JP7477977B2 - Product reading device and product reading program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product reading device and a product reading program.

Traditionally, in the retail industry, there have been cases where, for example, there has been a shortage of manpower, making it difficult to secure enough checkers and cashiers to operate a store. In such cases, there are systems that allow consumers (customers) to perform product registration and payment operations themselves. One example is a system in which products are transported along a lane on a conveyer belt, and the products transported within the lane are registered. When using this system, there is a demand to perform registration tasks for multiple customers in succession in order to improve lane efficiency.

However, even after product registration for a transaction has been completed, downstream in the lane, tasks such as bagging and accounting for the products transported by the customer are being carried out. For this reason, while tasks such as bagging and accounting are being carried out, products for the next transaction are not transported and remain on the conveyor belt, making it impossible to improve the efficiency of the lane.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to improve lane efficiency when multiple transactions are carried out in succession.

A commodity reading device according to an embodiment includes a conveying unit, a reading unit, a sorting unit, and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys commodities. The reading unit reads commodity information related to the commodities conveyed by the conveying unit. The sorting unit is provided downstream of the conveying unit from the reading unit, and sorts the commodities conveyed by the conveying unit into at least two lanes. The control unit determines whether an object is present near the conveying start position based on an image captured by a camera arranged such that the vicinity of the conveying start position of the commodities by the conveying unit is included in an imaging range, and when the object is not present near the conveying start position, obtains information indicating that the absence of the object has been detected as information indicating the end of a transaction, and controls the sorting unit to switch the lane to which the commodities are sorted in response to the acquisition of the information indicating the end of the transaction.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a merchandise sales data processing system to which a merchandise reading device according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product sales data processing system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the commodity recognition device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the commodity recognition device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the accounting device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the product registration process of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration end determination process of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of FIG.

Below, a product sales data processing system and a product reading program to which a product reading device according to an embodiment is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the product sales data processing system described in the embodiment is a system related to a self-checkout register where customers themselves pay for purchased products. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. For example, the technology according to the embodiment can also be applied to a transport device that transports items such as products.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a product sales data processing system 1 to which a product reading device 10 according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product sales data processing system 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the product sales data processing system 1 includes a product reading device 10, an accounting device 30, and a store server 50. The product reading device 10, the accounting device 30, and the store server 50 are communicatively connected via a network 70. The product reading device 10 performs a reading process to read product information of a product H purchased by a customer P, and a product registration process to register the product H read by the reading process. The accounting device 30 performs a accounting process related to the product H registered by the product registration process. The store server 50 stores product master data related to the products H handled in the store.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the product reading device 10 includes a product placement table 141, a base 142, a loading table 143, a reading unit 15, and a product sorting unit 18.

The product placement table 141 is a table on which the product H to be purchased by the customer P is temporarily placed. For example, the customer P places the basket 20 containing the product H to be purchased on the product placement table 141.

The base 142 is a housing that connects the product placement table 141 and the loading table 143. The base 142 is equipped with a belt conveyor 144 that moves from the product placement table 141 toward the loading table 143. The belt conveyor 144 is driven by a conveyor drive motor 145. The belt conveyor 144 moves in the direction of the arrow K. For example, a customer P places a product H that is temporarily placed on the product placement table 141 at a transport start position AA on the belt conveyor 144. The belt conveyor 144 transports the product H placed at the transport start position AA toward the loading table 143. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the transport start position AA side is referred to as the upstream side, and the loading table 143 side is referred to as the downstream side. Here, the belt conveyor 144 and the conveyor drive motor 145 are an example of a transport unit. The belt conveyor 144 may also be referred to as a transport unit. The conveying section may further include an inclined section AB provided between the belt conveyor 144 and the loading platform 143.

In addition, a roller conveyor may be used instead of the belt conveyor 144. Furthermore, guidance LEDs may be provided on both sides of the product placement table 141 side of the base 142 that face the direction of the arrow K. These guidance LEDs guide the customer P which lane (loading space 1431, 1432) to use.

