JP5570642B2 - Sales data processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a sales data processing apparatus and program.

  A code symbol reader that captures an image of a code symbol by an area image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) imaging device and outputs a product code has an area image in order to ensure the brightness necessary for imaging. In order to illuminate the human eye so that the code symbol is irradiated with light from the light source in synchronization with the image capturing by the sensor and the light is constantly irradiated from the light source, the image is captured by the area image sensor. There are those that irradiate light at regular intervals even when not.

  By the way, in the code reading apparatus as described above, in addition to the code reading mode for reading the code symbols, a liquid crystal screen reading mode for reading a coupon screen or the like displayed on the liquid crystal screen, a standby mode in which reading is not performed, and the like are provided. Yes.

The code reading apparatus according to the embodiment includes a light source control unit, a reading unit, and a discount determination unit. In the code reading mode in which a code symbol in an imaging area is imaged by the imaging means, the light source control means causes the light source that irradiates the imaging area to continuously emit light according to the timing of imaging by the imaging means, and the imaging means Thus, in the liquid crystal screen reading mode in which the liquid crystal screen in the imaging area is imaged, the light source flashes and emits light at a timing different from the timing of imaging by the imaging means. The reading means reads a product code from the code symbol. The discount determination unit determines whether the product of the product code read by the reading unit is a discount target based on a storage unit that stores product information for each product in association with the product code. The light source control means switches the light emission of the light source from the code reading mode to the liquid crystal screen reading mode when the discount determining means determines that the product is a discount target.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a checkout lane system including a code reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the code reader. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the code reading device. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of mode switching processing executed by the code reading device. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the code reading apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the code reading device. FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode and the standby mode. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of mode switching processing executed by the code reading device. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the self-POS according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the self-POS. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a product master. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a guidance screen. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sales registration process executed by the self POS.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a checkout lane system including a code reading device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a checkout lane system 4 includes a soccer stand 1 for placing a shopping basket containing merchandise, a code reading device 2 erected substantially at the center of the soccer stand 1, and a code reading A device 2 and a POS terminal 3 connected to each other via a transmission path (not shown) are provided.

  The POS terminal 3 performs sales registration of products purchased by customers. As shown in FIG. 1, the POS terminal 3 is provided with a keyboard 31, an operator display 32, a customer display 33, a printer 34 for printing receipts, a drawer 35 for storing cash and the like. It has been. The keyboard 31 is provided with a fastening key or the like necessary for settlement of the commodity price. The POS terminal 3 has the same configuration and functions as the POS terminal that is used as standard in this type of checkout lane system.

  The code reading device 2 is a device for reading a barcode attached to a product and outputting product information included in the barcode to the POS terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the code reader 2 mainly includes a reading window 21, a keyboard 22, a customer display 23, a store clerk display 24, a buzzer 25, an LED 26, and a mode switch 27. Yes.

  The keyboard 22 accepts input from various keys when registering a product that cannot be registered with a barcode. The customer display 23 displays the registered product name, price, etc. to the shopper or store clerk. The store clerk display 24 displays the registered product name, price, and other error messages to the operator store clerk.

  An image sensor 203 (see FIG. 2) is built in the code reading device 2 provided with the reading window 21. The imaging device 203 may be an imaging device using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), for example, or may be an imaging device using another imaging device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The image sensor 203 captures an image of a code symbol (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) or a liquid crystal screen that is held over an imaging area facing the reading window 21.

  The mode switch 27 is a switch for switching between a code reading mode and a liquid crystal screen reading mode. Here, the code reading mode is a mode that employs a light irradiation method suitable for imaging a code symbol such as a barcode with the image sensor 203 (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the liquid crystal screen reading mode is a mode that employs a light irradiation method suitable for imaging a liquid crystal screen of a portable electronic terminal or the like by the image sensor 203.

  In the present embodiment, the code reading mode is normally used, and when the mode switch 27 is pressed, the mode can be switched to the liquid crystal screen reading mode. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the mode switch 27 was pressed, the liquid crystal screen reading mode is switched to the code reading mode again. By switching to the liquid crystal screen reading mode in this way, the code reading device 2 images the discount coupon displayed on the liquid crystal screen of a portable electronic terminal or the like, reads the discount information from the captured image, etc. Can be used for discounts.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the code reading device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the code reading device 2 includes an image sensor 203, an illumination unit 201, and the above-described mode changeover switch 27 on the front surface 2 a of the main body. On the front surface 2a side of the code reading device 2, the product 208 is confronted by the operator's hand. A sheet 210 on which a barcode 209 is printed is attached to the product 208. When the operator reads the barcode 209 with the code reader 2, the operator adjusts so that the barcode 209 of the sheet 210 attached to the product 208 by the movement of the hand enters the imaging region of the imaging element 203. In the present embodiment, an example in which the reading target in the code reading device 2 is the barcode 209 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is a code symbol such as a two-dimensional barcode.

