JP7476274B2 - Processing Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The embodiment of the present invention relates to a processing device (payment processing device) .

In recent years, the retail industry has developed checkout systems that use wireless tags such as RFID (radio frequency identification) tags. This type of system attaches an RFID tag to each product and collects information about purchased products by reading the data stored in the RFID tag (hereafter referred to as tag data) with a tag reader using wireless communication or other methods.

If there are multiple RFID tags within the communication range of a tag reader, these multiple RFID tags may transmit tag data simultaneously, causing interference that may prevent the tag reader from reading the tag data.

JP 2005-234867 A JP 2006-48599 A

The objective of this embodiment is to provide a payment processing device that can detect all products even when multiple wireless tags are present within the communication range of the tag reader.

The processing device of the embodiment includes a workbench having a first placement section for placing a first product storage body, a second placement section for placing a second product storage body, and a partition wall disposed between the first placement section and the second placement section; a first wireless tag reading section provided on the first placement section for reading information from a wireless tag that stores identification information of a product in the first product storage body;
a second wireless tag reader provided on the second placement section and configured to read information of the wireless tag of the commodity in the second commodity storage unit ;
The first placement portion and the second placement portion are arranged side by side in an arrangement direction with the partition wall interposed therebetween,
the first mounting section and the first wireless tag reading section are provided on one side of the partition wall in the arrangement direction , the second mounting section and the second wireless tag reading section are provided on the other side of the partition wall in the arrangement direction, and the partition wall separates a wireless tag reading area between the first wireless tag reading section and the second wireless tag reading section,
The first wireless tag reader and the second wireless tag reader are disposed on a wall surface on the rear side of the workbench.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic overall configuration of a self-checkout apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the self-checkout device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control process performed by the CPU of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control process by the CPU of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control process performed by the CPU of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control process by the CPU of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a main data table formed in the RAM of the self-checkout device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a card inquiry screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-checkout device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-checkout device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase confirmation inquiry screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-checkout device. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-checkout device. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-checkout device. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a self-checkout apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the entire self-checkout apparatus of the third embodiment.

An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 12 show a first embodiment. In this embodiment, a self-checkout device will be described as an example of a payment processing device. The self-checkout device of this embodiment is also called a self-checkout type product sales data processing device (POS terminal) or a self-checkout device. In this embodiment, it is assumed that payment is made for products to which RFID tags, each of which stores different tag data, are attached. The tag data includes a unique tag code and a flag that can be in two states, on or off. The RFID tag has a function of receiving a wireless signal requesting the transmission of tag data and wirelessly transmitting the stored tag data. The RFID tag also has a function of receiving a wireless signal requesting the flag to be on and turning on a flag included in the stored tag data. In this embodiment, the flag included in the tag data is used as a payment flag to identify whether or not payment has been completed. The flag is in the off state when the product to which the RFID tag is attached is displayed in a store or the like.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of multiple self-checkout terminals 100 according to this embodiment, three in this case, arranged side by side. Note that the self-checkout terminal 100 can be used by arranging only one terminal, or four or more terminals can be arranged side by side. The three self-checkout terminals 100 have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of one self-checkout terminal 100 will be described here, and the same parts of the other self-checkout terminals 100 will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

The self-checkout device 100 includes a housing 1, a touch panel (display unit) 2, a card reading unit 4, and a receipt issuing port 5. The housing 1 is formed into a box shape by combining parts made of metal and resin materials. A work table 6 is disposed on the front side of the top surface of the housing 1. A monitor table 7 is erected on the wall on the rear side of this work table 6. The touch panel 2 is installed on top of this monitor table 7.

The workbench 6 has two placement sections (first placement section 6a and second placement section 6b) arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. A partition wall 8 is arranged between the first placement section 6a and the second placement section 6b. A right side wall section 9a is arranged on the right side of the first placement section 6a in FIG. 1. Similarly, a left side wall section 9b is arranged on the left side of the second placement section 6b in FIG. 1. The first placement section 6a has a first work space 11a with an open top and front between the horizontal surface 10a, the partition wall 8, the right side wall section 9a, and the wall surface of the monitor stand 7. The second placement section 6b has a second work space 11b with an open top and front between the horizontal surface 10b, the partition wall 8, the left side wall section 9b, and the wall surface of the monitor stand 7.

