe of the credit card is correctly read by the card reader / writer 252, the control unit 253 reduces the overall brightness of the basic screen B and displays the payment confirmation screen L in an overlapping manner (see FIG. 26). 2nd column, 2nd row from the left). If the information recorded on the magnetic stripe of the credit card is not read correctly, a second scan is prompted (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 26).

  The settlement confirmation screen L has selection buttons L1 and L2 on which “Yes” and “No” are displayed. When the selection button L2 corresponding to “No” is touch-designated, the control unit 253 returns to the previous guidance screen K (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 26), and the selection button corresponding to “Yes”. When L1 is touch-designated, the display screen is shifted to the authentication-in-progress surface O “Please wait for a while now” (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 26), and authentication processing is executed. Thereafter, when the authentication is not obtained, the control unit 253 changes the display screen to the authentication rejection screen P (third column, second row from the left in FIG. 26). On the other hand, when the authentication is obtained, the control unit 253 displays the final screen N from the settlement end screen M (fourth column, second row from the left in FIG. 26) displaying the guidance “Please take a receipt”. The screen display is changed in order from the left in FIG. 26 to the fourth column and the third row. The screen transition from the settlement end screen M to the final screen N is based on timer processing.

  In the above, the case of cash settlement (FIG. 25) and the case of credit settlement (FIG. 26) have been described as examples. In the accounting screen J (second example, third line from the left in FIG. 10) displayed in the user area B2 of the basic screen B, a selection button J3 or bank account withdrawal for selecting an electronic money type contactless IC card When the selection button J4 for selecting the drop-type non-contact IC card is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the settlement processing by a similar method can be performed. That is, in the payment terminal 201, when the customer designates the closing by touching the accounting button B23 on the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 uses the magnetic card such as cash or credit card for the payment amount calculated in the merchandise sales data processing. Then, settlement processing using an electronic money type contactless IC card or a bank withdrawal type contactless IC card is executed.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of screen transition when executing a checkout process when using a gift certificate or a coupon. The gift certificate or coupon can be used when the settlement is made by any of the above methods. In this case, as shown in FIG. 27, a clerk is called and an operation by the clerk is required. For this purpose, the settlement terminal 201 changes from an inquiry screen asking whether to call a clerk (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 27) to a standby screen (third column, first row from the left in FIG. 27). Then, it becomes a checker mode. When the checker mode is set, the control unit 253 changes the screen display to the checker mode standby screen Q (fourth column, first row from the left in FIG. 27).
(10) Checker Mode FIG. 28 is a schematic view illustrating a checker mode standby screen Q. Not only when using a gift certificate or coupon, but when shifting to a checker mode that requires an operation by a clerk, the control unit 253 sets the display screen to the checker mode standby screen Q. When this checker mode standby screen Q is displayed, only when the bar code for the store clerk is read by the bar code scanner 203, the operation mode of the device is set to the checker mode, and operation by the store clerk becomes possible. When the checker mode standby screen Q is displayed on the LCD 210, the control unit 253 does not accept an operation by the customer.

  FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen transition example in the checker mode. When the checker mode standby screen Q is displayed on the LCD 210 and the bar code for the store clerk is read by the bar code scanner 203, the control unit 253 sets the screen display to the checker mode initial screen R (first from the left in FIG. 29). Column first row), allowing operation by store clerk. On the checker mode initial screen R, a change replenishment button R1, an accounting operation button R2, and a maintenance mode button R3 are displayed so that they can be touched, and two types of return buttons “return to start screen” and “return to original screen” are displayed. R4 and R5 are displayed so that touch designation is possible. Therefore, if the change replenishment button R1, the accounting operation button R2 or the maintenance mode button R3 is touch-designated on the touch panel 211, the change replenishment, the accounting operation, and the maintenance can be executed.

  In the change replenishment by touching the change change button R1, the completion button R6 is displayed together with the message “Please press the completion button when the change change / recovery operation is completed” and the message “No. 1st column, 2nd row), change replenishment work etc. to the depositing / dispensing device 221 becomes possible.

  The accounting operation by touch-specifying the accounting operation button R2 is used, for example, in the checkout process when using the above-described gift certificate or coupon, and it becomes possible to input the deposit amount using the numeric keypad (from the left in FIG. 29). 2nd column 2nd row). Therefore, if the amount of change is input, the control unit 253 displays from the settlement end screen M (second column, third row from the left in FIG. 29) to the final screen N (displaying the guidance “Please take a receipt”). The screen display can be sequentially shifted from the left in FIG. 29 to the third column and the third row), and the settlement process can be terminated.

Various maintenances are possible in the maintenance mode in which the maintenance mode button R3 is designated by touch.
(11) Weight registration processing As described above, the product sales data processing at the self-checkout terminal 101, that is, the search processing, the weight check processing (first weight check processing, second weight check processing), product information registration processing, and settlement The process has been described. Among actual transactions for executing such various processes, the settlement terminal 201 has a learning function for taking in the weight into the weight data file WDF. In other words, the above-described search processing can acquire various information such as unit price from the PLU file and weight from the weight data file WDF. In the first place, desired information is stored in the PLU file and the weight data file WDF. It is none other than being done. On the other hand, the operation of storing the weight of the product corresponding to each product code in the weight data file WDF is extremely complicated.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines whether or not the corresponding weight can be acquired from the weight data file WDF as a result of the search process in the actual transaction scene. If it is determined that the weight of the product is measured by the scale device 301 after the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the weight is registered as the weight of the product corresponding to the weight data file WDF. Execute the process.

  FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a weight data file WDF constituting the product data file. The weight data file WDF corresponds to the product code, the set weight (g), the weight check execution presence / absence definition, the product placement location definition (bag packing skip), the allowable value type definition, the upper limit allowable value, the lower limit allowable value, and The weight update flag is stored.

  The set weight (g) stores a set value of the weight of the product specified by the product code.