The loading platform 143 is a platform for bagging the products H transported by the belt conveyor 144. The loading platform 143 is a platform on which the products H are placed while the customer P is performing the checkout process using the checkout device 30. The products H transported by the belt conveyor 144 are poured and placed on the loading platform 143 by the conveying force of the belt conveyor 144 and the inclined portion AB provided between the belt conveyor 144 and the loading platform 143. The customer P bags the products H placed on the loading platform 143 and performs the checkout process using the checkout device 30.

The loading platform 143 according to this embodiment has at least two loading spaces. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the loading platform 143 has two loading spaces, a first loading space 1431 and a second loading space 1432. The two loading spaces 1431 and 1432 are formed by being separated by a partition plate 146.

Note that FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the loading platform 143 is divided by a partition plate 146 to provide two loading spaces 1431, 1432, but this is not limiting. The two loading spaces 1431, 1432 may be provided at separate locations.

Hereinafter, the route along which the product H is transported from the transport start position AA to the loading platform 143 will be referred to as a lane. The product reading device 10 according to this embodiment has at least two lanes. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the product reading device 10 has a first lane and a second lane. The first lane and the second lane branch off at the product sorting unit 18, which is provided downstream of the reading unit 15.

The first lane includes an upstream lane and a first downstream lane. The upstream lane is a lane that transports product H placed at the transport start position AA from the transport start position AA to the product sorting section 18 via the reading section 15 along the direction of the arrow K by the belt conveyor 144. The first downstream lane is a lane that transports product H from the upstream lane from the product sorting section 18 to the first loading space 1431 along the direction of the arrow KA by, for example, an inclined section AB provided downstream of the product sorting section 18.

The second lane includes an upstream lane and a second downstream lane. The upstream lane is common to the first lane. The second downstream lane is a lane that transports product H from the upstream lane from the product sorting section 18 to the second loading space 1432 along the direction of the arrow KB, for example, by an inclined portion AB provided downstream of the product sorting section 18.

The reading unit 15 reads the product information of the product H transported by the belt conveyor 144. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 15 has a tunnel-shaped housing with the top and sides shielded. The tunnel-shaped housing reduces the effect of external brightness on the reading process and stabilizes the reading of the product information of the product H. The reading unit 15 is positioned in the upstream lane so as to cover the conveyor surface of the belt conveyor 144. In other words, the product H transported by the belt conveyor 144 passes inside the tunnel-shaped housing of the reading unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 15 has a camera 151 and a wireless tag reader 152. The camera 151 captures an image of the product H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 and supplies the image (image data) to the input/output I/F 132. As the imaging element of the camera 151, various image sensors such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor can be appropriately used. The camera 151 also has an illumination unit that illuminates the conveyor surface of the belt conveyor 144 and the product H on the conveyor with light from a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source is not limited to an LED, and various light sources can be appropriately used depending on the image sensor, for example. The wireless tag reader 152 communicates with an RFID tag attached to the product H, etc., via an antenna arranged near the conveyor surface inside the housing of the reading unit 15. The wireless tag reader 152 reads tag information from the RFID tag superimposed on the received radio waves. An RFID tag is an example of a wireless tag.

The product sorting unit 18 sorts the products H conveyed by the belt conveyor 144 into at least two lanes. Here, the product sorting unit 18 is an example of a sorting unit. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the product sorting unit 18 sorts the products H from the upstream lane into the first downstream lane or the second downstream lane. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the product sorting unit 18 has a product sorting bar 181 and a bar drive motor 182. As shown in FIG. 1, the product sorting bar 181 is configured to be rotatable around the downstream side at a position downstream of the belt conveyor 144 from the reading unit 15. For example, when the tip of the product sorting bar 181 is located on the right side from the loading platform 143 side (downstream side) toward the conveying start position AA (upstream side), that is, when the direction of the product sorting bar 181 is along the arrow KA, the product H from the upstream lane is sorted into the first downstream lane. For example, when the tip of the product sorting bar 181 is located on the left side when moving from the downstream side to the upstream side, that is, when the product sorting bar 181 is facing in the direction of the arrow KB, the product H from the upstream lane is sorted to the second downstream lane.

