JP5499110B2 - Checkout terminal device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a check-out of the normal or self to switchable checkout terminal equipment.

  In recent years, self-checkout terminal devices have been developed in order to reduce the labor costs of cashiers installed in the register corners of stores and to shorten the waiting time for the settlement of products at the register corners. In the self-checkout terminal device, the customer himself performs a checkout (registration / settlement) operation for the product. The self-checkout terminal device is more expensive than a normal electronic cash register and requires a large installation space. For this reason, the introduction of the self-checkout terminal device at each store has not progressed easily. Under such circumstances, a self-checkout terminal device capable of switching between normal checkout and self-checkout has been developed. The self-checkout terminal device is rotatable to the cashier side and the customer side, and is arranged toward the cashier side for normal checkout and self-checkout for the customer side. Examples of such self-checkout terminal devices include Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 2003-85647 A JP 2009-187078 A

  The self-checkout terminal device is rotatably provided on the cashier side and the customer side by a mechanical rotation mechanism. When turning the self-checkout terminal device toward the cashier side or the customer side, for example, if it is difficult to understand the operation procedure when switching from normal checkout including rotation operation of the rotation mechanism to self-checkout, the normal checkout Switching to self-checkout takes time. Switching from self checkout to normal checkout also takes time. For this reason, there is a risk that the customer will wait at the register corner when switching between normal and self checkouts.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the respective checkout procedure for switching between normal and self is to provide a checkout terminal equipment which can shorten the time required for switching of the checkout normal and self.

A checkout terminal device according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a monitor that displays a status of checkout processing, a checkout terminal that can be switched to a normal or self checkout mode, and a checkout terminal that is rotatable. When switching to a normal or self checkout mode in at least two positions, a rotation mechanism that can be stopped at at least two positions, a lock mechanism that locks or unlocks the rotation of the rotation mechanism at at least two positions, Or a guidance notification unit for displaying at least a guidance on the operation procedure for switching to the self checkout mode on the monitor, and the guidance notification unit inputs the recognition number inputted from the outside and the normal or self checkout mode. Record the history of switching .

According to the present invention, the procedure for switching between normal and self checkouts can be easily understood, the time required for switching between the normal and self checkouts can be shortened , and switching to the normal or self checkout mode can be achieved. Record the ID number, the fact that switching from the self to the normal checkout mode and the date and time of the switching are recorded in the history memory, so the normal or self checkout mode is entered. You can know the set time zone, you can investigate the optimal time zone set for normal or self checkout mode according to the number of customers visiting the store and the number of store clerk, and also know the store clerk who switched it is possible to provide a check-out terminal equipment that can be.

The external view which shows one Embodiment of the checkout terminal device which concerns on this invention. The side view which shows the turntable in the same apparatus. FIG. 3 is a layout view of the apparatus facing the cashier side. Layout of the device facing the customer. The figure which shows the functional block of the apparatus. The figure which shows the functional block of CPU in the same apparatus. The figure which shows the display of the icon which prompts the display of the guidance by the guidance alerting | reporting part in the same apparatus. The guidance alerting | reporting flowchart in the same apparatus. The figure which shows the display of the guidance on the display in the apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a checkout terminal device. This checkout terminal device (hereinafter referred to as this device) 1 can be switched between a normal checkout mode and a self-checkout mode. The apparatus 1 is provided on a register support base 2 disposed at a register corner in a store, for example. On the register placing table 2, a shopping basket placing table 3 is arranged in parallel. The side on which the checkout terminal device 1 of the shopping basket stand 3 is arranged is referred to as a cashier side C, and the opposite side is referred to as a customer side V. In the apparatus 1, a display 11 for monitoring, a keyboard 12, a barcode scanner 13, a receipt printer 14, a drawer 15, and the like are provided on the apparatus body 10.

  The apparatus 1 is provided on the register support 2 via a turntable 16 as shown in FIG. The turntable 16 rotates the checkout terminal device 1 in the direction of arrow A about the rotation axis Z. The turntable 16 is formed in a disk shape, for example, and a shaft 17 is provided at the center position. The turntable 16 is provided with a lock mechanism (stopper) 18. The lock mechanism 18 locks and releases the rotation of the turntable 16. For example, the lock mechanism 18 is provided with a hole 19 in the turntable 16, and the lock member 20 is inserted into and removed from the hole 19 to lock and release the rotation of the turntable 16.