  As described above, the weight check execution definition is definition information for storing the weight check execution in association with each product code. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 interprets that “0” does not check the weight and “1” does the weight check during the weight check execution definition.

  The product placement location definition (bag packing skip) is a weighing platform 303 (not weight skipped) and a temporary placement table 306 (weight skipped (weighed)) as product placement locations where the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203. ) Or floor surface (weight skipping (weight)) is defined for each product. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 is in the weight check execution definition, “0” is the weighing pan 303 (does not skip weight), “1” is the temporary table 306 (skip weight (measurement)), “2” "Is interpreted as a floor (weight skipping (weight)).

  The allowable value type definition is information for determining whether the allowable width with respect to the set weight (g) is a ratio or an upper limit value and a lower limit value. That is, in the weight check process, a comparison process between the actual measured weight by the scale device 301 and the weight stored in the set weight (g) is executed. Set the width. The permissible width is obtained as a ratio with respect to the weight value stored in the set weight (g) according to the definition stored in the permissible value type definition, or is obtained as an upper limit value and a lower limit value that are numerically set.

  The upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value store numerical information for determining the allowable range for the set weight (g). In the case where the allowable value type definition sets the ratio to the weight value stored in the set weight (g) as the allowable width, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are numerical values of%. In addition, in the tolerance type definition, the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the weight value stored in the set weight (g) are specific numerical values. In this case, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are specific. The numerical value itself.

  The weight update flag stores whether or not the weight registration process is executed. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 interprets “0” not updated, “1” automatically updated, “2” manually updated, and “3” individually updated in the weight update flag. Default value if not updated. The automatic update is performed by executing a weight registration process. Manual update is performed manually. The individual update is performed by correcting manually after the automatic update.

  When the bar code is read by the bar code scanner 203, the control unit 253 uses the product code specified by the bar code as a key, the corresponding unit price from the PLU file, and various product information such as the weight from the weight data file WDF. The search process for searching for is executed. At this time, if the weight corresponding to the weight data file WDF is not stored, the weight data cannot be obtained as a matter of course. As an example, the fact that weight data cannot be obtained can be easily determined by acquiring NULL data recorded in the set weight (g) of the weight data file WDF. As another embodiment, a weight setting presence / absence flag for determining whether or not a numerical value is set for the set weight (g) is set in the weight data file WDF in association with each product code, and this weight is set. It may be determined whether or not weight data is obtained by referring to the setting presence / absence flag. When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 obtains a determination result that the weight cannot be obtained from the weight data file WDF, it temporarily stores this in the work area of the RAM 254, for example.

  Thereafter, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 waits for a weight check process with reference to the output from the scale device 301. In this standby process, when the weighing result is received from the scale device 301, the control unit 253 performs the weight check process, that is, the first check for the product obtained the weight value stored in the set weight (g) of the weight data file WDF. Perform a weight check process. At this time, the control unit 253 refers to the allowable value type definition of the weight data file WDF, and calculates the allowable width for the weight value stored in the set weight (g) as a ratio to the weight value or the upper limit allowable value. It is determined whether the upper limit value and the lower limit value stored in the value and the lower limit allowable value are referred to. For example, the product with the product code “4900000000030” has a set weight (g) of 310 (g) and an allowable value type definition of “0:%”, and therefore the allowable width is obtained by a certain ratio with respect to 301 (g). . The ratios in this case are 10 (%) and 10 (%) set in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value in the weight data file WDF. Therefore, the allowable width for this product is 279 (g) to 341 (g). In addition, the product whose product code is “4900000000047” has a set weight (g) of 400 (g) and an allowable value type definition of “1: weight (g)”, so the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable in the weight data file WDF The allowable range is obtained by referring to the numerical value stored in the value. Since the set values of the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value for this product are 20 (g) and 10 (g), the allowable range is 390 (g) to 420 (g).

  On the other hand, the determination result that the weight value stored in the set weight (g) of the weight data file WDF cannot be obtained is temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM 254. The weight value received from is registered in the set weight (g) of the weight data file WDF in association with the product code specified by barcode reading. At this time, for example, the control unit 253 calculates an upper limit value and a lower limit value for the weight to be registered, and writes the upper limit value and the lower limit value in the weight data file WDF. For example, the upper limit value and the lower limit value are calculated based on a common ratio for all products, or are obtained as common numerical values for all products. Here, the weight registration process is executed. This eliminates the need for the store side to store the product weight corresponding to each product code, thereby improving the work efficiency.

  When executing the weight registration process, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 allows the merchandise sales data process as it is without executing the weight check process. However, in order to ensure security, the second weight check process is executed, and only when it is recognized that a load has been applied to the weighing pan 303 by the output from the weighing device 301, the subsequent merchandise sales data process proceeds. Is acceptable.

  FIG. 31 shows an example of an allowable width rule that defines a setting method of an allowable width for a set weight. FIG. 31A shows an allowable width rule that defines a setting method of an allowable width for a set weight for each group of products. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing permissible width rules that define a permissible width setting method for a set weight for each weight range. As described above, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 calculates the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the weight to be registered as an example during the weight registration process, and sets the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF. Write to. At this time, as described above, as an example, the upper limit value and the lower limit value are obtained by a common ratio for all products.