Note that, although the above example shows a case where the pivot point of the product sorting bar 181 is located downstream of the belt conveyor 144, this is not limiting. The pivot point of the product sorting bar 181 may be provided midway along the path of transport of the products H by the belt conveyor 144. In other words, the belt conveyor 144 may also be provided downstream of the product sorting section 18. In this case, the belt conveyors 144 upstream and downstream of the product sorting bar 181 may have independent conveyor surfaces. Furthermore, in this case, the inclined section AB may not be provided.

In this embodiment, the product sorting unit 18 includes a product sorting bar 181 as a mechanism for sorting the products H to each lane, but is not limited to this. Other belt conveyors, roller conveyors, robotic hands, etc. can be used as the product sorting unit 18 as appropriate.

Hereinafter, when the same or similar elements are provided in both the first lane and the second lane, the same reference numerals will be used with the suffixes "1" and "2" respectively, and explanations may be omitted where appropriate. In addition, when it does not matter which of the first and second lanes the element is provided in, or when the elements are referred to collectively, the suffixes "1" and "2" may be omitted.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the product reading device 10 further includes a touch panel display 16 and operation buttons 17 (171, 172).

The touch panel display 16 has a display and a touch panel. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The touch panel is provided on the surface of the display and supplies information according to the touched position to the input/output I/F 132. The touch panel display 16 has an upstream touch panel display 161 (1611, 1612) and a downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622).

The upstream touch panel display 161 is positioned so that a customer P located near the transport start position AA can check and operate the display screen. The upstream touch panel display 161 displays an operation screen that allows the customer P to instruct the start or end of a transaction, and information about the product H that has been read by the reading unit 15.

The downstream touch panel display 162 is positioned so that a customer P located near the loading platform 143 can check and operate the display screen. The downstream touch panel display 162 displays an operation screen that allows the customer P to instruct the completion of the transaction, information about the product H read by the reading unit 15, information related to accounting such as the total amount of one transaction, etc.

The operation button 17 is arranged on the housing of the product reading device 10 so that it can be operated by a customer P located near the transport start position AA. When pressed by a customer P, the operation button 17 supplies an operation signal to the input/output I/F 132. The operation button 17 is pressed by the customer P after the customer P places all the products H of one transaction at the transport start position AA. Note that the operation button 17 is not limited to a button, and may be other configurations such as a lever or a switch. Here, the operation button 17 is an example of an operation unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the product reading device 10 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 123, a communication I/F 131, and an input/output I/F 132. The CPU 11, ROM 121, RAM 122, HDD 123, communication I/F 131, and input/output I/F 132 are connected via a bus.

The CPU 11 loads a control program stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123 into the RAM 122 and executes the loaded control program to control the operation of the commodity reading device 10. The commodity reading device 10 may further include other processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

ROM 121 is a non-volatile memory that stores the programs executed by CPU 11 and data such as parameters.

RAM 122 is used as a working memory and is a volatile memory in which data is stored when CPU 11 executes calculations.

The HDD 123 stores data such as the control program of the commodity reading device 10, the commodity master, and the commodity registration file. The commodity master is a master file that stores the commodity information (commodity code, commodity name, price, etc.) of the commodity H handled in the store. Because the commodity handled in the store changes daily, the commodity reading device 10 acquires the latest commodity master from the store server 50 using the communication I/F 131. Note that the commodity master stores the feature amount required for object recognition for the commodity H that is the subject of object recognition. The commodity registration file is a file that stores the commodity information (commodity name, price, etc.) of the commodity H purchased by the customer P, acquired from the commodity master. Note that in addition to or instead of the HDD 123, other non-volatile memories such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and flash memories may be used.

The communication I/F 131 communicates with the accounting device 30 and the store server 50, for example, via the network 70.

The input/output I/F 132 is an interface circuit that is connected to the conveyor drive motor 145, the camera 151, the wireless tag reader 152, the touch panel display 16, the operation buttons 17, and the bar drive motor 182.