The first placement section 6a, in the first working space 11a, is used to place, for example, a product basket (first product storage) 12 that contains products before registration. The second placement section 6b, in the second working space 11b, is used to place, for example, a shopping bag (second product storage) 13 that contains purchased products (read products).

In addition, a pair of left and right guide rods 14 protrude forward from the upper part of the wall surface of the monitor stand 7 on the second mounting portion 6b. These guide rods 14 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. A number of shopping bags 13 are placed between the two guide rods 14. The multiple shopping bags 13 are stacked on the back side of the second mounting portion 6b in a folded state. When in use, the shopping bag 13 at the frontmost position is pulled forward to open it.

A first RFID antenna (first wireless tag reader) 15 is attached to the horizontal surface 10a of the first placement section 6a and to the wall surface of the monitor stand 7. This first RFID antenna 15 reads information from the wireless tag that stores the identification information of the products in the product basket 12.

The second placement section 6b has a second RFID antenna (second wireless tag reader) 16 attached to the wall surface of the monitor stand 7. This second RFID antenna 16 reads the information on the wireless tags of the products placed in the shopping bag 13. The partition wall 8 may be provided with a shielding plate, such as a metal plate, to separate the wireless tag reading areas of the first RFID antenna 15 and the second RFID antenna 16.

The touch panel 2 is fixed to the top of the housing 1. The touch panel 2 displays any image. The touch panel 2 receives operational input from an operator. Furthermore, the touch panel 2 is provided with a card reading unit 4. This card reading unit 4 is intended for handling contactless credit cards and the like. The receipt issuing port 5 is made of a metal or resin material, and is attached, for example, to the underside of the work table 6 on the front side of the housing 1. The receipt issuing port 5 is an opening for discharging receipts to the outside of the housing 1.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the self-checkout device 100. In Figure 2, the same parts as in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted.

The self-checkout device 100 further includes a CPU (central processing unit) 20, a ROM (read-only memory) 21, a RAM (random-access memory) 22, an auxiliary memory unit 23, a clock unit 24, a touch panel controller 25, a card reader 26, a card reader controller 27, a printer 28, a printer controller 29, an automatic change machine 30, a change machine interface 31, a first tag reader 32a, a second tag reader 32b, a communication device 33, and an input port 34. Of these, the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, the auxiliary memory unit 23, the clock unit 24, the touch panel controller 25, the card reader controller 27, the printer controller 29, the change machine interface 31, the communication device 33, and the input port 34 are each connected to a bus line 35. The CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, auxiliary memory unit 23, clock unit 24, touch panel controller 25, card reader 26, card reader controller 27, printer 28, printer controller 29, change machine interface 31, communication device 33, and input port 34 are typically provided inside the housing 1. The automatic change machine 30 is usually provided outside the housing 1. The automatic change machine 30 is an external unit that is attached to the housing 1 via the change machine interface 31 of the housing 1 as necessary. The input port 34 is connected to, for example, a human sensor 36 attached to the housing 1 and a weight sensor 37 that detects the weight of the product basket 12 placed on the first placement section 6a (the sum of the weight of the product basket 12 itself and the weight of the products in the product basket 12).

The CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22 and auxiliary memory unit 23 are connected by a bus line 35 to form a computer.

The CPU 20 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 20 controls each part to realize various operations of the self-checkout device 100 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 21 and the auxiliary storage unit 23.

ROM 21 corresponds to the main memory of the computer. ROM 21 stores the operating system. ROM 21 may also store the middleware and application programs. ROM 21 may also store data referenced by CPU 20 when performing various processes.

RAM 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. RAM 22 stores data that CPU 20 refers to when performing various processes. RAM 22 is also used as a so-called work area for storing data that CPU 20 uses temporarily when performing various processes. Part of the storage area of RAM 22 is used as a tag list area 22a and a write list area 22b. Tag list area 22a stores a read list, which is a list of tag data read from RFID tags by first RFID antenna 15 to determine the products in shopping basket 12 that are the subject of payment.

Figure 11 shows a registration screen SC1 as an example of a read list displayed on the screen of the touch panel 2. The registration screen SC1 includes an area AR1 for displaying a list of products, and a button B1.