  As another example, an upper limit value and a lower limit value to be written in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF may be obtained according to the allowable width definition shown in FIG. In the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31A, “20123456 ???” and “19 ?????????” are set in the target code column. The control unit 253 recognizes the target code “20123456 ???” as a common product code from the beginning to the 8-digit “20123456”. Also, the target code “19 ?????????” is recognized as a common product code from the beginning to the two-digit “19”. That is, it recognizes a group of products. Similarly, although not shown in FIG. 31A, if “??? 20 ????????????”, the third digit from the beginning is “2” and the fourth digit is “0”. It will be a product code. Therefore, since the weight check status is “Yes” for the common product code group up to “20123456”, the weight check status is recognized as a product to be weight checked, and the upper limit value and the ratio of the numerical values specified in the weight permission width setting are recognized. Calculate the lower limit. Here, since the weight permission width setting is set to “50%”, for the products belonging to the common product code group up to “20123456”, the set weight (g) of the weight data file WDF is used in the weight registration process. 50% is calculated as an upper limit value and a lower limit value with respect to the weight value to be set, and the calculated upper limit value and lower limit value are stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF, respectively. On the other hand, since the weight check status is “No” for the common product code groups up to “19”, the weight registration process is not executed. Therefore, in the present example, during the weight registration process, the character string included in the product code in the weight data file WDF shown in FIG. 30 is grasped as attribute information, and the target in the allowable width definition shown in FIG. If it corresponds to the code, the upper limit value and the lower limit value are calculated under the conditions defined in the permissible width definition. In addition, as another example of the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31A, a method of using specific numerical values such as an upper limit value and a lower limit value instead of a ratio may be used as the setting method of the weight permission width setting.

  As yet another example, an upper limit value and a lower limit value to be written in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF may be obtained according to the allowable width definition shown in FIG. In the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31 (b), an allowable value type definition, an upper limit allowable value, and a lower limit allowable value are set in units of weight values. As an example, in the allowable width definition illustrated in FIG. 31B, the weight interval of 50 (g) or less has the allowable value type definition of “1: weight (g)”, and the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are Both are set to 10 (g). In the weight section exceeding 50 (g) and not more than 100 (g), the allowable value type definition is “1: weight (g)”, the upper limit allowable value is 20 (g), and the lower limit allowable value is 15 ( g). For the weight section exceeding 100 (g), the allowable value type definition is “0:%”, the upper limit allowable value is 20 (%), and the lower limit allowable value is 15 (%). Therefore, in this example, in the weight registration process, the corresponding weight section in the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31A is determined from the measurement result by the scale device 301, and the upper limit is satisfied under the conditions specified in the corresponding weight section. A value and a lower limit value are calculated.

  As yet another example, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 registers only the set weight (g) in the weight data file WDF during the weight registration process, and sets the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the registered weight as the upper limit allowable value. And it may not be written in the lower limit allowable value. In this case, in the weight check process, for example, the weight check may be performed with reference to the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31A, and as another example, the allowable width definition shown in FIG. 31B. .

The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 has a function of distributing the weight registered in the weight data file WDF by the weight registration process to other self-checkout terminals 101. For example, when the weight is registered in the PLU file, or after the store is closed, the weight registered in the PLU file by the own device is distributed to other self-checkout terminals 101 using the communication network 41. . In this case, when a system configuration in which PLU or the like can be distributed from the store controller 31 that is a host machine to each settlement terminal 201 is adopted, the control unit 253 determines the weight to be registered in the weight data file WDF by weight registration processing. The communication network 41 may be used for transmission toward the store controller 31. In this case, the store controller 31 distributes the weight registered in the weight data file WDF received from the payment terminal 201 to the other payment terminals 201.
3. Monitoring at the attendant terminal (1) Various information transmitted from the self-checkout terminal to the attendant terminal FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a monitoring screen on the attendant terminal 501. The self-checkout terminal 101 described above transmits and outputs various types of information on the communication network 41 in association with the identification code of the own device to the attendant terminal 501 to which the own device is assigned. Various types of information include operating status information, usage declaration information, merchandise sales data processing information, error occurrence information, error release information, error occurrence time information, clerk call information, clerk call suspension information, clerk call occurrence time information, money type Excess or deficiency information.

  The operation status information is information related to the operation status of whether each self-checkout terminal 101 is on standby or scanning a product. The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 outputs information regarding the operating status of whether the self-checkout terminal 101 is waiting or product scanning to the attendant terminal 501.

  The usage declaration information is, for example, usage declaration information of My Basket. My basket use declaration information is output when the use of my basket is declared in each self-checkout terminal 101 (first column, second row from the left side of FIG. 10).

  The merchandise sales data processing information is information relating to the merchandise sales data processing that is being executed at each self-checkout terminal 101. The control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 outputs transaction information generated in the product sales data processing flow to the attendant terminal 501.

  The error occurrence information is information about an error that has occurred in each self-checkout terminal 101. As the error occurrence information, the self-checkout terminal 101 has a change machine abnormality when any abnormality occurs in the deposit / withdrawal device 221, a printer abnormality when any abnormality occurs in the receipt printer 251, a card reader / writer 252 or a card reading unit. A card abnormality when an abnormality occurs in 206, a weight check abnormality when a weight check error occurs, and the like are output as error occurrence information. Further, the error occurrence information includes more detailed error detailed information.

  The error cancellation information is information for canceling an error that has occurred at each self-checkout terminal 101. As error cancellation information, the self-checkout terminal 101 can detect an abnormality in a change machine when an abnormality occurs in the deposit / withdrawal device 221, an abnormality in the printer when an abnormality occurs in the receipt printer 251, a card reader / writer 252 or a card reading unit. Various cancellation information regarding a card abnormality when a certain abnormality occurs in 206, a weight check abnormality when a weight check error occurs, and the like are output as error cancellation information.

  The error occurrence time information is information about the error occurrence time. When an error occurs, the control unit 253 of the payment terminal 201 acquires the time when the error occurred by using a clock circuit (not shown). Then, the acquired error occurrence time information is output to the attendant terminal 501. However, the error occurrence time information may not be acquired from the payment terminal 201 but may be acquired by the attendant terminal 501 using a clock circuit (not shown). In this case, as an example, the time when the attendant terminal 501 receives the error occurrence information is set as the error occurrence time.

  The clerk call information is output from the self checkout terminal 101 to the attendant terminal 501 when the call button Z is touch-designated in each self checkout terminal 101.