The accounting device 30 performs accounting processing for one transaction based on the product registration file from the product reading device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the accounting device 30 is equipped with a touch panel display 35, a receipt printer 36, a deposit/withdrawal device 371, a card reader 372, and a camera 373. As shown in FIG. 2, the accounting device 30 further includes a CPU 31, ROM 321, RAM 322, HDD 323, a communication I/F 331, and an input/output I/F 332. The CPU 31, ROM 321, RAM 322, HDD 323, communication I/F 331, and input/output I/F 332 are connected via a bus.

The CPU 31 loads the control program stored in the ROM 321 or HDD 323 into the RAM 322 and executes the loaded control program to control the operation of the accounting device 30. The CPU 31 executes the control program loaded into the RAM 322 to realize various functions for performing accounting processing, but the description will be omitted. The accounting device 30 may further have other processors such as a GPU, ASIC, or FPGA. The ROM 321 is a non-volatile memory that stores data such as each program executed by the CPU 31 and parameters. The RAM 322 is a volatile memory used as a working memory and stores data when the CPU 31 executes arithmetic processing. The HDD 323 stores data such as the control program and transaction file of the accounting device 30. The transaction file is a data file that stores accounting data that records the contents of the product registration file received from the product reading device 10 and the results of the accounting processing performed by the accounting device 30. The transaction file is used as data that records the transaction history. In addition to or instead of the HDD 323, other non-volatile memories such as SSDs and flash memories may be used. The communication I/F 331 communicates with the commodity reading device 10 and the store server 50, for example, via the network 70. The input/output I/F 332 is an interface circuit that is connected to the touch panel display 35, the receipt printer 36, the deposit/withdrawal device 371, the card reader 372, and the camera 373.

The touch panel display 35 has a display, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and a touch panel provided on the surface of the display that supplies information according to the touched position to the input/output I/F 332. The touch panel display 35 displays an operation screen for the customer P to instruct the start, payment method, or end of accounting, and information related to accounting processing such as the total amount of one transaction. The receipt printer 36 has a printing unit and a receipt issuing port. The receipt printer 36 issues receipts printed by the printing unit from the receipt issuing port. The deposit/withdrawal device 371 has a coin/banknote insertion port and a coin/banknote withdrawal port. The deposit/withdrawal device 371 stores coins/banknotes inserted into the coin/banknote insertion port. In addition, the deposit/withdrawal device 371 pays out change of coins/banknotes to the coin/banknote withdrawal port in response to a change payment request from the CPU 31. The card reader 372 has a card insertion/ejection port. The card reader 372 reads and writes information from a credit card, membership card, etc. inserted through the card insertion/ejection slot, and ejects the card from the card insertion/ejection slot. The camera 373 captures information related to electronic money payment, such as a two-dimensional code or barcode, and supplies the image (image data) to the input/output I/F 332. As the imaging element of the camera 373, various image sensors such as a CCD or CMOS sensor can be used as appropriate. The camera 373 may also have an illumination unit that includes a light source such as an LED. The light source is not limited to an LED, and various light sources can be used as appropriate depending on the image sensor, for example.

1 and 2 show an example of one accounting device 30, but this is not limited to this. For example, an accounting device 30 may be provided for each lane.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the product reading device 10 in Figure 1. The CPU 11 executes a product reading program (control program) loaded into the RAM 122 to realize the functions of the transport control unit 101, the reading control unit 102, the allocation control unit 103, and the communication control unit 104. Here, the transport control unit 101, the reading control unit 102, the allocation control unit 103, and the communication control unit 104 are examples of control units.

The conveyor control unit 101 controls the movement of the belt conveyor 144 by controlling the operation of the conveyor drive motor 145.

The reading control unit 102 controls the operation of the reading unit 15. The reading control unit 102 acquires product information of the product H transported by the belt conveyor 144 based on image data from the camera 151.

