JP5215364B2 - Self-checkout terminal and program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a self-checkout terminal and a program.

  In recent years, in retail stores such as supermarkets, various interfaces for executing merchandise sales data processing have been arranged at locations where customers can operate, provide information to customers, and issue receipts to customers. Development of a self-checkout terminal that enables this is underway. In such a self-checkout terminal, a measuring instrument is built in a mounting table on which a shopping bag (for example, a shopping bag) is installed, and a product scanned for each product registration is put in a shopping bag. By placing the product, the weight of the product is measured. Then, by comparing the measured weight of the product with a weight setting preset as the weight of the product, and confirming whether the scanned product and the weight-measured product are the same, Registration errors and fraud prevention are performed.

  However, the conventional self-checkout terminal is configured to perform weight check (check) every time one product is scanned. Therefore, if this weight check is not completed, the next product cannot be scanned. It was lacking. For this reason, if the self-register user does not know that a product is placed in a predetermined place after scanning the product due to reasons such as inexperience, there is a possibility that the next product cannot be registered. Also, in such a situation, the clerk (attendant) will support, but in some cases it may be necessary to attend from the start to the end of product registration, there was a possibility that the load on the clerk would increase .

  The self-checkout terminal according to the embodiment includes a recognition unit, a list management unit, a setting unit, a weighing unit, and a weight check unit. The recognition means recognizes the product code from the barcode attached to the product. Each time the recognizing unit recognizes the product code, the list management unit associates a flag indicating that the weight check has not been executed with the product code and registers it in the list. The setting means sets a product corresponding to any one or a plurality of product codes among the product codes in the list associated with the unexecuted flag as the target product for the weight check. The weighing means measures the weight of the target product. The weight check unit reads the weight range corresponding to the product code of the target product from the product data file storing the allowable weight range of the product corresponding to the product code of each product, and the weighing unit weighed Determine identity with weight. Further, the list management unit changes the flag of the product code corresponding to the target product determined by the weight check unit to be the same as the executed item that is excluded from the target of the weight check.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall system configuration according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of each part in the self-checkout system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a self-checkout terminal. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the scale device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shopping bag is held by the holding arm. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the payment terminal. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a PLU file. FIG. 7-2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight data file. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the scale device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of self-checkout processing at the self-checkout terminal. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight check list. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed in the self-checkout process of FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a screen displayed in the self-checkout process of FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the self-checkout process at the self-checkout terminal. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed in the self-checkout process of FIG.

  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.

  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 for reading a product code is arranged on the left side, a printer cover 204 and a monitoring camera 205 are arranged on the right side, and between these barcode scanner 203 and the printer cover 204 and the monitoring camera 205 are arranged. A card reading unit 206 and a keyboard 207 are arranged on the screen.

  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. 3, an antenna (not shown) is built in the back side of the portion marked “CARD” in the circle, and wireless communication with the non-contact IC card is established through this antenna. The keyboard 207 is used for inputting a personal identification number when making a 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.

  Furthermore, a voice output unit 219 including a speaker, a voice synthesizer, and the like is built in the upper part of the barcode scanner 203 of the upper housing 202b.

  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 disposed at the upper right position on the front surface of the base housing 202a. 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 and the processing procedure in a control part, since the content is known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a display pole 217 as an informing unit 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.

  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 various files such as an operation program, various display frames, a PLU file PF (see FIG. 7-1), a department file, a weight data file WDF (see FIG. 7-2), an image file, a sales file, and the like. (All but the PLU file PF and 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, various rule information, etc. Is moved to the RAM 254 for use. These PLU file PF, weight data file WDF, department file, image file, sales file, and other various files constitute a product data file.

  The PLU file PF constituting the product data file stores the product name, unit price (product price), image data, etc. of the product in a rewritable manner in association with the product code for specifying each product. The department file constituting the product data file stores the product name, unit price, image data, etc. of the product in a rewritable manner in correspondence with the department code for each product not stored in the PLU file PF.

  FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a PLU file PF constituting the product data file. The PLU file PF stores a product name, a unit price, and image data in association with the product code. Here, the product name is text data corresponding to the product name of the corresponding product. The image data is image data of a corresponding product. Such a PLU file PF may include a department file as another example.