  The salesclerk call interruption information is output from the self-checkout terminal 101 to the attendant terminal 501 when the call stop button I3 (see FIG. 23B) is touched after the call button Z is touched. The

  The clerk call occurrence time information is information regarding the clerk call occurrence time. When a clerk call occurs, the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 acquires the clerk call occurrence time by using a clock circuit (not shown). Then, the acquired clerk call occurrence time information is output to the attendant terminal 501. However, the attendant call occurrence time information may not be acquired from the settlement terminal 201, but may be acquired by the attendant terminal 501 using a clock circuit (not shown). In this case, as an example, the time when the attendant terminal 501 receives the clerk call information is set as the clerk call occurrence time.

The money excess / deficiency information is output for each denomination by the deposit / withdrawal device 221, and the control unit 253 of the settlement terminal 201 outputs the near empty information, empty information, and near full for each denomination to the attendant terminal 501. It consists of information and full information.
(2) Monitoring Screen Displayed by Attendant Terminal The attendant terminal 501 that receives the various types of information described above corresponds to the individual self-checkout terminal 101 according to the control program transferred from the HDD 510 to the RAM 508 when the attendant terminal 501 is activated. A monitoring screen 521 is generated. In this case, as an example, when the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is adopted, the self-checkout terminal 101 on the left back side as viewed from the attendant terminal 501 is cash register 1, the self checkout terminal 101 on the right back side is cash register 2, and the left front side. The self-checkout terminal 101 is assigned as a cash register 3 and the self-checkout terminal 101 on the right front side is assigned a number as a cash register 4 so that a screen arrangement simulating an actual arrangement is obtained. That is, in the monitoring screen 521, the divided screen configuration is executed so that the cash register 1 is the upper left column, the cash register 2 is the upper right column, the cash register 3 is the lower left column, and the cash register 4 is the lower right column. When the CPU 506 receives various types of information transmitted from the payment terminal 201 of the self-checkout terminal 101, the CPU 506 displays a screen display based on the received information on the display 503 using the VRAM 509 or the like. Hereinafter, the monitoring screen 521 will be described in detail.

  Each divided monitoring screen 521 has a title bar 522 for displaying a register number, an error information column 523, a usage declaration information column 524, a transaction information display column 525, and a change status information display column 526.

  The title bar 522 is arranged in a horizontally long shape at the uppermost position in each monitoring screen 521, and the right side is opened below the title bar 522 so that the error information column 523, the usage declaration information column 524, and the transaction information display column 525 are directed downward. Are arranged in order. As shown in FIG. 32, the title bar 522 displays information from the cash register 1 to the cash register 4 as information for specifying the assigned self-checkout terminal 101.

  The error information field 523 has three types of display fields, a change machine abnormality display field 523a, a printer abnormality display field 523b, and a card abnormality display field 523c. These change machine abnormality display field 523a, printer abnormality display field 523b, card The abnormality display column 523c is arranged in a horizontal row.

  The use declaration information column 524 has a my basket use declaration display column 524a, and two blank columns 524c are arranged in a horizontal row next to the my basket use declaration display column 524a.

  The transaction information display column 525 is a column for displaying the transaction information received from the self-checkout terminal 101 in horizontal writing.

  The change status information display column 526 has an area on the right side where the error information column 523, the usage declaration information column 524, and the transaction information display column 525 are offset from the top, ¥ 10,000, ¥ 5,000, ¥ 2,000, The money type status display 526a is arranged in a vertical row in the order of ¥ 1,000, ¥ 500, ¥ 100, ¥ 50, ¥ 10, ¥ 5, and ¥ 1. On the left side of these denomination status indications 526a, character displays 526b of “replenishment” and “collection” selectively appear as denominations.

In the monitoring screen 521, as a common item, a time display column 527 for displaying the current time is arranged at the upper right, and a command display column 528 is arranged in a vertical line below it. The command display field 528 is assigned with two command buttons 528a of “start other business” and “end”, and other command buttons 528a can be assigned as necessary.
(3) Monitoring process on the monitoring screen (1) Operation status display Using such a monitoring screen 521, the attendant terminal 501 performs status monitoring of the assigned self-checkout terminal 101. That is, when the attendant terminal 501 receives the operating status information, the attendant terminal 501 causes a unique form for each operating status to be generated in the title bar 522 in the monitoring screen 521, and the received operating status information is displayed in the corresponding individual monitoring screen 521. indicate. In this case, as an example, the unique form is color. For example, the title bar 522 is displayed in white for the waiting self-checkout terminal 101 (register 2), and the title bar 522 is displayed in blue for the self-checkout terminal 101 (register 1) during product scanning. . As another example, since the form means a shape, a pattern, or a color, the specific form may be a shape, a pattern, or a combination of at least two elements of a shape, a pattern, and a color.

(2) Use Declaration Display When the attendant terminal 501 receives the use declaration information from the individual self-checkout terminal 101, here, the my basket use declaration information, in the use declaration information column 524, the my basket use declaration display column 524a is displayed. Highlight. The highlighting is performed by coloring with the same color as the title bar 522.

  In FIG. 32, the state in which the title bar 522 and the my basket use declaration display field 524a are colored in the same color on the monitor screen 521 of the cash register 1 is indicated by diagonal lines.

(3) Product Sales Data Processing Information Display When the attendant terminal 501 receives the product sales data processing information from each self-checkout terminal 101, the attendant terminal 501 displays the received transaction information in the transaction information display column 525. As an example, the transaction information display field 525 of the monitor screen 521 of the cash register 1 includes a purchase history information field such as “potato chip light salt 1 point 140”, “detergent 1 point 298”, “draft beer 4 points 1,000”. 525a and a settlement information column 525b of “total discount 0 yen”, “total amount 2,386 yen”, “payment amount”, and “change” are displayed. Further, in the settlement information column 525b, a warning display for prohibition of sale under 20 years old is displayed, which is composed of a message “Pursuing alcohol / cigarettes” and a mark indicating the message. This is because “draft beer” has been purchased as can be seen by referring to the transaction information display field 525. Such an alert display can be displayed based on information from the self-checkout terminal 101 as an example. The self-checkout terminal 101 can easily distinguish the self-checkout terminal 101 by storing in the PLU file of the payment terminal 201 that the product is prohibited from sale under 20 years old.