For example, the reading control unit 102 reads a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to the product H based on the image data. The code symbol is, for example, information obtained by coding a JAN code (13 digits or 8 digits) that is a product identification number. For example, the reading control unit 102 reads an electronic watermark attached to the product H based on the image data. The electronic watermark is information in which information equivalent to the product identification number registered in the code symbol is encoded with fine dots and printed on the package of the product H. For example, the reading control unit 102 extracts a feature amount of the product H based on the image data. The extracted feature amount of the product H is used for object recognition. Note that object recognition for recognizing the product H included in the image is also called generic object recognition. Here, the code symbol, the electronic watermark, and the feature amount are each an example of product information related to the product H. The reading control unit 102 identifies the product H based on at least one of the read code symbol, the read electronic watermark, and the extracted feature amount, and the product master stored in the HDD 123.

When the allocation control unit 103 acquires information indicating the completion of a transaction, it controls the product allocation unit 18 to switch the lane to which the product H is allocated. Specifically, the allocation control unit 103 controls the bar drive motor 182 to control the position of the product allocation bar 181.

The communication control unit 104 communicates between the accounting device 30 and the store server 50, and transmits and receives data, files, etc.

Below, we will explain each process for each transaction executed by the product sales data processing system 1 according to the embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the product reading device 10 of Figure 1. The flow of Figure 4 is started, for example, when a customer P approaches the product reading device 10.

The approach of customer P to the commodity reading device 10 is detected, for example, when customer P operates the upstream touch panel display 161, but is not limited to this. The approach of customer P to the commodity reading device 10 may also be detected, for example, when commodity H is placed at the conveyance start position AA. For this reason, the commodity reading device 10 may have a camera or a weight sensor for detecting that commodity H has been placed at the conveyance start position AA. The commodity reading device 10 may also have a human sensor or a camera for detecting the approach of customer P. The commodity placement table 141 may also be configured to be able to detect that a basket 20 has been placed on it.

The commodity reading device 10 executes a commodity registration process (S1). As will be described in detail later, in the commodity registration process, the commodity H identified by the reading control unit 102 is stored in a commodity registration file for each transaction. After the commodity registration process for one transaction is completed, the communication control unit 104 transmits the commodity registration file to the accounting device 30 (S2). The commodity reading device 10 then ends the process of FIG. 4.

5 is a flow chart showing an example of a process executed by the accounting device 30 of FIG. 1. The accounting device 30 receives a product registration file from the product reading device 10 (S3). The accounting device 30 then executes accounting processing based on the received product registration file (S4). The accounting processing is a process in which the customer P operates the accounting device 30 to pay for the product H with cash, a credit card, electronic money, or the like. In the accounting processing, the accounting device 30 displays the total amount of one transaction based on the product registration file received from the product reading device 10, and performs processing related to the accounting for the total amount. The product registration file includes information such as the total amount of one transaction to be processed and product information of the product to be transacted. The product registration file may also include other information necessary for receipt printing, such as sales promotion information for receipt printing.
After the transaction process is completed, the transaction device 30 ends the process shown in FIG.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the product registration process of Figure 4. The flow of Figure 6 starts after, for example, in response to detection of the approach of customer P, the conveyor drive motor 145 is controlled by the transport control unit 101 to start the movement of the conveyor belt 144, and the reading control unit 102 starts the reading unit 15.

The camera 151 captures an image of the conveyor belt and outputs image data obtained by the image capture (S11). The communication control unit 104 acquires the image data from the camera 151. The reading control unit 102 determines whether or not an object is present within the imaging range of the camera 151 on the belt conveyor belt 144 based on the image data obtained by the image capture (S12).

When it is determined that an object is present on the conveyor belt 144 (S12: Yes), the reading control unit 102 reads information about the object based on image data from the camera 151 or tag information from the RFID tag acquired by the communication control unit 104. The reading control unit 102 determines whether product information has been read as information about the object (S13).

When product information about product H is read as information about an object on the belt conveyor 144 (S13: Yes), the reading control unit 102 registers the read product information in a product registration file (S14). After that, the reading control unit 102 displays the read product H on the touch panel display 16 (S15). After that, the flow of FIG. 6 returns to S11.

On the other hand, if there is no object within the imaging range of the camera 151 on the belt conveyor 144 (S12: No) or if the product information regarding the product H is not read (S13: No), the reading control unit 102 executes a registration end determination process (S16).