  FIG. 7-2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a weight data file WDF that constitutes a product data file. The weight data file WDF stores a set weight, a product placement location definition, an allowable value type definition, an upper limit allowable value, and a lower limit allowable value in association with the product code. Such a weight data file WDF may be included in the PLU file PF and the department file as another example.

  In the set weight, a set value of the weight of the product specified by the product code is stored.

  The product placement location definition defines for each product whether the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306 should be used as the placement location of the product whose barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203. The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 interprets “0” as the placement table 303a, that is, the shopping bag 401, and “1” as the temporary placement table 306 during the weight check execution definition. As another example, the product placement location definition can be included in the PLU file PF.

  The allowable value type definition is information for determining whether the allowable width with respect to the set weight 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 is executed. At this time, an allowable range for the set weight is set. The permissible width is obtained as a ratio with respect to the weight value stored in the set weight 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 an allowable range for the set weight. In the case where the allowable value type definition sets the ratio to the weight value stored in the set weight as the allowable range, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are percentage values. In addition, the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the weight value stored in the set weight are specific numerical values in the allowable value type definition. In this case, the numerical values stored in the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are specific numerical values. It becomes itself.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of the payment terminal 201 shown in FIG. The control unit 253 includes a barcode scanner 203, LCD 210, touch panel 211, card reading unit 206, keyboard 207, card reader / writer 252, receipt printer 251, monitoring camera 205, light emitting unit 218, audio output unit 219, deposit / withdrawal device 221. An interface 260 that mediates data communication with the communication device is connected via the system bus 259 and is controlled by the control unit 253.

  The control unit 253 controls each of those units, and performs product code recognition processing, list management processing, target product setting processing, display control processing, weighing processing, weight check processing, settlement acceptance processing, and settlement processing. A self-checkout process including That is, the control unit 253 performs a product code recognition unit (recognition unit), a list management unit, a target product setting unit (setting unit), a display control unit, by executing each process included in the self-checkout process, A weighing unit, a weight check unit, a settlement accepting unit, and a settlement unit are realized.

  In the product code recognition process, when the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the product code specified by the barcode is recognized.

  The list management process generates a weight check list WCL, which will be described later, in the RAM 254, and each time a product code is recognized in the product code recognition process, the product code is associated with a weight check flag “not yet” indicating that the weight check has not been executed. Attach it to the weight checklist WCL. The list management process excludes the weight check flag of the corresponding product code registered in the weight check list WCL from the weight check target for the weight check target products determined to be identical in the weight check process. Change to “Done”.

  In the target product setting process, a product corresponding to any one or a plurality of product codes among the product codes of the weight check list WCL associated with the unexecuted flag is a target product for weight check (hereinafter referred to as a weight check target product). Is set).

  The display control process reads product information corresponding to each product code registered in the weight check list WCL from the product data file (PLU file PF, weight data file WDF), and sets the product information according to the state of the weight check flag. Displayed on the LCD 210.

  In the weighing process, the weight of the product (weight check target product) placed on the placement table 303a or the temporary placement table 306 of the scale device 301 is calculated based on the measurement result transmitted from the scale device 301.

  In the weight check process, the weight range corresponding to the product code of the weight check target product is read from the weight data file WDF, and a weight check is performed to determine the identity with the weight calculated in the weighing process. Here, whether or not they have the same is determined based on whether the weight of the product obtained based on the weight weighed by the scale device 301 is an allowable width (for example, an upper limit value and a lower limit value) defined in the weight data file WDF. ), That is, by determining whether it is within the weight range.

  The payment acceptance process accepts a signal that is input via the touch panel 211 or the keyboard 207 and instructs the start of the payment process.

  The payment process is a process of calculating a payment amount based on the unit price of each product (product code) for which the weight check has been completed, and executing the payment for the payment 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 addition, a communication interface 261 is also connected to the control unit 253 via a 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. 8 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. The scale frame 354 has an X shape when viewed from above, and the scale plates 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.

  The transmission of the weight data to the settlement terminal 201 is periodically performed as an example at regular intervals. As another example, the weight data is periodically transmitted after the user specifies the start of the self-checkout process. Is executed automatically. In this case, the cycle is desirably a short cycle such as several μsec to several hundred μsec.

  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, an example of the self-checkout process executed by the self-checkout terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the self-checkout process executed by the self-checkout terminal 101. When the start of the transaction is instructed via the touch panel 211, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 starts a self-checkout process.