  The image sensor 203 receives reflected light from an image including the barcode 209 located on the front surface 2a of the code reader 2, that is, the product 208 on which the barcode 209 and the paper 210 on which the barcode 209 is printed are attached. The reflected light from the product 208 is converted into electrical information and image information of the product 208 is output.

  The illumination unit 201 is a light source that irradiates light to an imaging region in which an image is captured by the imaging element 203. In the present embodiment, the illumination unit 201 includes four light emitting diodes 204, 205, 206, and 207 arranged around the image sensor 203. In the present embodiment, the illumination unit 201 has a light irradiation range that is substantially the same as the image capturing area of the image by the image sensor 203 or a light irradiation range that is larger than the image capturing area of the image by the image sensor 203. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the code reading device 2. A lens 301 is provided inside the reading window 21 (see FIG. 2), and light in the imaging region is condensed by the lens 301 and forms an image on the imaging element 203. The image sensor 203 converts an optical signal incident on the image sensor 203 into an electrical signal in accordance with an image signal input from the image capture control unit 401, and outputs the electrical signal to the barcode decoder 302 as image information.

  The barcode decoder 302 extracts an image of the barcode 209 included in the image information input from the image sensor 203, and reads product information about the product from the extracted image of the barcode 209.

  The control unit 303 controls image capturing by the image sensor 203 and light irradiation by the illumination unit 201, and includes a main control unit 304, an illumination drive circuit 305, and the like. The main control unit 304 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an I / O port, and the like. The main control unit 304 is connected to the image sensor 203 and the illumination drive circuit 305, and controls the image sensor 203 and the illumination drive circuit 305, respectively.

  The CPU of the main control unit 304 functions as an imaging control unit 401, an image capturing unit 402, and a light source control unit 403 as shown in FIG. 3 by operating according to a program stored in the ROM expanded in the RAM. To do.

  The imaging control unit 401 outputs an imaging signal that instructs imaging of an image to the imaging element 203 and controls imaging of the image by the imaging element 203.

  The image sensor 203 captures an image of the imaging area when the imaging signal is in the ON state. Further, the image sensor 203 does not perform imaging when the imaging signal is in the OFF state.

  The image capturing unit 402 captures an image captured by the image sensor 203 into the RAM of the main control unit 304. The image capturing unit 402 analyzes the captured image and reads discount information and the like from the coupon image displayed on the liquid crystal screen.

  The light source control unit 403 outputs a light control signal instructing light irradiation to the illumination driving circuit 305, and controls light irradiation (light emission) by the lighting unit 201 via the illumination driving circuit 305.

  The illumination drive circuit 305 irradiates (emits) light from the illumination unit 201 when the light control signal is ON. The illumination drive circuit 305 does not irradiate (emit) light from the illumination unit 201 when the light control signal is in the OFF state.

  The light source control unit 403 is connected to a mode changeover switch 27, and the light emission control of the illumination unit 201 is performed by switching between the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode according to the state of the mode changeover switch 27.

  Next, the operation of the light source control unit 403 in the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode will be described. The light source control unit 403 changes the light emission pattern according to mode switching, and causes the illumination unit 201 to emit light.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode.

  FIG. 4A shows the output timing of the imaging signal. As an example, the imaging control unit 401 outputs, as an imaging signal, a rectangular wave pulse signal having a predetermined pulse length, pulse period, and pulse interval, as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4B shows the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode.
As an example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light source control unit 403 outputs a rectangular wave pulse signal having a pulse length equivalent to the pulse length of the imaging signal as an optical control signal.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the code reading mode, the light source control unit 403 causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit pulses. In the code reading mode, the light source control unit 403 outputs the light control signal in synchronization with the imaging signal. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the imaging signal and the light control signal are both in the ON state at t0 to t1, t2 to t3, and t4 to t5, and the pulse length t is similarly applied after t5. The rectangular pulse signal with the pulse period T is continuously output. Thereby, the illumination unit 201 emits pulses in synchronization with the imaging signal.

  As described above, in the code reading mode, the light source control unit 403 causes the illumination unit 201 to emit light in accordance with the image capturing timing of the image sensor 203. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently irradiate the image capturing area or the product 208 held over the image capturing area and improve the image quality of the image captured by the image capturing unit 402.

  FIG. 4C shows the output timing of the light control signal in the liquid crystal screen reading mode.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, in the liquid crystal screen reading mode, the light source control unit 403 causes the illumination unit 201 to emit pulses intermittently. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the light control signal is intermittently turned on at t6 to t2, t7 to t4, t8 to t9, and t10 to t11. Thereby, the illumination unit 201 intermittently emits pulses with a light emission pattern different from that in the code reading mode.

  Here, since the pulse period T of the light control signal in the code reading mode is, for example, about 1/30 second to several tenths of a second, it is generally impossible for a person to discriminate it from pulse light. Yes, it is recognized by human eyes as light that emits light continuously.