Registration screen SC1 displays the product name, quantity, unit price, amount, consumption tax category, and product check box 41 for the product to which an RFID tag that has transmitted read tag data is attached in area AR1. Button B1 is a GUI (graphical user interface) that is touched by the customer to start a moving operation, for example, to start the operation of moving products one by one from the product basket 12 to the shopping bag 13, or to request the start of payment.

In area AR1 in FIG. 11, information about 12 products is displayed, and each time the corresponding tag data is read, the information is updated and added in sequence. Specifically, the registration screen does not display any information about products before the first tag data is read. Based on the first received tag data, the CPU 20 updates the registration screen to display information about the product name "Product A". Based on the second received tag data, the CPU 20 updates the registration screen to display information about the product name "Product B". By repeating the same update, the CPU 20 updates the registration screen to the registration screen SC1 shown in FIG. 11 based on the received tag data about the twelfth product. In this way, the registration screen is updated in sequence to display the progress of tag data reading. At this time, a check box 41 is created at the same time. In this check box 41, a blank cell 41a is formed in the position corresponding to the product name.

Initially, this check column 41 is held with, for example, cell 41a blank (before the operation of moving products one by one from the shopping basket 12 to the shopping bag 13 begins). Then, after the operation of moving products one by one from the shopping basket 12 to the shopping bag 13 begins, a check such as a tick is displayed in the check column 41 based on the tag data read from the RFID tag by the second RFID antenna 16. Note that a configuration may be made in which the display format of products displayed on the registration screen is changed without the check column 41. For example, the display format of checked products may be changed by changing the text of the checked products from black to red, or by displaying them in inverted text, etc.

The writing list area 22b stores a writing list, which is a list of tag data read from an RFID tag for the process of displaying a check such as a tick in the product check column 41 of the registration screen SC1 based on the tag data read from the RFID tag by the second RFID antenna 16, for example. Also, although not shown in the figure, a part of the storage area of the RAM 22 is used as a product list area.

The auxiliary memory unit 23 corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary memory unit 23 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores data used by the CPU 20 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the CPU 20. The auxiliary memory unit 23 may also store the middleware and application programs described above.

The clock unit 24 constantly keeps track of time and generates date and time information that indicates the date and time.

The touch panel controller 25 controls the operation for displaying images on the touch panel 2 under the control of the CPU 20. The touch panel controller 25 also provides the information output by the touch panel 2 in response to a user operation on the touch panel 2 to the CPU 20, for example, via the RAM 22.

The card reader 26 reads the card information recorded on the card using the non-contact card reading unit 4. The card may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards, or point cards. The card reader 26 may also have a function to write information on the card.

The card reader controller 27 controls the operation of the card reader 26 under the control of the CPU 20, and provides the card information output from the card reader 26 to the CPU 20 via the RAM 22.

The printer 28 is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer, and prints receipts. The printer 28 ejects the receipt from the receipt issuing port 5.

The printer controller 29 controls the operation of the printer 28 under the control of the CPU 20.

As shown in FIG. 13, the automatic change machine 30 has a coin insertion port 42, a coin discharge port 43, a bill insertion port 44, a bill discharge port 45, and a receipt issuing port 48. The coin insertion port 42 is an opening for inserting coins into the housing 30a of the automatic change machine 30. The coin discharge port 43 is an opening for discharging coins to the outside of the housing 30a. The bill insertion port 44 is an opening for inserting bills into the housing 30a. The bill discharge port 45 is an opening for discharging bills to the outside of the housing 30a. The automatic change machine 30 receives coins and bills inserted from the coin insertion port 42 and the bill insertion port 44, and discharges coins and bills as change from the coin discharge port 43 and the bill discharge port 45 as necessary.

The change machine interface 31 controls the operation of the automatic change machine 30 under the control of the CPU 20.

The first tag reader 32a may be of a known configuration including a first RFID antenna 15, a transmitting circuit, and a receiving circuit. The first tag reader 32a has a tag reading space (the first working space 11a of the first mounting portion 6a) as its reading range, and reads tag data from an RFID tag present within this tag reading space.

The second tag reader 32b may be of a known configuration including a second RFID antenna 16, a transmitting circuit, and a receiving circuit. The second tag reader 32b has a tag reading space (the second working space 11b of the second mounting portion 6b) as its reading range, and reads tag data from an RFID tag present within this tag reading space.