  First, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 recognizes a product code specified by this barcode by executing a product code recognition process on the barcode read by the barcode scanner 203 (step S11). ). When the number of products (sales number) is specified at the time of reading the barcode, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 specifies the product code specified by the barcode and the specified sales. The number is stored in association with each other.

  Subsequently, the control unit 253 executes list management processing, and registers the product code recognized in step S11 in the weight check list WCL in association with the product number and weight check flag of the product (step S12).

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the weight check list WCL. When the start of the transaction is designated, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 generates a weight check list WCL illustrated in FIG. Each time the product code is recognized in step S11, the weight check list WCL registers the product code, the number of products, and the weight check flag in association with each other in the weight check list WCL.

  Here, the value of the number of products designated by the operator (customer) of the self-checkout terminal 101 is registered in the “number of products”. If the number of products is not specified, the default value “1” is registered. The “weight check flag” is a flag for identifying whether or not the weight check of the product corresponding to the product code has been performed. When registering in the weight check list WCL, “not yet” indicating that the weight check is not executed is added as a weight check flag.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes target product setting processing for setting the product corresponding to the product code registered in the weight check list WCL in step S <b> 13 as the weight check target product. Then, the control unit 253 compares the weight of the product whose weight is to be checked with the amount of change in weight measured by the scale device 301 (hereinafter referred to as “changed weight”), and executes a weight check process for confirming the identity. (Step S13).

  Here, the changed weight is a difference value between the weighing results transmitted from the scale device 301 at different times. For example, the weighing result (referred to as the original weight) transmitted earlier from the scale device 301 is 450 (g), and the weighing result (referred to as the current weight) transmitted after the original weight is 2,000 (g). In this case, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes a weighing process for subtracting the original weight from the current weight, thereby changing the weight 1,550 corresponding to the weight of the newly placed object placed on the scale device 301. (G) is calculated. The timing for acquiring the original weight and the current weight from the measurement result is not particularly limited. For example, the acquisition timing of the original weight is when the product code is recognized (step S11), and the acquisition timing of the current weight is after a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) from the acquisition of the original weight.

  Further, the weight of the product is the weight obtained by integrating the set weight of the weight data file WDF associated with the product code of the product whose weight is to be checked and its allowable width by the numerical value (the number of products) respectively set. It becomes. For example, if a product code of a product having a set weight of 310 (g) and an upper limit allowable value and a lower limit allowable value of 10 (g) is input and then a number 5 is designated as the product number, the set weight is Since 310 (g) × 5 = 1,550 (g) and the upper limit allowable value and the lower limit allowable value are 10 (g) × 5 = 50 (g), the weight of the product is 1,500-1,600. (G). The identity determination between the change weight and the product weight is made based on whether or not the change weight is included in the product weight range (weight range).

  As a result of the weight check in step S13, when the identity of the change weight and the weight of the product to be weight checked is confirmed (step S13; Yes), the control unit 253 adds the product code of the weight check target product whose identity has been confirmed. A list management process for changing the weight check flag of the associated weight check list WCL from “not yet” to “done” is executed (step S14), and the process proceeds to step S15. In addition, when the identity between the changed weight and the weight of the product cannot be confirmed (step S13; No), the process immediately proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the control unit 253 determines whether or not the start of the payment process is instructed by a predetermined operation via the touch panel 211 (step S15). Here, when the instruction to start the settlement process cannot be confirmed (step S15; No), the control unit 253 returns to step S11 again and starts recognizing a new product code.

  If an instruction to start the payment process is received (step S15; Yes), the control unit 253 refers to the weight check list WCL and determines whether or not there is a product whose weight check flag is “not yet”. (Step S16).

  If it is determined in step S16 that there is a product for which the weight check flag is “not yet” (step S16; Yes), the control unit 253 stores the PLU file PF and the weight data stored in association with the product code of the corresponding product. Using the information in the file WDF, a display control process for displaying information on the product whose weight check flag is “unknown” on the LCD 210 is executed (step S17). Next, the control unit 253 notifies the customer of the product that will be the next weight check target product by the target product setting process among the products whose weight check flag registered in the weight check list WCL is “not yet” (step S18). .