  On the other hand, in the liquid crystal screen reading mode, after irradiating light between t6 to t2 and t7 to t4, light is not irradiated in t4 to t8, which is a relatively long section, and pulse light emission is performed again after t8. Do. Thus, in the liquid crystal screen reading mode, the section 41 (for example, t6 to t4) where light is irradiated and the section 42 (for example, t4 to t8) where light is not irradiated are provided, and the section 42 where light is not irradiated. The length is set to a length that allows a person to recognize that the light is extinguished. By irradiating light in this way, the illumination unit 201 appears to flash and emit light in the liquid crystal screen reading mode.

  As described above, the light source control unit 403 causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit light in the code reading mode, and causes the illumination unit 201 to blink and emit light in the liquid crystal screen reading mode, and uses a different light emission pattern for each mode. Thereby, the operator can recognize that the mode is switched.

  Further, in the liquid crystal screen reading mode, the light source control unit 403 does not synchronize the light control signal with the imaging signal. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the light source control unit 403 performs the light control signal at times t6 to t2 and t7 to t4 from t1 to t2 and t3 to t4 while the imaging signal is turned off. Set to ON. As described above, the light source control unit 403 causes the illumination unit 201 to emit light at a timing different from the timing of imaging by the imaging element 203.

  Thereby, it is possible to avoid imaging in a time when the reflected light from the liquid crystal screen is strong, and the image quality of the image captured by the image capturing unit 402 can be improved.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the pulse length t of the light control signal in the liquid crystal screen reading mode is set to the same length as the pulse length t of the imaging signal. However, the pulse length is not limited to this, and other It may be a length.

  Next, the procedure of the mode switching process will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the mode switching process executed by the code reading device 2.

  When the power switch (not shown) of the code reading device 2 is turned on, the main control unit 304 of the code reading device 2 starts the code reading mode (step S1). That is, the light source control unit 403 outputs a light control signal as shown in FIG. 4B to the illumination drive circuit 305, and causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit light in pulses.

  Next, the main control unit 304 determines whether or not the mode switch 27 is pressed and turned on (step S2). If the mode switch 27 is OFF and not ON (step S2: No), the process returns to step S2 to wait for input. On the other hand, when the mode switch 27 is turned on (step S2: Yes), the liquid crystal screen reading mode is started (step S3). That is, the light source control unit 403 outputs a light control signal as shown in FIG. 4C to the illumination drive circuit 305, and causes the illumination unit 201 to intermittently emit light in pulses.

  Then, the main control unit 304 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid crystal screen reading mode was started (step S4). While the predetermined time does not elapse (step S4: No), the process returns to step S4 and waits until the predetermined time elapses. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S4: Yes), the liquid crystal screen reading mode is ended and the code reading mode is started (step S1).

  In step S4 in FIG. 5, the mode is switched depending on whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. However, when an image on the liquid crystal screen is read, or when various information included in the image is read. In addition, the liquid crystal screen reading mode may be switched to the code reading mode.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the light emission pattern of the illumination unit 201 is made different between the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode, so that the operator can recognize that the mode has been changed.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a case where the code reading mode and the standby mode are switched and operated will be described. Note that the standby mode is a power saving mode in the code reader 2 and is a mode in which the imaging operation by the imaging device 203 is paused. Note that the standby mode is not limited to a specific power saving mode.

  FIG. 6 is an external perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the code reading device 2002 according to the second embodiment. The same components as those described above with reference to FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here. As shown in FIG. 6, the code reading device 2002 includes an infrared sensor 28 on the front surface 2a of the main body. The infrared sensor 28 is provided toward the imaging region of the imaging device 203, and outputs a detection signal when an object held in the sensor detection area near the front surface 2a of the code reader 2002 is detected.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the code reading device 2002. The same components as those described above with reference to FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here. As shown in FIG. 7, the detection signal of the infrared sensor 28 is input to the light source control unit 2403. Hereinafter, when a detection signal of the infrared sensor 28 is input to the light source control unit 2403, it is referred to as having a response of the infrared sensor 28.

  The main control unit 2304 of the code reading device 2002 switches from the code reading mode to the standby mode when there is no response from the infrared sensor 28 for a predetermined time or longer in the code reading mode. Further, when there is a response from the infrared sensor 28 in the standby mode, the main control unit 2304 switches from the standby mode to the code reading mode.

  The light source control unit 2403 performs light emission control of the illumination unit 201 in each mode by switching between the code reading mode and the standby mode according to the input from the infrared sensor 28.

  Next, the operation of the light source control unit 2403 in the code reading mode and the standby mode will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode and the standby mode. FIG. 8A shows the output timing of the imaging signal. FIG. 8B shows the output timing of the light control signal in the code reading mode, and FIG. 8C shows the output timing of the light control signal in the standby mode.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, in the standby mode, the light source control unit 2403 causes the illumination unit 201 to emit pulses intermittently. That is, as shown in FIG. 8C, a section 41 in which the light control signal is turned on and light is emitted from the illumination unit 201, and a section 42 in which the light control signal is turned off and no light is emitted from the illumination unit 201. Are alternately set, and the length of the section 42 where the light is not irradiated is set to a length at which a person can recognize that the light is extinguished when viewed. By irradiating light in this manner, the light source control unit 2403 causes the illumination unit 201 to blink.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the code reading mode, the light source control unit 2403 causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit light in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As described above, the light source control unit 2403 causes the illumination unit 201 to emit light by changing the light emission pattern between the code reading mode and the standby mode.