  In addition to the locking member 20, the locking mechanism 18 includes a lock button LB and a driver D for the locking member 20. The driver D receives a lock or unlock command from the CPU 21 and inserts / removes the locking member 20 into / from the hole 19. The driver D incorporates a computer and exchanges data and the like with the CPU 21. The positions of the holes 19 are provided in at least two places. The depth of the hole 19 is set to be different for the checkout mode and the self-checkout mode. Accordingly, the position where the locking member 20 hits the lower surface of the hole 19 is different, so that the driver D can recognize the position of the hole where the locking is performed. The apparatus 1 is placed on the turntable 16 and rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the cashier side C that enters the normal checkout mode shown in FIG. 3A and the customer side V that enters the self-checkout mode shown in FIG. 3B. Arranged in either direction. The cashier side C and the customer side V have different rotation angles of 90 °. Thereby, the hole 19 is provided on the turntable 16 of each position corresponding to the cashier side C and the customer side V.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 is equipped with a CPU 21. Connected to the CPU 21 are a display 11, a keyboard 12, a barcode scanner 13, a receipt printer 14, and a lock mechanism 18. A program memory 22, a data memory 23, and a history memory 24 are connected to the CPU 10.
The program memory 22 stores a guidance notification program in advance. This guidance notification program causes the CPU 10 to realize a guidance notification function for displaying guidance on an operation procedure for switching to the normal or self-checkout mode on the display 11.

  This guidance notification function includes a confirmation function for confirming whether or not the normal or self-checkout mode can be switched, and a turntable 16 for rotating the apparatus 1 if the normal or self-checkout mode can be switched. The lock release function for releasing the lock by the lock mechanism 18 and allowing the device 1 to rotate, and after the device 1 stops at either the cashier side C or the customer side V, the lock mechanism 18 A lock function for locking the rotation of the table 16 and a mode switching function for switching to the normal or self-checkout mode when the rotation of the turntable 16 is locked are realized.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 10 has the function of a registration settlement unit 30 and also has a function of a guidance notification 31 by executing a guidance notification program stored in the program memory 22. The registration settlement unit 30 registers the product name, unit price, and the like corresponding to the barcode attached to the product read by the barcode scanner 13, and performs settlement processing on the unit price of these products.

When the guidance notification 31 is switched to the normal or self-checkout mode at any one position of the cashier side C or the customer side V, the guidance 11 displays guidance on the operation procedure for switching to the checkout mode on the display 11. In addition to displaying the guidance, the guidance notification 31 may emit an operation procedure for switching to the checkout mode by voice.
Specifically, the guidance notification 31 confirms whether or not it is possible to switch to the normal or self-checkout mode. If the switching is possible, the lock of the turntable 16 by the lock mechanism 18 is released and the apparatus 1 is released. And the device 1 is stopped at either the cashier side C or the customer side V, and then the rotation of the turntable 16 is locked by the lock mechanism 18 to switch to the normal or self-checkout mode. Do.

  When switching to the normal or self-checkout mode, the guidance notification unit 31 first switches to the normal or self-checkout mode based on the recognition number (ID number) input from the outside such as the keyboard 12 or the barcode scanner 13. It is confirmed whether or not switching is possible. For example, the data memory 23 stores in advance an identification number (permission ID number) that permits switching to the normal or self-checkout mode. The guidance notification unit 31 compares the ID number input from the outside with the permission ID number stored in the data memory 23, and if these ID numbers are the same, permits the switching to the normal or self-checkout mode. If they are not the same, switching to the normal or self-checkout mode is not permitted. When the mode transition is not permitted, even if the user presses the lock button LB, the lock mechanism 18 does not operate.

When the guidance notification unit 31 switches to the normal or self-checkout mode, the history memory stores the ID number, the fact that the switching to the normal or self-checkout mode has been performed, the date and time of the switching, and the like. 24.
The guidance notification unit 31 displays on the screen of the display 11 a sign that prompts the display of guidance, for example, an icon 32 as shown in FIG. 6, and instructs the display of the guidance by performing a click operation or the like on the icon 32. Then, the same guidance is displayed on the display 11. This icon 32 is displayed on the display screen of the initial display 11 before starting the normal or self-checkout mode.

Next, the display operation of the guidance for switching to the normal or self-checkout mode in the apparatus configured as described above will be described according to the guidance notification flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the device 1 is arranged facing the cashier side C, and is set to a normal checkout mode. When switching from the normal checkout mode to the self-checkout mode, the present apparatus 1 is in an initial state before starting the normal or self-checkout mode, and the guidance notification unit 31 displays on the display screen of the display 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an icon 32 that prompts display of guidance is displayed.