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 210 in steps S17 and S18. When the control unit 253 confirms a product whose weight check flag is “not yet” in the weight check list, the control unit 253 generates a screen D1 shown in FIG. In addition, when the control unit 253 reads predetermined information from the PLU file PF and the weight data file WDF based on the product code registered in the weight check list WCL, the control unit 253 uses these information to perform the product for which the weight check has not been executed. An image representing the product (hereinafter referred to as a weight check awaiting product) and the next weight check target product is displayed in the screen D1.

  Specifically, when the control unit 253 reads the product name and the unit price regarding the product whose weight check flag is “not yet” from the PLU file PF, the control unit 253 displays the product name and unit price in the area D11 in association with the product number of the product, thereby waiting for the weight check. List products. In the area D11, the product name, the unit price, and the number of products are displayed in association with each product code whose weight check flag is “not yet” among the product codes registered in the weight check list WCL of FIG. Is shown.

  In addition, the control unit 253 puts “product 1” into the plastic bag “product 1” that is the product for which the weight check flag is “unchecked” registered in the weight check list WCL. ”And the image data of“ product 1 ”read from the PLU file PF is displayed in the area D12 to notify the customer of the weight check target product. Here, the placement destination (plastic bag) of the weight check target product represented as a character string is based on the product placement location definition registered in the weight check list WCL.

  In addition, the selection method in particular of the goods made into the weight check object shall not be ask | required. For example, in accordance with the order of products (product codes) registered in the weight check list WCL, products (product codes) whose weight check flag is “not yet” may be sequentially selected. Alternatively, the set weight of each product (product code) registered in the weight check list WCL may be referred to from the weight data file WDF, and the weight check target product may be selected in ascending or descending order of the set weight.

  Further, the number of products subject to weight check is not limited to one, and may be a plurality of products. Here, the screen D2 illustrated in FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a plurality of products are weight check target products. In the figure, as in FIG. 11, among the products registered in the weight check list WCL, the product name and unit price read from the PLU file PF for each product for which the weight check flag is “not yet” are associated with the number of products. A displayed example is shown (see region D21). Also, in the figure, all the products displayed in the area D21 are weight check target products, and the fact is notified to the customer by a character string “Please put the following products in a plastic bag”.

  11 and 12, the weight check target product is notified using the display output on the LCD 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the weight check target product may be displayed using the voice output from the voice output unit 219. It is good also as a form to alert | report. For example, in the case of FIG. 11, together with the display output on the LCD 210, a message “Please put product 1 in a plastic bag” is output from the voice output unit 219, so that the weight check target product is notified by voice. Therefore, it is possible to notify the customer of the weight check target product more effectively.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the control unit 253 compares the amount of change in weight measured by the scale device 301 (hereinafter referred to as “changed weight”) with the weight of the weight check target product notified in step S <b> 18, and determines the identity. A weight check process to be confirmed is executed (step S19). When a plurality of products are set as weight check target products in step S18, the identity is determined based on whether or not the changed weight is included in the total weight range obtained by adding the weights of the respective products. To do.

  Subsequently, the control unit 253 waits until the identity between the change weight and the weight of the weight check target product can be confirmed (step S19; No). If it is determined that the change weight and the weight check target product are identical (step S19; Yes), the list management process is executed, and the weight check flag of the weight check list WCL associated with the product code of the weight check target product Is changed to “Done” (step S20), the process returns to step S16 again.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the weight check flags of all the products registered in the weight check list WCL are “completed” (step S16; No), the control unit 253 executes the above-described settlement processing ( Step S21), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the self-checkout terminal 101 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to perform a weight check every time a product code attached to a product is recognized (scanned), and product codes of a plurality of products are recognized. After that, since the weight check of the plurality of products can be performed individually or collectively, the convenience related to the weight check can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 selects the weight check target product. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operator (customer) of the self-checkout terminal 101 selects the product. It is good. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 as a modification of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the self-checkout process executed by the self-checkout terminal 101. This process is started in response to a transaction start instruction, as in the self-checkout process of FIG. 9 described above.

  First, the control unit 253 recognizes a product code specified by the barcode by executing a product code recognition process on the barcode read by the barcode scanner 203 (step S31). Next, the control unit 253 executes list management processing and registers the product code recognized in step S31 in the weight check list WCL in association with the product number of the product and the weight check flag (step S32).