  In the standby mode, since the liquid crystal screen is not irradiated as described above in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to synchronize the light control signal with the imaging signal. Accordingly, in the standby mode, the light source control unit 2403 may or may not synchronize the light control signal with the imaging signal.

  Next, the procedure of the mode switching process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of mode switching processing executed by the code reading device 2002.

  When the power switch (not shown) of the code reading device 2002 is turned on, the main control unit 2304 of the code reading device 2002 starts the code reading mode (step S11). That is, the light source control unit 2403 outputs a light control signal as shown in FIG. 8B to the illumination drive circuit 305, and causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit light in pulses.

  Next, the main control unit 2304 determines whether or not there is no response from the infrared sensor 28 for a predetermined time or more (step S12). If the response of the infrared sensor 28 is within a predetermined time (step S12: No), the process returns to step S12 and waits for processing. On the other hand, if there is no response from the infrared sensor 28 for a predetermined time or longer (step S12: Yes), the code reading mode is ended and the standby mode is started (step S13). In other words, the light source control unit 2403 outputs a light control signal as shown in FIG. 8C to the illumination drive circuit 305, causing the illumination unit 201 to intermittently emit light in pulses.

  Then, the main control unit 2304 determines whether or not there is a reaction in the infrared sensor 28 (step S14). While the infrared sensor 28 is not reacting (step S14: No), the process returns to step S14 and waits for a response until the infrared sensor 28 reacts. On the other hand, when the infrared sensor 28 has reacted (step S14: Yes), the standby mode is ended and the code reading mode is started (step S11).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the light emission pattern of the illumination unit 201 is different between the code reading mode and the standby mode, the operator can recognize that the mode has been changed.

  The programs executed by the code reading devices 2 and 2002 according to the first and second embodiments are provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like, but are not limited thereto. For example, the program executed by the code readers 2 and 2002 is an installable format or executable format file, and is a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The information may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the user.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the code readers 2 and 2002 of the first and second embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and is provided by being downloaded via the network. You may do it. The program executed by the code readers 2 and 2002 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The programs executed by the first and second code reading apparatuses 2 and 2002 are the above-described units (main control units 304 and 2304, imaging control unit 401, image capturing unit 402, light source control units 403 and 2403, etc.). As the actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads out the program from the ROM and executes it to load the above-described units onto the main storage device. The main control units 304 and 2304, and imaging control The unit 401, the image capturing unit 402, the light source control units 403, 2403, and the like are generated on the main storage device.

  In the above description, the first embodiment describes the code reader 2 that switches the mode by the mode switch 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the infrared sensor 28 (see FIGS. 6 and 6) in the second embodiment. 7), the code reader 2002 that performs mode switching has been described. However, the code reader may be provided with both the mode switch 27 and the infrared sensor 28. The code reading device may perform mode switching in response to switching of the mode switch 27 or the response of either the infrared sensor 28.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the control unit 303 of the code reading device 2 and 2002 performs the above-described processes, but the POS terminal 3 may perform the above-described processes. In the first and second embodiments, the case where the code reading devices 2 and 2002 and the POS terminal 3 are separate has been described, but the code reading device and the POS terminal may be integrated.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, a case where a self-checkout device (hereinafter simply referred to as self-POS) with a built-in scanner is used as an embodiment when the code reading device and the POS terminal are integrated will be described. The self-POS is a sales data processing device for a customer himself to perform product registration processing and payment processing as an operator, and is installed in a store such as a supermarket.

  FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the self-POS 5 according to the third embodiment. A display 62 having a touch panel 61 disposed on the surface thereof is provided on the top of the main body 60 of the self-POS 5. A reading window 63 is provided in the main body 60 below the display 62. Inside the reading window 63, a scanner 64 for reading a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to a product is disposed. A hand scanner 65 is connected to the main body 60 via an interface.

  As the scanner 64, a scanner having the same configuration as that of the code reader 2 described above with reference to FIGS. However, in the present embodiment, the function of the main control unit 304 (see FIG. 3) of the code reading device 2 is realized by the control unit 50 (see FIG. 11) of the self-POS 5 and therefore has a configuration different from that of the code reading device 2. This is described as a scanner 64. Regarding the configuration other than the main control unit 304, the scanner 64 has a configuration equivalent to the configuration provided in the code reading device 2.

  A customer who is an operator can read a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to a product by using the scanner 64 or the hand scanner 65, and purchases each product using the product code included in the code symbol. Sales registration can be made. Further, an infrared sensor 87 is provided inside the reading window 63, and a product or a hand held over the reading window 63 can be detected.

