JP7044502B2 - Product data registration device - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product data registration device.

Conventionally, there is a product data registration device used in combination with a POS terminal device. The product data registration device identifies and registers the product based on the appearance of the product held over the image pickup unit and the information obtained by imaging the code image attached to the product. The POS terminal device pays for the product registered by the product data registration device. The checkout lane including the POS terminal device and the product data registration device as described above is suitable for a two-person system realized by two operators, a checker and a cashier.

Recently, the number of checkout lanes in which the above-mentioned cashier is configured to perform the payment operation performed by the POS terminal device by the customer himself / herself using the accounting device (payment machine) is increasing. Then, in order to make such a checkout lane more convenient, the product data registration device and the accounting device have been devised.

As a part of this, in the product data registration device, while the usability of each part such as the display part for the checker and the display part for the customer is devised, each position, size, and tilt range are tried and errored again.

In particular, when the hardware (board, etc.) that constitutes the engine is mounted on the checker display unit, the thickness of the checker display unit increases compared to the conventional one. It interferes with the customer display. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a new arrangement of each part.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to solve a problem related to the arrangement of each component that occurs in improving the usability of the product data registration device, and to provide a product data registration device more suitable than the conventional one.

The product data registration device of the embodiment includes a vertical housing, an image pickup unit, a first display unit, a second display unit, and a control unit . The image pickup unit is built in the housing and images the product to obtain image data. The first display unit is attached to the upper part of the housing, and is configured to be tiltable with the screen facing the side to be imaged by the image pickup unit. The second display unit is attached to the upper part of the housing, faces the screen opposite to that of the first display unit, and is displaced along the tilt rotation axis of the first display unit. It is located and is configured to be tiltable by having a rotation axis of the tilt of the first display unit and a rotation axis of its own tilt which is separate from the rotation axis of the tilt of the first display unit on the same straight line as the rotation axis of the tilt of the first display unit. ing. The control unit is built in the housing of the first display unit, identifies the product based on the image data obtained by the image pickup unit, and controls the information to be displayed on the first display unit and the second display unit. do.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the product data registration device of the embodiment, and is a view (front view) seen from the operator side. FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the product data registration device, and is a view (rear view) seen from the customer side. FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the appearance of the product data registration device. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the appearance of the product data registration device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a product data registration device and an accounting device. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional unit included in the control unit. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the product data registration device and its surroundings, and shows a stable gaze and operation area of the operator. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between each part of the product data registration device and the operator. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between each part of the product data registration device and the customer. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the hinge portion of the customer display portion. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of a product data registration device including a printer. FIG. 12 is a left side view showing the appearance of the printer included in the product data registration device. FIG. 13 is a left side view of the product data registration device showing the state of the printer when the paper is replaced. FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the appearance of a product data registration device including a payment device. FIG. 15 is a left side view showing the appearance of a product data registration device including a payment device.

(First Embodiment)
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1 of the embodiment, and is a view (front view) seen from the operator side. FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1 and is a view (rear view) seen from the customer side. The customer faces the operator with the product data registration device 1 in between. The operator of the product data registration device 1 is also called a checker. FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1.

The product data registration device 1 includes a main body unit 10, a display unit 20, a keyboard 30, a customer display unit 40, an image pickup unit 50, and a control unit 60.

The main body 10 is provided with a thick columnar (vertical) housing, and is fixed upright on the check counter 2. The check counter 2 is a table on which a shopping basket 3 containing products to be settled is placed. The shopping basket 3 is placed in front of the main body 10. The height of the check counter 2 is, for example, 667 mm.

The display unit 20 is an example of the first display unit, and is attached to the upper part of the main body unit 10 so that the screen 21 faces the front side. Further, the display unit 20 can be tilted with respect to the main body unit 10 within a first angle range. The rotation shaft 23 (see FIG. 3), which is the axis of rotation in the tilt direction, is laterally oriented and is located above the main body portion 10.