  Subsequently, when the control unit 253 reads predetermined information regarding the product of the product code registered in the weight check list WCL from the PLU file PF and the weight data file WDF, the control unit 253 reads the read information according to the state of the weight check flag. The display control process for displaying on the LCD 210 in the form is executed (step S33).

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 210 in step S33. In step S33 (the same applies to steps S36 and S42 described later), the control unit 253 generates a screen D3 shown in FIG. In addition, when the control unit 253 reads predetermined information from the PLU file PF and the weight data file WDF based on the product code registered in the weight check list WCL, the control unit 253 uses the information to check the weight check pending product and the weight check. The products that have been completed (hereinafter referred to as weight-checked products) are displayed in a list in the screen D3.

  Specifically, when the product name and unit price relating to a product (product code) for which the weight check flag is “not yet” is read from the PLU file PF, the control unit 253 displays the product name and unit price in the region D31 in association with the product number of the product. , List products waiting for weight check. In the area D31 of FIG. 14, among the product codes registered in the weight check list WCL of FIG. 10, the product name, unit price, and number of products are associated with each product code for which the weight check flag is “not yet”. The displayed example is shown.

  Here, the product displayed in the region D31 is configured to be selectable via the touch panel 211. When the control unit 253 receives selection of a product displayed in the region D31 via the touch panel 211 (selection reception process), the control unit 253 executes target product setting processing for setting the selected product as a weight check target product. Note that the selectable number of products displayed in the region D31 is not particularly limited. When there is only one product displayed in the area D31, that is, when there is only one product code for which the weight check flag registered in the weight check list WCL is “not yet”, the control unit 253 displays the product as a weight. Automatically set to the check target product.

  Further, when the control unit 253 reads the product name and unit price regarding the product whose weight check flag is “completed” from the PLU file PF, the control unit 253 displays the product in the area D32 in association with the product number of the product, thereby checking the product. List. In the area D32 of FIG. 14, among the product codes registered in the weight check list WCL of FIG. 10, the product name, unit price, and number of products are associated with each product code having the weight check flag “completed”. The displayed example is shown.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the control unit 253 compares the changed weight measured by the scale device 301 with the weight of the weight check target product selected in step S <b> 33 and executes a weight check process for confirming the identity. (Step S34). When a plurality of products are set as weight check target products in step S33, the identity is determined based on whether or not the change weight is included in the total weight range obtained by adding the weights of these products. To do.

  In step S34, when the identity between the change weight and the weight of the weight check target product cannot be confirmed (step S34; No), the process proceeds to step S37. Further, when it is determined in step S34 that the change weight and the weight of the weight check target product are identical (step S34; Yes), the control unit 253 checks the weight associated with the product code of the weight check target product. A list management process for changing the weight check flag of the list WCL to “done” is executed (step S35). Next, the control unit 253 updates the display contents of the weight check waiting product and the weight checked product in order to reflect the change content of Step S35 (Step S36), and proceeds to Step S37.

  In step S <b> 37, the control unit 253 determines whether or not the start of the payment process is instructed by a predetermined operation via the touch panel 211 (step S <b> 37). Here, when the instruction for starting the settlement process cannot be confirmed (step S37; No), the process returns to step S31, and recognition of a new product code is started.

  If an instruction to start the payment process is received (step S37; Yes), the control unit 253 refers to the weight check list WCL and determines whether there is a product whose weight check flag is “not yet”. (Step S38).

  In step S38, when it is determined that there is a product for which the weight check flag is “not yet” (step S38; Yes), the control unit 253 notifies that there is a product waiting for weight check (step S39). In addition, since the screen (screen D3 of FIG. 14) showing the product whose weight has been checked has already been displayed, the notification in step S39 may be configured to display a message indicating that on the screen of the LCD 210. Moreover, it is good also as a form performed using the audio | voice output from the audio | voice output part 219. FIG.

  Subsequently, when the control unit 253 receives selection of a weight check target product from the weight check awaiting product (area D31 in FIG. 14), the control unit 253 changes the weight measured by the scale device 301 and the weight of the selected weight check target product. And a weight check process for confirming the identity is executed (step S40). Then, the control unit 253 waits until the identity between the change weight and the weight of the weight check target product can be confirmed (step S40; No).