(4) Error occurrence information display When the attendant terminal 501 receives error occurrence information from each self-checkout terminal 101, first, a unique form is generated on the monitoring screen 521, and second, the unique form is displayed. An error notification screen 529 having a common form is generated and displayed on the corresponding monitoring screen 521, and thirdly, an error corresponding to the error information column 523 is displayed in a form common to the specific form. .

  That is, the unique form generated on the monitoring screen 521 is color as an example. For example, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 displays the title bar 522 in red for the self-checkout terminal 101 (register 4) that transmitted the error occurrence information. As another example, since the form means a shape, a pattern, or a color, the specific form may be a shape, a pattern, or a combination of at least two elements of a shape, a pattern, and a color.

  The CPU 506 generates an error notification screen 529 having a form common to the title bar 522 of the monitoring screen 521 and displays the error notification screen 529 on the monitoring screen 521 of the cash register 4. Since the title bar 522 has a form of red as described above, the error notification screen 529 is also displayed in a color of red in order to have a form common to the title bar 522. Then, the CPU 506 displays an OK button 529a on the error notification screen 529 so that an operation can be designated. When the OK button 529a is designated for operation by the pointing device 505 included in the attendant terminal 501, the CPU 506 deletes the display. Further, the CPU 506 displays on the error notification screen 529 what type of abnormality has occurred along with the time of occurrence. That is, there are three types of error occurrence information: a change machine abnormality, a printer abnormality, and a card abnormality, and the other is displayed on the error notification screen 529. Further, since the error occurrence time is known from the error occurrence time information transmitted and output from the self-checkout terminal 101 or the error occurrence time information acquired by the attendant terminal 501, the CPU 506 sets the known error occurrence time as an error. Displayed on the notification screen 529.

  Then, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 highlights the change machine abnormality display field 523a when the error occurrence information is abnormal for the change machine, and displays the error information field 523 when the error occurrence information is a printer abnormality. Highlights the printer abnormality display field 523b, and if the error occurrence information indicates a card abnormality, the card abnormality display field 523c is highlighted. In this case, the error display in the error information column 523 is also displayed in a red color in order to have a common form with the unique form generated in the title bar 522 of the monitoring screen 521.

  Here, the error notification screen 529 can be deleted by operating the OK button 529a. Since the error notification screen 529 is a screen that is displayed over the monitoring screen 521, an error occurrence can be effectively indicated to the clerk of the attendant (attendant), but the display of the monitoring screen 521 is hidden. . Therefore, after the store clerk recognizes that an error has occurred in a certain self-checkout terminal 101, here, the self-checkout terminal 101 of the cash register 1, the error notification screen 529 is deleted by specifying the operation of the OK button 529a by the store clerk. In addition, the visibility of the monitoring screen 521 is improved. On the other hand, after deleting the error notification screen 529, there is a possibility of misidentifying what kind of error occurred for which self-checkout terminal 101. Therefore, even after the error notification screen 529 is erased, the error display in the error information column 523 is left so that it can be easily confirmed later what kind of error has occurred for which self-checkout terminal 101.

  FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an error details screen. In addition to the OK button 529a, a detail button 529b is displayed as an object on the error notification screen 529 displayed on the monitoring screen 521 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 designates the detailed button 529b to be operated by the pointing device 505 or the like, the error detail screen 551 shown in FIG. In this case, the error detail screen 551 is displayed not only on the divided screen of the corresponding self-checkout terminal 101 but also over the entire monitoring screen 521. Therefore, in order to clearly indicate which self-checkout terminal 101 has an error, a cash register number column 553 is displayed in the title bar 522 on the error detail screen 551, and the self number corresponding to the cash register number column 553 is displayed. The checkout number of the checkout terminal 101 is displayed. The title bar 522 also displays an error title column 524 for displaying what kind of error has occurred. An error detail screen 551 illustrated in FIG. 33 shows a state in which a weight check error has occurred for a certain product. In view of this, the error title column 524 displays “An error occurred during product scanning”.

  Here, the error detail screen 551 is a screen generated based on the error detail information included in the error occurrence information, and provides more detailed information about the error that has occurred to the attendant's clerk. provide. That is, a progress information display field 555 based on the merchandise sales data processing information received from the individual self-checkout terminal 101 appears on the error details screen 551. In the progress information display field 555, “shopping start” and “scan” are displayed. ”,“ Payment ”, and“ shopping end ”are displayed. Each piece of progress information in the progress information display field 555 indicates that the part where the color has changed has already ended. Further, on the error detail screen 551, a transaction information display field 556 based on the merchandise sales data processing information received from the individual self-checkout terminal 101 appears, and the transaction information is displayed in the transaction information display field 556. An error detail screen 551 illustrated in FIG. 33 shows a state in which a weight check error has occurred for a product called cheese. The occurrence of a weight check error is indicated by a highlighted display in the corresponding product column and a display of “round light” in the status.

  The error detail screen 551 further displays a change machine replenishment history column 557 and an error history column 558, and a product master activation button 559, a journal introduction button 560, an error release button 561, and a close button 562 are displayed as objects.