For example, when the icon 32 is clicked by the store clerk, the guidance notification unit 31 activates the guidance notification program stored in the program memory 22, and in step S1, the first guidance screen F1 “ID number” shown in FIG. Please enter "on the display 11.
When the identification number (ID number) is input from the keyboard 12 or the barcode scanner 13 by the operation of the store clerk, the guidance notification unit 31 compares the ID number input from the keyboard 12 or the barcode scanner 13 with the permission ID number. If these ID numbers are the same, switching to the self-checkout mode is permitted. If not, switching to the self-checkout mode is not permitted.

When switching to the self-checkout mode is permitted, the guidance notification unit 31 displays a second guidance screen F2 “Please unlock the turntable 16” on the display 11 in step S2.
When the lock button LB in the lock mechanism 18 of the turntable 16 shown in FIG. 2 is pushed by a store clerk's operation, the lock mechanism 18 sends a notification of the push operation to the lock button LB to the guidance notification unit 31. The guidance notification unit 31 determines that the lock button LB has been pressed, enters a logon state in step S3, and sends a command to unlock the lock mechanism 18 to the lock mechanism 18 in the subsequent step S4. The lock mechanism 18 removes the lock member 20 from the hole 19 by driving the driver D, releases the lock of the turntable 16, and returns to the guidance notification section 31 that the lock is released.

The guidance notification unit 31 displays a third guidance screen F3 “Please rotate the turntable 16” on the display 11. By the operation of the store clerk, the present apparatus 1 is rotated 90 ° from the arrangement facing the cashier side C shown in FIG. 3A and switched to the arrangement facing the customer side V as shown in FIG. 3B.
The guidance notification unit 31 displays a fourth guidance screen F4 “Please lock the turntable 16” on the display 11. At this time, the guidance notification unit 31 may provide an instruction indicating that the device 1 is directed toward the cashier side C by pressing and operating a specific key in the keyboard 12, for example.

  When the lock button LB in the lock mechanism 18 of the turntable 16 shown in FIG. 2 is pushed by a store clerk's operation, the lock mechanism 18 sends a notification of the push operation to the lock button LB to the guidance notification unit 31. In step S5, the guidance notifying unit 31 determines whether or not the lock button LB is pressed from the lock mechanism 18, and if the lock button LB is pressed, the guidance notification unit 31 determines in step S6 that the lock mechanism LB is pressed. A command to lock 18 is returned to the lock mechanism 18. Thereby, the lock mechanism 18 inserts the locking member 20 into the hole 19 by driving the driver D, and locks the turntable 16. When the lock mechanism 18 detects that the driver D is in the position for the self-checkout mode and recognizes that the lock has been securely performed, the lock mechanism 18 returns the fact that the driver D has been locked to the guidance notification unit 31.

In step S7, the guidance notification unit 31 switches from the normal checkout mode to the self checkout mode.
The guidance notification unit 31 displays the fifth guidance screen F5 “Please press the end button” on the display 11. For example, when a specific end key in the keyboard 12 is pressed by a store clerk operation, the guidance notification unit 31 logs off and displays a sixth guidance screen F6 “completed” on the display 11.

  When the guidance notification unit 31 switches from the normal mode to the self-checkout mode as described above, the ID number, the fact that the switching from the normal mode to the self-checkout mode has been performed, and the date and time when the switching is performed, etc. The history is recorded in the history memory 24.

  On the other hand, when the device 1 is arranged facing the customer side V as shown in FIG. 3B and is set in the self-checkout mode, when the icon 32 is clicked, the guidance notification unit 31 is set to step S1. 1, the first guidance screen F <b> 1 “Please enter ID number” is displayed on the display 11. When the guidance notification unit 31 compares the ID number input from the keyboard 12 or the barcode scanner 13 with the permission ID number and permits switching to the normal checkout mode, the second guidance screen F2 is displayed in step S2. “Please release the lock of the turntable 16” is displayed on the display 11.

  When the lock button LB is pressed, the guidance notification unit 31 enters a logon state in step S3, and unlocks the lock mechanism 18 in subsequent step S4. The guidance notification unit 31 displays a third guidance screen F3 “Please rotate the turntable 16” on the display 11. The device 1 is switched from an arrangement facing the customer side V as shown in FIG. 3B to an arrangement facing the cashier side C shown in FIG. 3A.