  As the display 62, for example, a liquid crystal display is used. The display 62 is a guide screen for notifying the customer of the operation method of the self-POS 5, an input screen for inputting product information of products without a code symbol, and a product read by the scanner 64 or the hand scanner 65. A registration screen for displaying information, a total amount of products, a deposit amount, a change amount, etc. are displayed, and a settlement screen for selecting a payment method is displayed.

  Further, the main body 60 of the self-POS 5 is provided with a card insertion slot 70 for inserting a customer's point card or credit card at the time of payment. The main body 60 is provided with a receipt issuing port 71 for issuing a receipt printed by a printer 83 (see FIG. 11) provided inside the main body 60.

  Further, the main body 60 has a banknote deposit / withdrawal port 72 for depositing bills for settlement and receiving fishing bills, a coin slot 73 for throwing coins in during settlement, and a coin outlet 74 for receiving fishing coins. Etc. are provided. The bills and coins deposited from the bill deposit / withdrawal port 72 and the coin insertion port 73 are stored in a deposit / withdrawal unit 85 (see FIG. 11) provided inside the main body 60. The banknotes and coins paid out from the deposit / withdrawal unit 85 are conveyed to the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 72 or the coin outlet 74.

  Further, a pole is provided on the upper surface of the main body 60, and a warning light 75 that is turned on when there is an abnormality in the operation of the self POS 5 or when calling a store clerk is provided on the top of the pole. .

  A product placement table 66 is provided on the right side of the main body 60 for placing an unsettled product in a basket, and a product placement table 67 is provided on the left side of the main body 60 for placing a settled product. Yes. On the upper part of the pole erected on the upper surface of the product placing table 67, a temporary placing table 69 is provided for temporarily placing the settled products before putting them in the bag. Further, on the front side of the temporary placing stand 69, there is provided a bag hook 68 for hanging a bag for putting a product already settled. Inside the product mounting table 67, a measuring device 86 for measuring the weight applied to the product mounting table 67, the bag hook 68, and the temporary mounting table 69 is provided.

  Next, a functional configuration of the self POS 5 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the self-POS 5. The self-POS 5 includes a control unit 50 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM and a RAM (both not shown) that function as storage means. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs, and stores sales data indicating sales records of products and various screen display data to be displayed on the display 62. is there.

  The control unit 50 includes a touch panel 61, a display 62, a scanner 64, a hand scanner 65, an HDD 80, a communication I / F 82, a warning light 75, a printer 83, a card reader 84, a deposit / withdrawal unit 85, via various interfaces and buses. Devices such as a scale 86 and an infrared sensor 87 are connected. The control unit 50 controls these devices and controls the entire system of the self-POS 5.

  Similarly to the code reading device 2 described above with reference to FIG. 2, the scanner 64 includes an image sensor 203 and a barcode decoder 302, and the control unit 50 controls the operations of these units. Further, the scanner 64 is provided with an illuminating unit 201 that illuminates the imaging region of the imaging element 203 as in the code reading device 2 described above with reference to FIG. The control unit 50 controls the light emission operation of the illumination unit 201 via the illumination drive circuit 305.

  The printer 83 prints a receipt after the accounting process and issues it from the receipt issuing port 71. The card reader 84 reads information on the customer's point card or credit card inserted from the card insertion slot 70. The deposit / withdrawal unit 85 stores banknotes and coins, and performs these deposit / withdrawal processes.

  The HDD 80 stores a product master 81. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the product master 81. As shown in FIG. 12, the merchandise master 81 corresponds to the merchandise code, a set weight range in which the merchandise name, unit price, and the weight range of the merchandise are set, a discount flag indicating whether the product is a discount target product, a value Various product information such as a discount price, which is a price after discount, and a discount code used for performing discount processing of the product are stored.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the control unit 50 is used for a store server 90 connected to a network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network) via the communication I / F 82 and a store clerk (attendant) that assists each process of self-check. It is possible to communicate with an attendant terminal (not shown). The store server 90 generally performs management such as merchandise sales registration processing performed by one or a plurality of self-POSs 5 installed in the store.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the store server 90 has a normal computer configuration including a control unit 91 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, a communication I / F 92, a display 93, and an input device 94 such as a keyboard. Yes. The control unit 91 can perform data communication with the self POS 5 via the communication I / F 92 and the network NT, and can update or edit the data of the product master 81.

  Next, a more detailed functional configuration of the self POS 5 will be described. The control unit 50 of the self-POS 5 expands and executes the program of the present embodiment stored in the ROM on the RAM, thereby executing an imaging control unit 51, an image capturing unit 52, a light source, as shown in FIG. It functions as a control unit 53, an input reception unit 54, a weight check unit 55, a discount determination unit 56, a display control unit 57, and a sales registration unit 58.

  The imaging control unit 51 has the same function as the imaging control unit 401 (see FIG. 3) of the code reading device 2, outputs an imaging signal to the imaging element 203 of the scanner 64, and captures an image by the imaging element 203. To control.

  The image capturing unit 52 captures an image captured by the image sensor 203 into a RAM included in the control unit 50.