  When the error cancel button 561 is designated by the pointing device 505 or the like, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 transmits and outputs an error cancel command to the self-checkout terminal 101 corresponding to the error detail screen 551. At this time, the self-checkout terminal 101 should be notified of an error in step S213 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 or an error in step S260 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 does not exit the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 or the routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19 unless the weight check error is resolved, and the subsequent product information registration process (FIG. 9 step S14) cannot be executed. On the other hand, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 receives the error cancellation command transmitted from the attendant terminal 501 and ends the routine of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a registration continuation instruction screen that appears on the self-checkout terminal 101 after the error cancellation processing is performed by the attendant terminal 501. When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 receives the error cancellation command transmitted from the attendant terminal 501, the brightness of the entire basic screen B is reduced and the registration continuation instruction screen G is displayed on the LCD 210 as shown in FIG. To do. On this registration continuation instruction screen G, a registration continuation instruction button G1 displayed as “next” is displayed as an object. Therefore, when the registration continuation instruction button G1 is touch-designated by the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 ends the routine of the flowchart shown in FIG. The product information registration process for the product whose code has been read is executed (step S14 in FIG. 9), the display on the LCD 210 is returned to the basic screen B (second column, first row from the left in FIG. 10), and the attendant terminal 501 Send error clearing information so that it can proceed to the next process.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the weight check error generated in the self-checkout terminal 101 due to the execution of the weight check process can be canceled by the attendant terminal 501. As a result, smooth transactions using the self-checkout terminal 101 can be realized. That is, when a weight check error occurs in the self-checkout terminal 101, when the cause is not due to fraud but due to an operation error, in terms of smooth transaction progress, It is desirable that the operation at the self-checkout terminal 101 can be continued without waiting for the resolution. In this case, whether the cause of the weight check error in the self-checkout terminal 101 is due to fraud or an operation error can be easily grasped by a store clerk who monitors the status of each self-checkout terminal 101. Expected to be possible. Therefore, if the cause of the weight check error is due to an operation error, the weight check error can be canceled by the attendant terminal 501 at the discretion of the attendant's clerk so that smooth transactions can be realized. I have to.

  As described above, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 transmits and outputs error release information when the error that has occurred is resolved. Therefore, when the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 receives the error cancellation information from the self-checkout terminal 101, the error display in the error information column 523 shown in FIG. 32 is deleted and the error detail screen 551 is displayed. Deletes the displayed error detail screen 551.

  The attendant terminal 501 records a log of error information in the RAM 508 when various errors occur.

  In FIG. 32, the state in which the title bar 522, the error notification screen 529, and the error information column 523 are colored in the same color on the monitoring screen 521 of the cash register 4 is indicated by diagonal shading.

(5) Clerk call display When the attendant terminal 501 receives the clerk call information indicating that the clerk is being called from the individual self-checkout terminal 101, first, the attendant terminal 501 causes the monitoring screen 521 to have a unique form. Second, a salesclerk call screen 530 having a form common to the specific form is generated and displayed on the corresponding monitor screen 521 in an overlapping manner.

  That is, the unique form generated on the monitoring screen 521 is color as an example. For example, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 displays the title bar 522 in yellow for the self-checkout terminal 101 (register 3) that transmitted the clerk call information. As another example, since the form means a shape, a pattern, or a color, the specific form may be a shape, a pattern, or a combination of at least two elements of a shape, a pattern, and a color.

  The CPU 506 generates a store clerk call screen 530 having a form common to the title bar 522 of the monitoring screen 521 and displays it on the monitoring screen 521 of the cash register 3 in an overlapping manner. Since the title bar 522 has a form of yellow as described above, the salesclerk call screen 530 is also displayed in a color of yellow in order to have a form common to the title bar 522. Then, the CPU 506 displays an OK button 530a on the clerk call screen 530 so that the operation can be designated. When the OK button 530a is designated by the pointing device 505 included in the attendant terminal 501, the CPU 506 deletes the display. Further, the CPU 506 displays on the clerk call screen 530 that the clerk is being called together with the call occurrence time. Since the clerk call occurrence time information is known from the clerk call occurrence time information transmitted and output from the self-checkout terminal 101 or the clerk call occurrence time information acquired by the attendant terminal 501, the CPU 506 determines the known clerk call occurrence time. Is displayed on the salesclerk call screen 530.

  In FIG. 32, the state in which the title bar 522 and the clerk call screen 530 are colored in the same color on the monitoring screen 521 of the cash register 3 is indicated by a grid-like shade.

(6) Deposit / withdrawal related display The attendant terminal 501 receives from the individual self-checkout terminal 101 the excess / deficiency type information indicating the excess / deficiency information for each denomination in the deposit / withdrawal device 221 provided in the self-checkout terminal 101. Then, the received money type excess / deficiency information is displayed in the corresponding individual monitoring screens 521. That is, the denomination excess / deficiency information is displayed as a denomination display displayed in a column. The denomination display includes a denomination status display 526a in the change status information display field 526 and a character display 526b that selectively appears on the left side of the denomination status display 526a.

  Each self-checkout terminal 101 transmits near-empty information, empty information, near-full information, and full information for each denomination to the attendant terminal 501 as denomination excess / deficiency information. Therefore, when the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 receives near empty information for a certain denomination, the denomination portion 526a of the denomination status display 526a is highlighted and a character display 526b of “replenishment” appears on the left side thereof. Let The emphasis display of the money type status display 526a is made by coloring the highlighted portion in a color of, for example, gray. Further, when the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 receives near-full information for a certain denomination, the denomination portion 526a of the denomination status display 526a is highlighted, and a character display 526b “collected” appears on the left side. . The emphasis display of the money type status display 526a is performed by causing the highlighted portion to be colored in a color such as red, for example.

(7) Log display of weight check error The CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 records a log of error information generated in the self-checkout terminal 101 in the RAM 508 as described above. Therefore, a log can be displayed on the display 503 for various errors. That is, as the command button 528 a displayed in the command display field 528 of the monitoring screen 521, there is a command button 528 a displayed as “Launch other business”. When the pointing device 505 or the like is used to designate the operation of the command button 528 a displayed as “Activate Other Business”, a list of other business (not shown) is displayed on the display 503. From this list, a log display can appear on the display 503.

  FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight check error occurrence status list. The log display of the weight check error is made by displaying the weight check error occurrence status list 571 shown in FIG. The weight check error occurrence status list 571 includes a start date designation field 572 and an end date designation field 573, and a period for displaying a log can be designated from a pull-down menu. Also, a register number designation field 574 is provided, and the register number of the self-checkout terminal 101 that displays the log can be designated from a pull-down menu. FIG. 35 shows a state where all are designated.