The communication device 33 communicates with other devices such as a product server 201 and a member server 202 via a communication network 200 such as a LAN (local area network) or the Internet.

One of the application programs stored in the ROM 21 or the auxiliary storage unit 23 is a control program for causing the CPU 20 to execute the control process described below. The control program is typically stored in the ROM 21 or the auxiliary storage unit 23 when the self-checkout device 100 is transferred. However, the self-checkout device 100 may be transferred without the control program being stored in the ROM 21 or the auxiliary storage unit 23, and the control program may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or via a network, and this control program may be written to the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the self-checkout device 100 that has been transferred separately.

Next, we will explain the operation of the self-checkout device 100 configured as described above.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the control process by the CPU 20.

The CPU 20 executes the control processes shown in Figures 3 to 6 according to a control program stored in the ROM 21 or the auxiliary storage unit 23. Note that the process contents described below are merely examples, and various processes capable of achieving similar results can be used as appropriate.

When the administrator turns on a power switch (not shown) and the CPU 20 is started, the CPU 20 starts the control process shown in Figures 3 to 6.

When the human presence sensor 36 is detected to be ON in Act 1, it is detected that a customer is in front of the housing 1 of the self-checkout device 100. Next, in Act 2, a process is performed in which the screen of the touch panel 2 is set as the start screen. The start screen of the touch panel 2 is prepared in advance as an arbitrary screen, such as a screen showing instructions to a customer who is going to use the self-checkout device 100 to carry out the checkout procedure.

In Act 3, the CPU 20 initializes the memory. This initialization includes clearing the tag list area 22a, the posting list area 22b, and the product list area. Figure 7 shows an example of the main data tables formed in the RAM 22.

In Act 4, the CPU 20 reads the weight W of the shopping basket 12 placed on the first placement section 6a (the sum of the weight G of the shopping basket 12 itself and the weight of the products in the shopping basket 12) based on the detection data from the weight sensor 37.

In Act 5, the CPU 20 checks whether the weight W of the shopping basket 12 is greater than the weight G of the shopping basket 12 itself. If W>G is not satisfied, the CPU 20 determines NO and returns to Act 4.

Thus, in Act 5, the CPU 20 waits to confirm that W>G. If it is confirmed that W>G, the CPU 20 judges as YES and proceeds to Act 6.

In Act 6, the CPU 20 turns on the first tag reader 32a. When the first tag reader 32a is started, it uses the first RFID antenna 15 to read information from the wireless tags that store identification information of the products in the product basket 12 in the first working space 11a of the first placement unit 6a. At this time, it reads tag data from the RFID tags present in the product basket 12 all at once. It then notifies the CPU 20 of the read tag data.

Then, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 7. In Act 7, the CPU 20 turns on the second tag reader 32b. Then, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 8. In Act 8, the CPU 20 displays a registration screen with a check box 41 shown in FIG. 11 on the screen of the touch panel 2.

In Act 11, the CPU 20 determines whether tag data has been received. If it is determined that tag data has been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 12. Next, in Act 12, the CPU 20 determines whether tag data has been received from the first tag reader 32a. If it is determined in Act 12 that tag data has been received from the first tag reader 32a, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 13. If it is determined in Act 12 that tag data has not been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 31 shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, in Act 13, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a member tag has been received. If the CPU 20 determines that a member tag has not been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 17. If the CPU 20 determines that a member tag has been received in Act 13, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 14.

In Act 14, the CPU 20 determines whether MF=1. If it determines that MF=1, it returns to Act 11. If it does not determine that MF=1 in Act 14, it proceeds to Act 15. In Act 15, the CPU 20 writes the member data into the data table in FIG. 7 and proceeds to Act 16. In Act 16, the CPU 20 sets MF←1 and returns to Act 11. This identifies the member data.

In Act 17, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a product tag has been received. If it is determined that a product tag has been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 18. If it is determined in Act 17 that a product tag has not been received, the CPU 20 returns to Act 11.

In Act 18, the CPU 20 searches the tag list. Then, in the next Act 19, it is determined whether the same data is received. If it is determined in Act 19 that the same data has been received, the CPU 20 returns to Act 11. If it is determined in Act 19 that the same data has not been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 20.