Such a display unit 20 is a display unit for an operator, and displays information directed to the operator as an image on the screen 21. Further, the display unit 20 includes a touch panel 22 provided so as to be superimposed on the screen 21. The touch panel 22 accepts operations according to the display contents of the screen 21.

The keyboard 30 includes a plurality of hardware keys 31 such as a number key, and accepts an operation by an operator. The keyboard 30 also includes a card reader 32. The card reader 32 reads the information recorded on the magnetic tape included in the magnetic card 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Examples of the magnetic card 4 include a point card and a credit card.

The customer display unit 40 is an example of a second display unit, and a screen 41 (see FIG. 2) for displaying information for customers is provided toward the back side. The customer display unit 40 is supported by the main body unit 10 so as to be located next to the display unit 20. Further, the customer display unit 40 can be tilted with respect to the main body unit 10 within a second angle range. The customer display unit 40 may be provided with a touch panel that is superimposed on the screen 41 and accepts operations according to the display contents of the screen 41.

Here, regarding the relationship between the second angle range and the first angle range, the second angle range is set in a space that does not conflict with the space in which the tilting display unit 20 can exist. .. In other words, the second angle range is an angle range in which the tilting display unit 20 does not collide with the tilting customer display unit 40 no matter where it is located within the first angle range.

Further, the customer display unit 40 of the present embodiment is located at a position deviated from the display unit 20 along the lateral rotation shaft 23, which is the axis of rotation of the display unit 20 in the tilt direction. Further, the customer display unit 40 of the present embodiment has a structure that is rotatable around the rotation shaft 23, so that the display unit 40 can be tilted.

The image pickup unit 50 is built in the main body unit 10. The image pickup unit 50 captures the appearance of the product held over the reading window 51 through the reading window 51 provided in front of the main body portion 10 and obtains image data. The image pickup unit 50 outputs image data to the control unit 60.

Conventionally, the display unit and the keyboard are integrated, and the center of the combined display unit and the keyboard and the center of the main body unit are located on the same vertical line. However, in the present embodiment, the display unit 20 alone is used. The center and the center of the main body portion 10 and the imaging unit 50 are provided on the same vertical line (center line) C. That is, the vertical center line of the main body 10 and the image pickup unit 50 and the vertical center line of the display unit 20 coincide with each other. As a result, the product data registration device 1 is easy to handle regardless of whether the flow of customers is leftward (leftward flow) or rightward (rightward flow).

In the product data registration device 1, the horizontal dimension b (see FIG. 3) from the central portion of the screen 21 of the display unit 20 to the front edge of the check counter 2 is sufficient space for placing the shopping basket 3. It is designed to be. The dimension b is, for example, b = 298.6 mm.

Further, the image pickup unit 50 is arranged so as to be located above the upper edge portion of the shopping basket 3. The height of the central portion of the image pickup unit 50 from the floor is, for example, 1053 mm. With such an arrangement, the readable area A1 by the image pickup unit 50 is located in the space above the shopping basket 3. Therefore, since the product taken out from the shopping basket 3 passes through the readable area A1, the image pickup by the image pickup unit 50 can proceed smoothly.

The center line of the customer display unit 40 is laterally deviated from the center line C of the display unit 20 and the image pickup unit 50 by the dimension a (see FIG. 2). The dimension a is, for example, 280 mm. Since the customer display unit 40 is arranged on the downstream side in the moving direction of the customer with respect to the display unit 20, the customer is guided to the downstream side in the moving direction (that is, the accounting device side of the next stage).

Further, the customer display unit 40 protrudes from the edge portion on the back surface side of the check counter 2 by the dimension c (see FIG. 4). This dimension c is, for example, about 35 mm, and is configured to prevent the customer display unit 40 from hitting (interfering with) the back surface of the display unit 20 while not obstructing the passage of customers. There is.