  The guidance notification unit 31 displays a fourth guidance screen F4 “Please lock the turntable 16” on the display 11. When the lock button LB is pressed, the guidance notifying unit 31 returns a command to lock the lock mechanism 18 to the lock mechanism 18 in step S6 when receiving a notification that the lock button LB is pressed in step S5. Thereby, the lock mechanism 18 locks the turntable 16.

In step S7, the guidance notification unit 31 switches from the self checkout mode to the normal checkout mode.
The guidance notification unit 31 displays the fifth guidance screen F5 “Please press the end button” on the display 11. When a specific end key in the keyboard 12 is pressed, the guidance notification unit 31 logs off and displays a sixth guidance screen F6 “completed” on the display 11.
When the guidance notification unit 31 switches from the self to the normal checkout mode as described above, the guidance notification unit 31 performs the switching and the ID number, the fact that the switch from the self to the normal checkout mode has been performed. The history such as the date and time is recorded in the history memory 24.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the guidance of the operation procedure for switching to the normal or self-checkout mode is displayed on the display 11, and it is determined whether or not switching to the normal or self-checkout mode is possible. If it can be confirmed and switched, the lock of the turntable 16 that rotates the apparatus 1 is released to enable the apparatus 1 to rotate, and the apparatus 1 is positioned at either the cashier side C or the customer side V. After stopping at, the rotation of the turntable 16 is locked and switching to the normal or self-checkout mode is performed. Thereby, the store clerk can switch to each checkout mode while seeing the guidance of the operation procedure for switching to the normal or self-checkout mode displayed on the display 11, so that the operation procedure at the time of switching is easy to understand, Switching can be performed easily and the time required for switching can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the customer is waiting at the register corner.

  Since the ID number is confirmed and switching to the normal or self checkout mode is permitted, it is possible to limit the personnel who perform switching to the normal or self checkout mode, which is not related to the apparatus 1. It is possible to prevent a person from switching between checkout modes without permission. For example, only the store clerk can be allowed to switch to each checkout mode.

The guidance of the operation procedure for switching to each checkout mode displayed on the display 11 can display not only characters but also pictures, photos, and videos representing the content of the operation. Can be guidance.
When switching to the normal or self checkout mode, the history memory 24 stores the ID number, the fact that the switch from the self to the normal checkout mode has been performed, and the date and time of the switchover. Since it is recorded, it is possible to know the time zone set in the normal or self checkout mode, and the optimum time zone to be set in the normal or self checkout mode depending on the number of customers and the number of store staff. Can investigate. It is also possible to know the store clerk who switched.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

In the embodiment described above, the apparatus 1 is stopped at each position where the rotation angle between the cashier side C and the customer side V is different by 90 °, but at the stop position between the cashier side C and the customer side V. Accordingly, the rotation angle of the apparatus 1 may be set to 180 °.
Two or more positions where the device 1 rotates and stops may be set. For example, the stop positions of the cashier side C and the customer side V may be set at a plurality of locations according to the arrangement at the register corner in the store.

  1: Checkout terminal device, 2: Register support table, 3: Shopping basket table, 10: Main body, 11: Display, 12: Keyboard, 13: Bar code scanner, 14: Receipt printer, 15: Drawer, 16: Turntable, 17: shaft, 18: locking mechanism, 19: hole, 20: locking member, 21: CPU, 22: program memory, 23: data memory, 24: history memory, 30: registration settlement section, 31: guidance Notification, LB: Lock button, D: Driver.

Claims (2)

A checkout terminal that has a monitor that displays the status of the checkout process and can be switched to a normal or self checkout mode;
A rotation mechanism that rotatably supports the checkout terminal and can stop at at least two positions;
A lock mechanism for locking or unlocking the rotation of the rotation mechanism at the at least two positions;
When switching to the normal or self checkout mode at the at least two positions, a guidance notification unit for displaying guidance on an operation procedure for switching to the normal or self checkout mode on at least the monitor;
Comprising
The check-out terminal device, wherein the guidance notification unit records a history of an identification number input from the outside and switching to the normal or self check-out mode. The guidance notifying unit, when switching to the normal or the self checkout mode, and the identification number, the fact of performing the switching to the normal or the self checkout mode, was performed the switching checkout terminal according to claim 1, wherein the recording the history during the day in the history memory.

Images