In Act 20, the CPU 20 writes the product data. Then, in Act 21, the CPU 20 sets CF to 0, and proceeds to Act 22. In Act 22, the CPU 20 sets M to M+1, and proceeds to Act 23, where M is the number of items to be read at once. In Act 23, the CPU 20 updates the registration screen. As a result, the registration screen SC1 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

Next, in Act 31 of FIG. 5, the CPU 20 determines whether or not there is a product tag. If it is determined in Act 31 that there is a product tag, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 32. If it is determined in Act 31 that there is no product tag, the CPU 20 returns to Act 11.

In Act 32, the CPU 20 turns off the first tag reader 32a. At this point, the operation of reading all the tag data in the shopping basket 12 by the first RFID antenna 15 is completed. At this time, an instruction screen is displayed on the screen of the touch panel 2 instructing the customer to start the bagging operation. As a result, the customer opens the shopping bag 13 on the second placement section 6b and starts the bagging operation of inserting the products in the shopping basket 12 on the first placement section 6a one by one into the shopping bag 13 on the second placement section 6b. During this bagging operation, the customer moves the products one by one from the shopping basket 12 to the shopping bag 13. At this time, each time an item is moved, a check such as a tick is displayed in the blank cell 41a of the check column 41 on the registration screen based on the tag data read from the RFID tag by the second RFID antenna 16.

Next, in Act 33, the CPU 20 searches the tag list. Then, in the next Act 34, it determines whether the same data is received. If it is determined in Act 34 that the same data has been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 36. If it is determined in Act 34 that the same data has not been received, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 35.

In Act 35, the CPU 20 writes the product data. Then, in Act 36, the CPU 20 sets CF to 1, and proceeds to Act 37. In Act 37, the CPU 20 sets N to N+1, and proceeds to Act 38, where N is the number of items to be packed. In Act 38, the CPU 20 updates the registration screen.

Next, in Act 39, the CPU 20 reads the weight W of the shopping basket 12. Then, in the next Act 40, the CPU 20 checks whether W is equal to or less than G. If W≦G is not satisfied, the CPU 20 judges NO and proceeds to Act 41. Here, if it is confirmed that W≦G is satisfied, the CPU 20 judges YES and proceeds to Act 42.

In Act 41, the CPU 20 determines whether tag data has been received. If it determines that tag data has been received, the CPU 20 returns to Act 33 and repeats the processes from Act 33 to Act 41.

In Act 42, the CPU 20 turns off the second tag reader 32b. Then, in the next Act 51, the CPU 20 checks whether M>N. If M>N is not true, the CPU 20 judges NO and proceeds to Act 59. Here, if it is confirmed that M>N is true, the CPU 20 judges YES and proceeds to Act 52.

In Act 52, the CPU 20 displays a list of products with CF=0. Next, in Act 53, the CPU 20 determines whether to add a product. In this Act 53, a purchase confirmation inquiry screen is displayed on the touch panel 2. FIG. 10 shows an example of the purchase confirmation inquiry screen. Here, the product names that could not be checked in the wireless tag reading area by the first RFID antenna 15 and the wireless tag reading area by the second RFID antenna 16, an "Add" button 46, and a "Delete" button 47 are displayed.

In Act 53, the CPU 20 determines whether an addition has been made. If it is determined that an addition has been made, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 54. In Act 54, the CPU 20 sets CF←1, and proceeds to Act 55. In Act 55, the CPU 20 sets N←N+1, and proceeds to Act 58.

If the CPU 20 determines in Act 53 that no addition has been made, it proceeds to Act 56. In Act 56, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a deletion has been made. If the CPU 20 determines that a deletion has been made, it proceeds to Act 57. In Act 57, the CPU 20 deletes the product data, and proceeds to Act 58.

In Act 58, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the decision has been made. If the CPU 20 determines in Act 58 that the decision has not been made, the CPU 20 returns to Act 52. If the CPU 20 determines in Act 58 that the decision has been made, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 59.