The control unit 60 is built in the housing of the display unit 20. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the product data registration device 1 and the accounting device 5. The product data registration device 1 further includes an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 70, a bus line 81, an I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 82, a communication I / F (Interface) 83, and a network 84.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, the ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, and the RAM (Random Access Memory) 63 constitute a control unit 60 of a computer configuration. The ROM 62 stores various programs and various data executed by the CPU 61. The RAM 63 is used as a work area of the CPU 61, temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU 61 executes various programs, and displays sales data indicating product sales records and various screen displays displayed on the display unit 20. Store data. The CPU 61 comprehensively controls each unit by executing a program.

The HDD 70 stores a program 71 and a PLU file 72 that can be executed by the CPU 61 of the control unit 60. The PLU file 72 is an example of storing product data, and is a file that stores a product code uniquely assigned to each product in association with information about the product such as the name, price, and product classification of the product. Is. Further, when the product is specified by general object recognition, the PLU file 72 also stores the feature quantities such as the color tone read from the product image and the unevenness of the surface.

The bus line 81 connects the CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, the I / O device control unit 82, and the communication I / F 83. The communication I / F 83 connects the control unit 60 and the external device via the network 84. As a result, the control unit 60 can communicate with the external device. The network 84 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The external device is a store server (not shown) or an accounting device 5.

The store server generally manages the product sales registration process performed by one or a plurality of product data registration devices 1 installed in the store and the accounting process performed by the accounting device 5. The accounting device 5 is a device for the customer himself / herself to settle the goods registered in the product data registration device 1. The accounting device 5 has a built-in deposit / withdrawal device, and can be settled using cash such as banknotes and coins.

The control unit 60 controls I / O devices such as the touch panel 22, the display unit 20, the keyboard 30, the customer display unit 40, the image pickup unit 50, and the HDD 70 via the bus line 81 and the I / O device control unit 82. , Controls the entire system of the product data registration device 1.

The control unit 60 has various functional units realized by the CPU 61 executing a program. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional unit included in the control unit 60. The control unit 60 has an identification unit 601 and a registration unit 602.

The identification unit 601 decodes a value (feature amount) according to the appearance characteristics of the product or a code image (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) attached to the product based on the image data obtained by the image pickup unit 50. The created value is collated (matched, inquired) with the product data stored in the PLU file 72 to identify the product imaged by the image pickup unit 50. The registration unit 602 records information (for example, a product code) that uniquely indicates the product identified by the identification unit 601.

In the product data registration device 1 as described above, the product included in the image captured by the image pickup unit 50 is specified by decoding the code image attached to the product and recognizing a general object with reference to the PLU file 72.

Regarding generic object recognition for recognizing an object contained in an image, a recognition technique is described in the following documents.
Keiji Yanai, "Current Status and Future of General Object Recognition", IPSJ Journal, Vol. 48, No. SIG16 [Searched on January 6, 2014], Internet <URL: http://mm.cs.uec.ac.jp/IPSJ-TCVIM-Yanai.pdf>

Next, the product data registration device 1 displays on the display unit 20 a screen for confirming the specified product and accepting input such as the number of products. Then, the product data registration device 1 registers the product classification, product name, unit price, etc. of the product corresponding to the product code based on the information such as the product code of the product for which confirmation input has been accepted and the number of input products. The relevant information is stored as sales data in a sales master file (not shown) or the like, and sales are registered.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the product data registration device 1 and its surroundings, and shows the stable gaze field A2 and the operation area A3 of the operator Op. The operation area A3 is a range within the reach of the operator Op without difficulty. "Reasonably" is, for example, a position within reach of the operator Op in an upright position.

In the present embodiment, the reference operator Op is assumed to be a person whose physique corresponds to a female 5% tile, and the touch panel 22 and the keyboard 30 are arranged in the stable gaze A2 and the operation area A3 of the operator Op. There is. This constitutes a product data registration device 1 that is easy to operate for most operator Ops.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between each part of the product data registration device 1 and the operator Op. The height d is the height of the operator Op from the floor of the eyes, for example, d = 1420 mm. The height e is the height from the floor at the upper end of the display unit 20, for example, e = 1395.5 mm. Further, the height f is the height from the floor of the display center of the display unit 20, for example, f = 1262.7 mm.

As shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 20 is arranged below the line of sight of the operator Op (5% tile female). As a result, there is no problem in the visibility of the display unit 20 by the operator Op.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dimensional relationship between each part of the product data registration device 1 and the customers F and M. Customer F is a 5% tile female. Customer M is an example of a male customer, and a person taller than customer F is assumed. Reference numeral A4 is a stable gaze field of customer F, and reference numeral A5 is a stable gaze field of customer M. The height g is the height from the floor of the display center of the customer display unit 40. The height g is equal to or less than the line of sight of the customer F, and is, for example, 1205.1 mm.

As shown in FIG. 9, the customer display unit 40 is arranged below the line of sight of the customer F (5% tile female). As a result, there is no problem in the visibility of the customer display unit 40 by the customers F and M.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the hinge portion 43 of the customer display portion 40. The hinge portion 43 connects the back side of the customer display portion 40 and the main body portion 10, and supports the customer display portion 40 with respect to the main body portion 10 by tilting and swiveling within a predetermined angle range. do.

The individual parts 401 to 408 constituting the hinge portion 43 will be described. The component 401 is attached to the back surface of the customer display unit 40. The component 401 includes two parts 4011 and one part 4012. The portion 4011 is along the vicinity of both side portions of the back surface of the customer display portion 40. The portion 4012 is located between the two portions 4011 and connects the two portions 4011.

The component 402 is a hinge that realizes tilt and is composed of two parts 4021,4022. Each portion 4021,4022 has a U-shape (C-shape), and the ends thereof are rotatably connected to each other. The portion where each of these portions is rotatably connected is the rotation shaft 4023 of the customer display unit 40. The rotation shaft 4023 exists in the same linear shape as the rotation shaft 23 (see FIG. 3). One portion 4021 has a central portion attached to the portion 4012. A component 403 is attached to the other portion 4022.

The part 403 and the part 405 are parts that realize a swivel. The component 405 is circular and has a central portion 4051 protruding from it. The central portion 4051 is attached to the central portion of the component 403.

Parts 404, 406, and 407 are interposed between the outer peripheral portion 4052 of the part 405 and the part 403. The outer peripheral portion 4052 and the component 403 are slidable with respect to the component 404.

The component 404 has a long end 4041. One end portion 4041 is fixed to the upper end of the main body portion 10. As a result, the component 404 is fixed to the main body 10. As a result, the customer display unit 40 becomes rotatable with respect to the main body unit 10.

Parts 406-408 are covers. The component 406 covers the component 404 from above. The component 407 covers the periphery of the component 403. The component 407 only rests on the top surface of the component 406. As a result, the component 407 rotates with respect to the component 406 as the customer display unit 40 rotates.

The component 408 covers the component 401 and the component 402.

Although detailed description is omitted, the display unit 20 may also be tilted and swiveled by a configuration similar to the configuration shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to realize the product data registration device 1 having good operability and visibility for the operator Op and further having good visibility for the customers F and M.

The specific numerical values of each dimension shown in the present embodiment are an example and may be changed to some extent, and the implementation is not limited to this, but the reference operator Op, for example, height and elbow, respectively. Depending on the height and the like, the operator Op is set to a value that does not cause any ergonomic problems.

(Second embodiment)
This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1 including the printer 90. FIG. 12 is a left side view showing the appearance of the printer 90 included in the product data registration device 1. FIG. 13 is a left side view of the product data registration device 1 showing a state of the printer 90 when the paper is replaced.