  The light source control unit 53 has the same function as the light source control unit 403 (see FIG. 3) of the code reading device 2, and controls the light emission operation of the illumination unit 201 by outputting a light control signal to the illumination drive circuit 305. . Further, the light source control unit 53 switches from the code reading mode to the liquid crystal screen reading mode (see FIG. 4) when the product is determined to be discounted by the discount determination unit 56 described later, and the illumination unit 201 The light emission control is performed. Since the code reading mode and the liquid crystal screen reading mode have been described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, the light source control unit 53 switches the light emission mode of the illumination unit 201 to the standby mode (see FIG. 8) when there is no response from the infrared sensor 87 for a predetermined time. Since the standby mode has been described in the second embodiment, a description thereof is omitted here.

  The input receiving unit 54 reads information such as a product code or a discount code incorporating product discount information from the code symbol image included in the image captured by the image capturing unit 52 and inputs the code. Accept. Here, the input receiving unit 54 reads various information from the code symbol. However, when the self POS 5 has a configuration capable of character recognition, pattern recognition, and object recognition, the above-described various information is obtained from an image other than the code symbol. May be read.

  Further, when the product code or the discount code stored in the code symbol attached to the product is read by the hand scanner 65, the input receiving unit 54 receives the input of the code. Further, the input receiving unit 54 corresponds to a product purchased by a customer based on an input to the touch panel 61 when an input button indicating a product name or quantity is touch-input on an input screen displayed on the display 62. The product code is read from the storage unit or the like and the input of the product code is accepted.

  The weight check unit 55 reads the set weight range corresponding to the product code received by the input receiving unit 54 from the product master 81, and compares the set weight range with a changed weight that is a change amount of the weight applied to the measuring device 86. Then, a weight check process for confirming the identity is performed. That is, the weight check unit 55 determines that there is identity when the change weight, which is the difference value between the weighing results transmitted from the weighing device 86 at different times, is within the set weight range of the product. In addition, since the existing method should just be used about the measuring method of change weight, and the determination method of identity, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The discount determination unit 56 refers to the product master 81 and determines whether the product of the product code received by the input receiving unit 54 is a discount target. For example, the discount determination unit 56 determines that a product whose discount flag is 1 stored in the product master 81 is a discount target, and a product whose discount flag is 0 is not a discount target. Is determined.

  The display control unit 57 controls display processing on the display 62 and displays a screen such as a registration screen 620 (see FIG. 13) for registering merchandise and a settlement screen for performing transaction processing for one transaction on the display 62. .

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the registration screen 620. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the display control unit 57 reads product information such as the product name and unit price of the product for which the input receiving unit 54 has received the product code from the product master 81 and displays it on the registration screen 620. In addition, the registration screen 620 is provided with an accounting button 622 for accounting for one transaction. A customer who is an operator can perform transaction processing for one transaction by touch-selecting the transaction button 622.

  Further, the display control unit 57 displays an error message indicating that the weight of the product is not appropriate when the weight check unit 55 determines that the set weight range corresponding to the product code is not identical to the above-described change weight. 62 is displayed.

  The display control unit 57 displays a display area 621 as shown in FIG. 13 on the registration screen 620 when the discount determination unit 56 determines that the product is a discount target. The display area 621 includes a message that the product is a discount target product, or a message that asks whether or not to present a coupon (coupon screen) for discounting. In the display area 621, a button 621a with “Yes” and a button 621b with “No” are displayed corresponding to the message.

  When the “No” button 621 b is selected, the display control unit 57 determines that no coupon is presented, stops displaying the display area 621, and displays only the registration screen 620 on the display 62. On the other hand, when the “Yes” button 621a is selected, the display control unit 57 urges the scanner 64 to read the coupon screen displayed on the display of the customer's portable electronic device or the like as shown in FIG. A guidance screen 623 (see FIG. 14) is displayed on the display 62.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the guidance screen 623. As shown in FIG. 14, the guidance screen 623 displays a message that directs the coupon screen displayed on the display of the portable electronic device or the like to be read by the scanner 64 close to the reading window 63. Note that a cancel button 623 a is provided on the guide screen 623, and when the cancel button 623 a is selected, the display control unit 57 ends the display of the guide screen 623 and displays the registration screen 620 on the display 62.

  The customer displays a coupon screen on the display of the portable electronic device in accordance with the message displayed on the guidance screen 623 and holds the coupon screen over the reading window 63. The image capturing unit 52 captures an image captured by the image sensor 203, and the input receiving unit 54 receives a discount code input from a code symbol included in the image. The discount determination unit 56 determines whether or not the input discount code is an appropriate discount code stored in the product master 81.

  The sales registration unit 58 registers the product of the product code received by the input receiving unit 54 as a product purchased by the customer, and calculates the total purchase price of the product purchased by the customer. In addition, the sales registration unit 58 determines that the discount is determined by the discount determination unit 56, and when the received discount code is determined to be an appropriate discount code, the sales registration unit 58 discounts the product. And register for sale. Further, when the discount price is set as the discounted sales price in the product master 81 as shown in FIG. 12, the sales registration unit 58 applies the discount price to the discount target product. And register for sales.