In Act 59, the CPU 20 determines whether MF=1. If it determines that MF=1, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 60. In Act 60, the CPU 20 performs member payment processing and ends the process. If it does not determine that MF=1 in Act 59, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 61. In Act 61, the CPU 20 performs non-member payment processing and ends the process.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a card inquiry screen displayed on the touch panel 2 of the self-checkout device 100. As shown in Figure 8, the card inquiry screen SC1 includes display areas R1 and R2 and buttons B1 and B2. Display area R1 displays a message inquiring whether or not a membership card is present. Display area R2 displays an image of a usable membership card. Button B1 is used to specify that the transaction is with a shopper who possesses the membership card displayed in display area R2. Button B1 is used to specify that the transaction is with a shopper who does not possess the membership card displayed in display area R2.

In this embodiment, the membership service that allows products to be purchased at the member unit price is only available to members who possess a membership card. Therefore, even if a member forgets his/her membership card, he/she cannot receive the membership service and is forced to purchase products at the regular unit price.

Then, the card inquiry screen SC1 inquires of the shopper who has requested to register the purchased item whether or not they have a membership card. If the shopper presents a membership code, they touch button B1 and have the data on their membership card read by the card reader 26. On the other hand, if the shopper does not present a membership code, they touch button B2.

After displaying the card inquiry screen SC1, the CPU 20 waits for either button B1 or B2 to be touched (Act 13). If it detects that button B1 has been touched, the CPU 20 determines that the transaction is a commercial transaction by a member (YES in Act 13). In this case, the CPU 20 sets the member flag in the member table to "1" (Act 14). The CPU 20 also registers the member number and accumulated points in the member table. The member number is information read from the member card by the card reader 26. The accumulated points are information associated with the member number and stored in the member database.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen displayed on the touch panel 2 of the self-checkout device 100. The payment screen SC5 includes display areas R21, R22, R23 and button B21.

Display area R21 displays payment method selection buttons B41, B42, and B43. Display area R22 displays the total quantity and total amount in total table 33b. Display area R23 displays the accumulated points in member table 31b. Button B21 allows the shopper to specify that an employee should be called.

When button B21 is touched, a call signal is sent from the payment device to the product registration device that sent the payment information via the LAN. In the product registration device that receives this call signal, a call recommendation screen is displayed, for example, on the touch panel 2. On this call recommendation screen, information indicating the payment device that sent the call signal is displayed. Therefore, the employee can easily know that he or she has received a call from a shopper operating the corresponding payment device.

The selection button B41 is touched by a shopper who selects cash payment. The selection button B42 is touched by a shopper who selects credit card payment. The selection button B43 is touched by a shopper who selects points payment. In other words, the first payment screen SC5 is a screen that allows the shopper to select one of the payment methods from cash payment, credit card payment, and points payment.

After checking the first payment screen SC5, the shopper selects one of the payment methods displayed in the display area R21 and touches the corresponding selection button B41, B42, or B43. Then, the shopper performs a payment operation on the payment device using the selected payment method.

The CPU 20, which has displayed the payment screen SC5, waits for the selection button B41, B42, or B43 to be touched. When the selection button B41, B42, or B43 is touched, the CPU 20 considers that the payment method corresponding to the touched selection button B41, B42, or B43 has been selected. The CPU 20 executes the payment process using the selected payment method. That is, when the selection button B41 is touched, the CPU 20 executes the payment process for cash payment. When the selection button B42 is touched, the CPU 20 executes the payment process for credit payment. When the selection button B43 is touched, the CPU 20 executes the payment process for point payment using accumulated points in the member table.

These payment processes are all well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. Incidentally, if the member transaction is for a member whose member flag is set to "1", then in this payment process, bonus points are calculated according to the total amount, for example. These bonus points are sent to the database server along with the member number in the member table, and are accumulated for each member in the member database.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel 2 of the self-checkout device 100. Figure 12 shows an example of a payment confirmation screen SC5 for cash payment. The payment confirmation screen SC5 includes a display area R13 and buttons B14, B15. The payment confirmation screen SC5 also includes a display area R11 for displaying operational guidance to the shopper. Furthermore, the payment confirmation screen SC5 displays a store clerk call button B13 in the same position as that on the payment screen SC4.

Display area R13 displays the total amount, the amount inserted into the automatic change machine 30, and the amount of change. Button B14 is used by shoppers who do not receive a receipt to indicate that they have confirmed the details of the payment. Button B15 is used by shoppers who receive a receipt to indicate that they have confirmed the details of the payment. In the following description, button B14 is referred to as the settlement button B14, and button B15 is referred to as the receipt button B15. Display area R11 displays a message urging the shopper to touch either the settlement button B14 or the receipt button B15.