The printer 90 has a printing unit and a paper storage unit (both not shown) built in the main body unit 10, and an issuing port 91 and a lid 92 provided on the front surface of the main body unit 10. The printer 90 issues what was printed by the printing unit from the issuing port 91 under the control of the control unit 60. The lid 92 opens and closes the paper storage portion, and is opened to the front side by the operator Op when the paper is replaced.

Since the printer 90 is arranged below the image pickup unit 50, it is located below the upper edge of the shopping basket 3, but when the printed matter is issued, the shopping basket 3 is not in front of the main body 10 and is located above the main body 10. However, since the printer is moving to the downstream side in the moving direction of the customer, there is no inconvenience such as the printed issue being used in the shopping basket 3.

As described above, according to the product data registration device 1 of the second embodiment, a printed matter such as a receipt or a copy recording the designation of the accounting device 5 for settlement can be issued and handed to the customer. can.

(Third embodiment)
This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1 including the payment device 6. FIG. 15 is a left side view showing the appearance of the product data registration device 1 including the payment device 6. The payment device 6 is an example of a payment unit.

The payment device 6 is an embedded device that makes a payment related to one transaction by transmitting / receiving electronic information using a payment card. Here, the payment card is a card used for payment without cash, such as a credit card, a debit card, and a non-contact IC card. The payment card is an IC card, and the payment device 6 includes a reader / writer that reads and writes information to and from the IC chip included in the IC card.

The payment device 6 is arranged at a position below the display unit 20 and behind the customer display unit 40. Further, the payment device 6 is arranged higher than the height of the shopping basket 3 in which the registered products are placed, and does not interfere with the shopping basket 3.

According to the product data registration device 1 having such a configuration, when a customer offers card payment, the product data registration device 1 can perform card payment.

As described above, according to the first to third embodiments, the product data registration device 1 is easy to operate, visible, and easy to use by configuring the dimensions assuming the physiques of the operator Op and the customers F and M. Can be provided.

Further, according to the first to third embodiments, the product data registration device 1 can be configured as an integrated type, so that the assembly work at the installation site is not required and the installation is easy. Further, the integrated product data registration device 1 is easy to move. Further, since the integrated product data registration device 1 requires a small installation area, it can contribute to the reduction of the checkout lane space.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Product data registration device 10 ... Main unit 20 ... Display unit, 21 ... Screen, 22 ... Touch panel 30 ... Keyboard, 31 ... Hardware key, 32 ... Card reader 40 ... Customer display unit, 41 ... Screen, 42 ... Touch panel , 43 ... Hinge unit 50 ... Imaging unit, 51 ... Reading window 60 ... Control unit, 601 ... Identification unit, 602 ... Registration unit 61 ... CPU, 62 ... ROM, 63 ... RAM
70 ... HDD, 71 ... Program, 72 ... PLU file 81 ... Bus line, 82 ... I / O device control unit 83 ... Communication I / F, 84 ... Network 90 ... Printer, 91 ... Issuer 2 ... Check counter 3 ... Shopping Basket 4 ... Magnetic card 5 ... Accounting device 6 ... Payment device A1 ... Readable area A2 ... Stable gaze A3 ... Operation area

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-268036 JP-A-2017-0545447 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-275878

Claims (2)

With a vertical housing
An image pickup unit built in the housing to obtain image data by imaging a product,
A first display unit that is attached to the upper part of the housing and is configured to be tiltable with the screen facing the side to be imaged by the image pickup unit.
Attached to the upper part of the housing, the screen is turned to the side opposite to that of the first display unit, and the first display unit is located at a position shifted along the tilt rotation axis of the first display unit. A second display unit configured to be tiltable by having a tilt rotation axis of the first display unit and its own tilt rotation axis on the same straight line as the tilt rotation axis of the unit.
A control unit built in the housing of the first display unit, which identifies a product based on the image data obtained by the image pickup unit and controls information to be displayed on the first display unit and the second display unit. ,
A product data registration device equipped with. The product data registration device according to claim 1, wherein the first display unit and the second display unit can be swiveled.

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