  Next, the procedure of the sales registration process executed by the self POS 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sales registration process executed by the self POS 5.

  First, the light source control unit 53 starts a code reading mode, outputs a light control signal as shown in FIG. 4B to the illumination drive circuit 305, and causes the illumination unit 201 to continuously emit light (step S21). . The image capturing unit 52 captures an image captured by the scanner 64 into the RAM.

  The input receiving unit 54 determines whether an input of a product code has been received from the code symbol image included in the image captured by the image capturing unit 52 (step S22). When the input of the product code is received (step S22: Yes), the weight check unit 55 determines between the set weight range read from the product master 81 for the product code and the changed weight in the measuring device 86. It is determined whether or not there is identity (step S23).

  If the weights are not identical (step S23: No), the display control unit 57 displays an error display indicating that the weight is not appropriate on the display 62, and the sales registration unit 58 stops the sales registration process of the product ( Step S24). On the other hand, if the weights are the same (step S23: Yes), the display control unit 57 reads the product information corresponding to the product code from the product master 81 and displays it on the registration screen 620 (see FIG. 13) (step 13). S25).

  Then, the discount determination unit 56 refers to the product master 81 and determines whether or not the product for which the input reception unit 54 has received the product code is a discount target (step S26). If it is not a discount target product (step S26: No), the sales registration unit 58 determines whether or not the accounting button 622 (see FIG. 13) on the registration screen 620 has been selected and a settlement instruction has been accepted (step S27). When the payment instruction is not accepted (step S27: No), the process returns to step S22 and the processes after step S22 are performed. When a payment instruction is accepted (step S27: Yes), the sales registration unit 58 performs a payment process (step S28) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if it is a discount target product (step S26: Yes), the light source control unit 53 switches the light emission control of the illumination unit 201 from the code reading mode to the liquid crystal screen reading mode (step S29). Further, the display control unit 57 displays a guidance screen 623 as shown in FIG. 14 on the display 62 (step S30). Here, the case where the guide screen 623 is displayed in the case of step S29: Yes has been described, but as described above, the display control unit 57 shows the display area 621 in FIG. 13 before displaying the guide screen 623. Such a confirmation screen may be displayed. The display screen of the display control unit 57 and its display procedure can be set as appropriate.

  Next, the image capturing unit 52 captures an image captured by the scanner 64 into the RAM, and the input receiving unit 54 receives various information input from the image captured by the image capturing unit 52. Then, the input receiving unit 54 determines whether or not an appropriate discount code corresponding to the product code received in step S22 has been read from the image captured by the image capturing unit 52 (step S31).

  When an appropriate discount code is read (step S31: Yes), the sales registration unit 58 applies the discount price stored in the product master 81 to the product and performs sales registration. That is, the product is discounted (step S32). Then, the light source control unit 53 switches the issue control of the illumination unit 201 from the liquid crystal screen reading mode to the code reading mode (step S33), and proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, when the discount code is not read or when the discount code is different from the appropriate code registered in the product master 81 (step S31: No), the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the input receiving unit 54 determines whether or not the cancel button 623a is selected on the guidance screen 623 (see FIG. 14). While the cancel button 623a is not selected (step S34: No), the process returns to step S31. When the cancel button 623a is selected (step S34: Yes), the process proceeds to step S21, and the light source control unit 53 switches the light emission mode of the illumination unit 201 from the liquid crystal screen reading mode to the code reading mode (step S21). In the same manner as described above, the processing after step S22 is continued.

  In step S22, when the input of the product code is not accepted (step S22: No), the light source control unit 53 determines whether or not the response from the infrared sensor 87 has continued for a predetermined time or longer (step S22). S35). If there is a response from the infrared sensor 87 (step S35: No), the process proceeds to step S22, and the processing after step S22 is continued in the same manner as described above.

  On the other hand, when there is no response from the infrared sensor 87 for a predetermined time or longer (step S35: Yes), the light source control unit 53 switches the light emission mode of the illumination unit 201 from the code reading mode to the standby mode (step S36). Next, the light source control unit 53 determines whether or not there is a response from the infrared sensor 87 every predetermined time (step S37). While there is no sensor response (step S37: No), it waits for a response until there is a sensor response (step S37). When there is a sensor response (step S37: Yes), the light source control unit 53 switches the light emission mode of the illumination unit 201 from the standby mode to the code reading mode (step S21), and performs the processing after step S22 as described above. continue.

  As described above, the self-POS 5 of the third embodiment causes the illumination unit 201 to emit light by changing the light emission pattern between the code reading mode, the liquid crystal screen reading mode, and the standby mode. Thereby, the customer who is an operator can recognize that the light emission mode of the illumination part 201 was changed.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, the self-POS 5 switches the light emission mode of the illumination unit 201 to the liquid crystal screen reading mode when the product is a discount target product, so that the operator is not conscious of switching the light emission mode. The light emission mode can be easily switched.