When the payment process is complete, the CPU 20 operates the printer 28 to print a receipt. After printing the receipt, the CPU 20 repeats the subsequent processes as described above.

The self-checkout device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a first RFID antenna 15 provided on the first placement section 6a of the work table 6, a second RFID antenna 16 provided on the second placement section 6b, and a CPU 20 which is a purchased product detection section. A product basket 12 containing products before registration is placed on the first placement section 6a, and a shopping bag 13 containing purchased products is placed on the second placement section 6b. The first RFID antenna 15 then reads information from the wireless tags which store identification information of the products in the product basket 12 on the first placement section 6a all at once. The second RFID antenna 16 reads information from the wireless tags of the products which are inserted one by one from the product basket 12 on the first placement section 6a to the shopping bag 13 on the second placement section 6b. Furthermore, the CPU 20, which is the sales item detection unit, detects all purchased items stored in the shopping bag 13 from the information read by the first RFID antenna 15 and the information read by the second RFID antenna 16. As a result, even if items in the shopping basket 12 overlap and are missed by the first RFID antenna 15, the second RFID antenna 16 can read all purchased items without omission when inserting items one by one from the shopping basket 12 on the first placement section 6a into the shopping bag 13 on the second placement section 6b. Therefore, even if there are multiple wireless tags within the communication range of the tag reader, all items can be reliably detected.

The self-checkout device 100 also includes a touch panel 2, which displays a list of products in the shopping basket 12 read by the first RFID antenna 15. The registration screen of the touch panel 2 simultaneously displays a read list, which is a list of tag data read from RFID tags by the first RFID antenna 15 in order to determine the multiple products in the shopping basket 12 on the first placement unit 6a that are the subject of payment, and a check box 41. The read list is checked by displaying a check mark in the check box 41 based on the information read by the second RFID antenna 16. Therefore, the customer can check the reading of the products by simply visually checking the screen display of the touch panel 2 each time they move and insert each product from the shopping basket 12 into the shopping bag 13. This reduces the possibility of overlooking a purchased product to be inserted into the shopping bag 13.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which a shopping bag 13 is placed on the second placement section 6b is shown, but a second shopping basket may be placed instead of the shopping bag 13. This second shopping basket can be distinguished from the shopping basket 12 before payment by having a structure on the first placement section 6a that differs in color and shape from the shopping basket 12. Also, the above embodiment can be implemented using electronic tags other than RFID tags.

In addition, in this embodiment, the product basket 12 and shopping bag 13 are placed on the work table 6, but an auxiliary table or the like may be provided on the work table 6 to further expand the work space. In this case, a work space can be secured for tasks such as folding products such as clothing.

In addition, in this embodiment, the presence of a customer is detected by the human sensor 36, but at the same time, the first RFID antenna 15 and the second RFID antenna 16 may be configured to detect the membership card held by the customer. In this case, when the customer enters the self-checkout device 100, it is possible to identify whether the customer is a card member or a non-member. Therefore, the guide screen displayed on the touch panel 2 can be used differently depending on whether the customer is a card member or a non-member. In the case of a non-member, the touch panel 2 may display "Welcome," and in the case of a card member, the touch panel 2 may display "Thank you for visiting us." The self-checkout device 100 may also be equipped with a scanner, a barcode reader, touch input functions, and the like.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a self-checkout device 100 of the second embodiment. This embodiment is an example in which a detachable automatic change dispenser 30 is connected to the side of one self-checkout device 100 of the first embodiment and the two devices are arranged side by side. In this case, the self-checkout device 100 that handles cash can be arranged independently.

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the overall schematic configuration of a self-checkout device 300 of the third embodiment. The self-checkout device 300 of this embodiment is obtained by removing the partition wall 8 of the self-checkout device 100 of the first embodiment. In the self-checkout device 300 of this embodiment, a first placement section 6a for placing product baskets 12 before payment and a second placement section 6b for placing shopping bags 13 can be arranged side by side on a single flat plate on the work table 6. In this case, the same effect as the self-checkout device 100 of the first embodiment can be obtained.