  The log display column 575 forms the core of the weight check error occurrence status list 571. In this log display column 575, a log of the weight check error for the self-checkout terminal 101 specified in the register number specification column 574 in the period specified in the start date specification column 572 and the end date specification column 573 is displayed. . What is important as log information displayed in the log display field 575 is “upper limit weight”, “lower limit weight”, and “detected weight”. From such information, the operator can determine whether the set weight (g), the upper limit allowable value, and the lower limit allowable value in the weight data file WDF shown in FIG. 30 are appropriate.

  FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a product master maintenance screen. The CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 displays the command display field 528 even when the weight check error occurrence status list 571 shown in FIG. The command display column 528 in the case where the weight check error occurrence status list 571 is displayed includes a command button 528a displayed as “extract” as one of the command buttons 528a. The CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 is selected when the command button 528a displayed as “extract” is designated by the pointing device 505 or the like while one product is selected from the log display field 575. A product master maintenance screen 581 including information on a product data file (such as a weight data file WDF) stored in the self-checkout terminal 101 for the product is displayed on the display 503. In other words, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 operates when the command button 528 a displayed as “extract” is designated by the pointing device 505 or the like in a state where one product is selected from the log display field 575. Via 41, the product code of the product is specified and a transmission request for information on the product data file (weight data file WDF, etc.) is transmitted to the corresponding self-checkout terminal 101. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 returns information on the product data file (weight data file WDF or the like) of the requested product to the attendant terminal 501. Thereby, the attendant terminal 501 can display the product master maintenance screen 581 on the display 503.

  The product master maintenance screen 581 is prepared in order to perform maintenance of the weight data file WDF and the like provided in each self-checkout terminal 101 on the attendant terminal 501 side. That is, the product master maintenance screen 581 includes a barcode display field 582, a weight check selection field 583, a bagging skip selection field 584, a warning display selection field 585, a weight setting field 586, an image display selection field 587, an image display field 588, A file selection field 589, an update flag selection field 590, and a message field 591 are displayed.

  When the product master maintenance screen 581 is called on the attendant terminal 501, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 can execute a maintenance process for a product data file (such as a weight data file WDF) provided in the self-checkout terminal 101. That is, whether or not weight check is executed can be input in the weight check selection field 583, the product placement location can be input in the bagging skip selection field 584, and whether or not a warning is displayed in the warning display selection field 585. In the weight setting field 586, the weight of the product and its upper limit weight and lower limit weight can be input. In the image display selection field 587, the presence / absence of image display can be input, and the update flag selection field At 590, a weight update flag setting input can be performed. Further, in the image display field 588, an image of a product displayed as that to be displayed on the LCD 210 in the self-checkout terminal 101 is displayed, and this image can be changed by selection designation in the file selection field 589. .

  The CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 displays the command display field 528 even when the product master maintenance screen 581 shown in FIG. 36 is displayed. The command display field 528 when the product master maintenance screen 581 is displayed includes a command button 528a displayed as “update” as one of the command buttons 528a. When the command button 528a displayed as “update” is designated by the pointing device 505 or the like, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 changes the command together with information input to the product master maintenance screen 581 via the communication network 41. Is transmitted to the corresponding self-checkout terminal 101.

  When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 receives a change command with information input to the product master maintenance screen 581 from the attendant terminal 501, the product data file (weight data file WDF) that it has is received according to the received information. Etc.). As an example, the weight check of the weight data file WDF is updated according to whether or not the weight check is input in the weight check selection field 583, and the weight data file WDF is updated according to the product placement location input in the bagging skip selection field 584. The product placement location definition (bag packing skip) is updated, and the set weight (g), upper limit allowable value and lower limit of the weight data file WDF according to the weight of the product input in the weight setting field 586 and its upper limit weight and lower limit weight. The allowable value is updated, and the weight update flag is updated according to the weight update flag input in the update flag selection field 590.

  As described above, the attendant terminal 501 can display the weight check error occurrence status list 571 shown in FIG. 35 on the display 503 and refer to the weight check error log. Then, it is possible to shift from the weight check error occurrence status list 571 to the product master maintenance screen 581, and the product data file (weight data file WDF etc.) of the self-checkout terminal 101 is updated by this product master maintenance screen 581. Is possible. Therefore, the usability of maintenance work can be improved.

  In addition, the attendant terminal 501 displays useful information in the message field 591 of the product master maintenance screen 581 so that the usability of the maintenance work can be improved. That is, the CPU 506 of the attendant terminal 501 displays the average weight, the effective upper limit value, and the effective lower limit value for the product specified by the barcode display field 582 in the message field 591. As described above, the attendant terminal 501 collects a weight check error log and stores it in the RAM 508. For this reason, the attendant terminal 501 can collect the weight of the corresponding product, that is, the history of the weight value that is the measurement result of the scale device 301 from the log of the weight check error. Therefore, the CPU 506 calculates the average weight from the weight value and displays it in the message column 591 of the product master maintenance screen 581. In the product master maintenance screen 581 illustrated in FIG. 36, “average weight is 312 (g)” is displayed. Further, if there is a history of the weight value of the corresponding product as a measurement result of the scale device 301, the upper limit value and the lower limit value can be easily obtained. In this case, when a weight check error occurs due to fraud at the self-checkout terminal 101, a value far from the actual weight of the product should remain in the log. Therefore, for example, by setting a certain threshold value and discarding the numerical value exceeding the threshold value, the weight value that the product is actually weighed is estimated, and this is obtained as the effective upper limit value and the effective lower limit value. The message is displayed in the message field 591 of the product master maintenance screen 581. In the product master maintenance screen 581 illustrated in FIG. 36, “effective upper limit value was +14 (g) and effective lower limit value was −12 (g)” is displayed.