  In the above description, the form using the self-POS 5 has been described. However, a code in which each function of this embodiment is provided in a POS terminal (for example, the POS terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1) and the POS terminal is connected by an interface or a network. The light emission mode in the reading device may be switched as described above.

  In the above description, as shown in steps S35 to S36 in FIG. 15, the standby mode is entered when there is no response from the infrared sensor for a predetermined time. However, the standby mode may be entered under other conditions. For example, the light source control unit 53 may be configured to shift the illumination unit 201 to the standby mode when a change in weight is not detected for a predetermined time in the measuring device 86. In the case where the self-POS 5 includes a measuring instrument other than the measuring instrument 86, the illumination unit 201 may be shifted to the standby mode when a weight change in the measuring instrument is not detected for a predetermined time.

  Note that the program executed by the self POS 5 of the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like, but is not limited thereto. For example, the program executed by the self-POS 5 of the present embodiment is an installable format or executable format file, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. The information may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the user.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the self-POS 5 of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. In addition, the program executed by the self-POS 5 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, when the mode is switched, the light emission pattern of the light source is changed, so that the operator (a clerk or a customer) recognizes that the mode has been changed. Can do.

  Further, according to each of the embodiments described above, it is not necessary to provide the code reading devices 2 and 2002 and the self-POS 5 with guidance illumination different from the illumination unit 201 in order to notify the operator that the mode has been changed. Therefore, space saving or cost reduction of the code readers 2 and 2002 can be achieved.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

2, 2002 Code reader 21 Reading window 3 POS terminal 4 Checkout lane system 5 Self POS
27 Mode Change Switch 28 Infrared Sensor 41 Light Irradiation Section 42 Light Irradiation Section 61 Touch Panel 62 Display 63 Reading Window 64 Scanner 65 Hand Scanner 66, 67 Product Placement Table 86 Measuring Instrument 87 Infrared Sensor 201 Illumination Unit 203 Imaging Element 204 , 205, 206, 207 Light emitting diode 208 Product 209 Bar code 210 Paper 302 Bar code decoder 303 Control unit 304, 2304 Main control unit 305 Illumination drive circuit 401 Imaging control unit 402 Image capture unit 403, 2403 Light source control unit 620 Registration screen 621 Display area 623 Guide screen

JP 2009-20611 A

Claims (6)

In the code reading mode to image the code symbol in the image pickup area by the imaging means, wherein the light source for irradiating continuously emit light in accordance with the timing of imaging by the imaging means to imaging region, the imaging region Ri by said image pickup means In a liquid crystal screen reading mode for picking up an image of the liquid crystal screen, light source control means for causing the light source to flash and emit light at a timing different from the timing of imaging by the imaging means,
Reading means for reading a product code from the code symbol;
A discount determination unit that determines whether a product of the product code read by the reading unit is a discount target based on a storage unit that stores product information for each product in association with the product code ;
The sales data processing device , wherein the light source control unit switches the light emission of the light source from the code reading mode to the liquid crystal screen reading mode when the discount determination unit determines that the product is a discount target . When the discount determination unit determines that the product is a discount target, a guidance screen that prompts the imaging unit to capture the coupon screen displayed on the display of the portable electronic device is displayed on the display unit. The sales data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising one display control means. The reading unit reads discount information related to product discounts from the liquid crystal screen in the imaging area captured by the imaging unit;
Sales registration means for discounting and registering the product with the product code read by the reading means and the discount information,
The light source control means switches the light emission of the light source from the liquid crystal screen reading mode to the code reading mode after the sales registration by the sales registration means.
The sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2 . Second display control for displaying, on the display unit, a selection screen for selecting whether or not to present a coupon screen for discounting the product when the discount determination unit determines that the product is a discount target. Further comprising means,
The light source control means switches the light emission of the light source from the liquid crystal screen reading mode to the code reading mode when it is selected that the coupon screen is not presented on the selection screen.
The sales data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The sales data processing according to claim 4, wherein when displaying the coupon screen on the selection screen is selected, a screen that prompts the coupon screen to face the reading window of the imaging unit is displayed on the display unit. apparatus. A computer that controls the sales data processor,
In the code reading mode to image the code symbol in the image pickup area by the imaging means, wherein the light source for irradiating continuously emit light in accordance with the timing of imaging by the imaging means to imaging region, the imaging region Ri by said image pickup means In a liquid crystal screen reading mode for picking up an image of the liquid crystal screen, light source control means for causing the light source to flash and emit light at a timing different from the timing of imaging by the imaging means,
Reading means for reading a product code from the code symbol;
Based on a storage unit that stores product information for each product in association with the product code , it functions as a discount determination unit that determines whether the product of the product code read by the reading unit is a discount target. ,
The light source control unit is a program for switching light emission of the light source from the code reading mode to the liquid crystal screen reading mode when the discount determination unit determines that the product is a discount target .

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