  If it is determined that the change weight and the weight of the weight check target product are identical (step S40; Yes), the control unit 253 executes a list management process, and the weight associated with the product code of the weight check target product. The weight check flag of the check list WCL is changed to “Done” (step S41). Next, the control unit 253 updates the display contents of the weight check waiting product and the weight checked product in order to reflect the change content of Step S41 (Step S42), and proceeds to Step S38.

  If it is determined in step S38 that the weight check flags of all the products registered in the weight check list WCL are “completed” (step S38; No), the control unit 253 executes the above-described settlement process ( Step S43), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the self-checkout terminal 101 of this modified example, it is not necessary to perform a weight check every time a product code attached to a product is recognized (scanned), and product codes of a plurality of products are recognized. After that, since the weight check of the plurality of products can be performed individually or collectively, the convenience related to the weight check can be improved. Moreover, since the customer can select a product to be a weight check target product by adopting a configuration in which the weight check target product can be selected, convenience related to the weight check can be improved.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the PLU file PF and the weight data file WDF are stored in the self-checkout terminal 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and external devices that can be accessed by each self-checkout terminal 101 are not limited to these. The file may be stored.

  In the above embodiment, the store clerk uses the attendant terminal 501 to check the identity of the product. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The self-checkout terminal 101 in which the weight check error has occurred is the same. It is good also as a form which confirms sex.

  In addition, the program executed in the self-checkout terminal 101 and the attendant terminal 501 of the above-described embodiment can be installed in a file in an installable format or an executable format, a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD ( The recording medium may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a digital versatile disk).

  The program executed by the self-checkout terminal 101 and the attendant terminal 501 of the above embodiment is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is provided by being downloaded via the network. Also good. Further, the program executed by the self-checkout terminal 101 and the attendant terminal 501 of the above embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

101 Self-checkout terminal 201 Payment terminal 203 Barcode scanner 210 LCD
211 Touch Panel 218 Light Emitting Unit 219 Audio Output Unit 253 Control Unit 254 RAM
255 CPU
256 ROM
257 VRAM
258 HDD
259 System bus 260 Interface 261 Communication interface 301 Weighing device 303 Weighing pan 303a Mounting table 306 Temporary table 401 Plastic bag 501 Attendant terminal PF PLU file WDF Weight data file WCL Weight check list

JP 2008-299435 A

Claims (6)

Means for recognizing the product code from the barcode attached to the product;
Each time the recognition unit recognizes a product code, a list management unit that registers the product code in a list in association with a flag indicating that weight check has not been performed,
A setting means for setting a product corresponding to any one or a plurality of product codes among the product codes of the list associated with an unexecuted flag as a target product of the weight check;
Weighing means for weighing the target product;
The weight range corresponding to the product code of the target product is read from the product data file storing the allowable weight range of the product corresponding to the product code of each product, and the same as the weight measured by the weighing means Weight check means for determining
With
The list management unit changes a flag of a product code corresponding to the target product determined to be identical by the weight check unit to an executed state that is excluded from the target of the weight check. Terminal.   Read the product information corresponding to each product code registered in the list from the product data file storing the product information related to the product corresponding to the product code of each product, and the product information according to the state of the flag 2. The self-checkout terminal according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying on the display device in the form. A payment accepting means for accepting a payment instruction for a product registered in the list;
The self-checkout terminal according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays the product information when the payment accepting means accepts the payment instruction.   4. The self-execution according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays a list of products for which the weight check has not been executed, using product information of a product code associated with an unexecuted flag. 5. Checkout terminal. A selection receiving means for receiving selection of one or more products from the product information displayed on the display device;
5. The self-checkout terminal according to claim 4, wherein the setting unit sets the product for which the selection receiving unit has received a selection as the target product. Computer
Means for recognizing the product code from the barcode attached to the product;
Each time the recognition unit recognizes a product code, a list management unit that registers the product code in a list in association with a flag indicating that weight check has not been performed,
A setting means for setting a product corresponding to any one or a plurality of product codes among the product codes of the list associated with an unexecuted flag as a target product of the weight check;
Weighing means for weighing the target product;
The weight range corresponding to the product code of the target product is read from the product data file storing the allowable weight range of the product corresponding to the product code of each product, and the same as the weight measured by the weighing means Weight check means for determining
To function,
The list management unit changes a flag of a product code corresponding to the target product determined to be identical by the weight check unit to executed to exclude it from the target of the weight check.

Images