According to these embodiments, it is possible to provide a payment processing device that can detect all products even when multiple wireless tags are present within the communication range of the tag reader.

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 forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.
The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below.
[1] A payment processing device characterized by comprising: a workbench having a first mounting section for mounting a first product storage body containing products before registration and a second mounting section for mounting a second product storage body containing read products; a first wireless tag reading section attached to the first mounting section and reading information from a wireless tag that stores identification information of the products in the first product storage body; a second wireless tag reading section attached to the second mounting section and reading information from the wireless tag of the products placed in the second product storage body; and a display section that displays all read products stored in the second product storage body based on the information read by the first wireless tag reading section and the information read by the second wireless tag reading section.
[2] The payment processing device described in [1], wherein the first product storage body is a first product basket, and the second product storage body is at least one of a shopping bag storing scanned products or a second product basket.
[3] The payment processing device described in [1], wherein the workbench has a partition wall between the first placement section and the second placement section that separates the wireless tag reading area.
[4] The display unit displays a read list of the products in the first product storage container by the first wireless tag reading unit, the read list has check columns for the products, and the check columns are checked based on the read information by the second wireless tag reading unit, of the payment processing device described in [1].
[5] The payment processing device described in [1], to which a cash processing unit for cash payments can be detachably connected, the worktable.

1...housing, 2...touch panel, 4...card reading section, 5...receipt issuing port, 6...work table, 6a...first placement section, 6b...second placement section, 7...monitor table, 8...partition wall, 9a...right side wall section, 9b...left side wall section, 10a...horizontal surface, 10b...horizontal surface, 11a...first work space, 11b...second work space, 12...product basket, 13...shopping bag, 14...guide rod, 15...first RFID antenna, 16...second RFID antenna, 20...CPU, 21...ROM, 21...employee, 22...RAM, 22a...tag list area, 22b...writing list area, 23...auxiliary memory unit, 24...clock unit, 25...touch panel controller, 26...card reader, 27...card reader controller, 28...printer, 29...printer controller, 30...automatic change machine, 30a...housing, 31...change machine interface, 31b...membership table, 32a...first tag reader, 32b...second tag reader, 33...communication device, 33b...total Table, 34...input port, 35...bus line, 36...human presence sensor, 37...weight sensor, 41...check column, 41a...cell, 42...coin insertion slot, 43...coin ejection slot, 44...banknote insertion slot, 45...banknote ejection slot, 46..."add" button, 47..."delete" button, 48...receipt issuing slot, 100...self-checkout device, 200...communication network, 201...product server, 202...membership server, 300...self-checkout device, AR1...area, B 1...button, B12...settlement button, B13...call store clerk button, B14...button, B15...receipt button, B2...button, B21...button, B41...selection button, B42...selection button, B43...selection button, R1...display area, R11...display area, R13...display area, R2...display area, R21...display area, R22...display area, R23...display area, SC1...card inquiry screen, SC1...registration screen, SC4...payment screen, SC5...payment confirmation screen.

Claims (5)

a workbench having a first placement section for placing a first product storage body, a second placement section for placing a second product storage body, and a partition wall disposed between the first placement section and the second placement section;
a first wireless tag reader provided on the first placement section and configured to read information from a wireless tag that stores identification information of the products in the first product storage unit;
a second wireless tag reader provided on the second placement section and configured to read information of the wireless tags of the products in the second product storage unit;
Equipped with
The first placement portion and the second placement portion are arranged side by side in an arrangement direction with the partition wall interposed therebetween,
the first mounting portion and the first wireless tag reading portion are provided on one side of the partition wall in the arrangement direction , and the second mounting portion and the second wireless tag reading portion are provided on the other side of the partition wall in the arrangement direction ,
the partition wall separates a wireless tag reading area between the first wireless tag reading unit and the second wireless tag reading unit,
The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless tag reading unit and the second wireless tag reading unit are disposed on a wall surface on the rear side of the worktable . The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second placement sections have openings on the top and front. The processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are multiple first wireless tag reading units. The workbench is disposed on the front side of an upper surface of a box-shaped housing,
A monitor stand is provided on the rear side of the work table,
A receipt issuing port is attached to the front side of the housing,
A display unit is installed on the monitor stand.
The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The processing device according to claim 4, wherein the display unit is formed by a touch panel.