  In the product master maintenance screen 581 illustrated in FIG. 36, the product weight (g) displayed in the weight setting field 586 is 310, the upper limit weight (g) is 10, and the lower limit weight (g) is 10. These values are values that the self-checkout terminal 101 has and are stored in the weight data file WDF. Therefore, by referring to the provision information displayed in the message field 591, the product weight (g) displayed in the weight setting field 586 in the product master maintenance screen 581, in other words, the set weight (g in the weight data file WDF) ) Is 2 (g) off from the average weight of the product 312 (g). Similarly, the upper limit weight (g) displayed in the weight setting field 586 on the product master maintenance screen 581, in other words, the upper limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF is +14 (g) which is the effective upper limit value of the product. It can be seen that it is less than 4 (g). Similarly, the lower limit weight (g) displayed in the weight setting field 586 on the product master maintenance screen 581, in other words, the lower limit allowable value of the weight data file WDF is the effective upper limit value of the product −12 (g). It can be seen that it exceeds 2 (g). Therefore, it is clear that the setting value in the weight setting field 586 must be changed. In this case, by referring to the average weight, the effective upper limit value, and the effective lower limit value displayed in the message field 591, which It becomes clear whether a degree of change is required. As described above, the information in the message column 591 of the product master maintenance screen 581 provides great support to the worker when performing maintenance work.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall system configuration as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of each part in a self-checkout system. It is a perspective view which shows a self-checkout terminal. It is a perspective view which shows a scale apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the shopping bag is hold | maintained at the holding arm. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of a payment terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of a scale apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrical hardware constitutions of an attendant terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the self-checkout process in a self-checkout terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the self-checkout process execution in a self-checkout terminal. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the basic screen and reading confirmation screen about the goods which should be mounted in a temporary placement stand. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the weight data reception process from the scale apparatus included in the weight check process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a weight check file. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a weight check process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a weight check error screen when the goods in which the barcode is not read as a result of the weight check process are placed on the placement unit of the scale device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the weight check process in the goods bagging waiting phase. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of a weight check process. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the weight check error screen when goods are removed from the mounting table as a result of the weight check process. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the weight check process in the goods bagging waiting phase. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the basic screen and reading confirmation screen about a product which is not a weight check object. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of execution of the self-checkout process of packed goods. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the cancellation screen which appears when a cancellation button is pushed. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the salesclerk call screen which appears when a call button is pushed. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of self-checkout process execution in case M & M (mix and match) is materialized. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the checkout process by cash. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of the checkout process by a credit card. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition at the time of checkout process execution in the case of using a gift certificate or a coupon. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates a checker mode standby screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition in checker mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a goods data file (weight data file). As an example of an allowable width rule that defines an allowable width setting method for a set weight, (a) is an allowable width rule that defines an allowable width setting method for a set weight for each product group, and (b) is an individual weight range FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing allowable width rules that define a setting method of an allowable width with respect to a set weight. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the monitoring screen in an attendant terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an error detail screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the registration continuation instruction | indication screen which appears on the self-checkout terminal after an error cancellation process is carried out by the attendant terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a weight check error occurrence status list. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a goods master maintenance screen.

Explanation of symbols

31: Store controller (high-order machine), 201: Payment terminal, 203: Bar code scanner (user interface), 206: Card reader (user interface), 207 ... Numeric keypad (user interface), 210 ... LCD (user interface), 211 ... Touch panel (user interface), 221 ... Deposit / withdrawal device (user interface), 252 ... Card reader / writer (user interface), 253 ... Control unit (information processing unit), 254 ... RAM (storage unit), 301 ... Scale device , 303a: mounting table (mounting unit), 306: temporary mounting table (mounting unit), WDF: weight data file (product data file)

Claims (8)

A product code reading unit for reading the product code attached to the product;
A scale device for weighing the product whose product code is read by the product code reading unit;
Means for executing a search process for searching for a unit price and a weight corresponding to a product from which the product code is read from a product data file storing a unit price, a weight and an allowable range for the weight corresponding to each product code;
As a result of the search process, when the unit price and weight corresponding to the product whose product code is read from the product data file are acquired, the weight of the product measured by the scale device after the product code is read is the search process. Means for executing a weight check process for determining whether or not the weight obtained by the step is identical to the weight acquired by
Results of the search process, when you are unable to obtain the weight corresponding from the product data file, said weight without executing the check processing, weight and those wherein the product which has been weighed by the weighing device after reading product code the tolerance for the heavy weight, and means for executing the weight registration processing in association with the commodity code read by said commodity code reading section for registering the article data file,
As a result of the weight check process, when the weight of the product weighed by the scale device after reading the product code is the same as the weight acquired by the search process, or when the weight registration process is performed Means for executing product information registration processing for storing product information including the product code and the unit price acquired by the search processing in a storage unit;
Self-checkout terminal equipped with.   When executing the weight registration process, an allowable width that determines a group of products for which weight is to be registered from the attribute information stored in the product data file, and defines a setting method of an allowable width for each product group The self-checkout terminal according to claim 1, wherein an allowable width for a registered weight is obtained by a method of setting an allowable width corresponding to the determined group of products according to a rule.   The self-checkout terminal according to claim 2, wherein the attribute information stored in the product data file is a character string included in a product code.   When executing the weight registration process, registration is performed by an allowable width setting method corresponding to the weight of the product weighed by the scale device after inputting the product code in accordance with an allowable width rule that defines an allowable width setting method for each weight range. The self-checkout terminal according to claim 1, wherein an allowable range for weight is obtained.   The self-checkout terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the setting method of the allowable width with respect to the weight is a method of designating an upper limit value and a lower limit value for the weight to be registered.   The self-checkout terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the setting method of the allowable width with respect to the weight is a method of designating a ratio with respect to the weight to be registered.   The self-checkout terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the weight registered in the product data file by the weight registration processing is distributed to another self-checkout terminal.   The self-checkout terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an information processing unit of the payment terminal transmits a weight registered in the product data file by the weight registration process to a host device.

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