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration end determination process of Figure 6. A customer P using the commodity reading device 10 according to this embodiment presses the operation button 17 at the timing when one transaction ends. In response to being pressed by the customer P, the operation button 17 outputs an operation signal.

In addition, the configuration is not limited to the operation button 17, and each of the touch panel displays 161, 162, and 35 may be operated. In this case, each of the touch panel displays 161, 162, and 35 can be expressed as an example of an operation unit.

The reading control unit 102 determines whether the operation button 17 has been pressed based on whether the communication control unit 104 has received an operation signal from the operation button 17 (S21). When the operation button 17 has not been pressed (S21: No), the registration end determination process ends. On the other hand, when the operation button 17 has been pressed (S21: Yes), the reading control unit 102 outputs information indicating the end of the transaction.

The distribution control unit 103 acquires information indicating the end of the transaction from the reading control unit 102 (S22). The distribution control unit 103 may also acquire an operation signal from the operation button 17 as information indicating the end of the transaction (S22). After that, the registration end determination process ends.

The product registration process will be described further with reference to FIG. 6 again. After the registration end determination process is completed, the reading control unit 102 determines whether or not to end the transaction based on the result of the registration end determination process (S17). In this determination, when an operation signal is acquired from the operation button 17, that is, when the operation button 17 is pressed, it is determined that the transaction is to be ended. When it is determined that the transaction is not to be ended (S17: No), the flow in FIG. 6 returns to S11.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the transaction is to be ended (S17: Yes), that is, when the operation button 17 is pressed, the allocation control unit 103 controls the product allocation unit 18 to switch the lane to which the product H is allocated (S18). Specifically, the allocation control unit 103 controls the position of the product allocation bar 181 by controlling the bar drive motor 182. The product registration process then ends.

The timing at which one transaction ends is, for example, the timing after all products H of one transaction have been placed at the transport start position AA. In this case, the allocation control unit 103 switches the lane to which the products H are allocated when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation button 17 was pressed. The predetermined time is longer than the time it takes for the products H to be transported from the transport start position AA to the product allocation bar 181. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123, for example.

The timing at which one transaction ends can also be, for example, the timing after all the products H in one transaction have been read. In this case, the customer P can determine whether or not all the products H in one transaction have been read based on the display of each touch panel display 161, 162, 35. The specified time is a time longer than the time it takes for the products H to be transported from the reading unit 15 to the product sorting bar 181.

The timing at which one transaction ends can also be, for example, the timing after all the products H of one transaction have been transported to each of the loading spaces 1431 and 1432. In this case, the allocation control unit 103 switches the lane to which the products H are allocated when the operation button 17 is pressed.

In this way, the commodity reading device 10 according to this embodiment switches the lane to which the commodity H is allocated when it acquires information indicating the completion of the transaction. The information indicating the completion of the transaction may be an operation signal from the operation button 17 or each of the touch panel displays 161, 162, 35, or may be a control signal from the reading control unit 102 in response to the operation signal. As an example, the commodity reading device 10 according to this embodiment switches the lane to which the commodity H is allocated when it acquires information indicating the completion of the transaction.

According to this configuration, the lane to which the product H is allocated is switched for each transaction, so that the transport and product registration of the product H for the next transaction can begin even while the customer of the previous transaction is bagging or paying. In other words, according to the technology of this embodiment, it is possible to improve lane efficiency when multiple transactions are carried out consecutively. Improving lane efficiency contributes to improving customer satisfaction by reducing waiting time.

Below, we will explain each of the modified examples according to the embodiment. In the following explanation, we will mainly describe the differences from the embodiment, and will omit overlapping content as appropriate.

(First Modification)
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of Fig. 6. A customer P who uses the commodity reading device 10 according to this modification places, for example, all commodities H of one transaction at the transport start position AA, and then places an end symbol at the transport start position AA.

The end symbol is an object that is transported by the conveyor belt 144 after the product H of one transaction, and is a specific transported item different from the product H. Various objects such as stuffed toys and plates can be used as the end symbol as appropriate.

The reading control unit 102 determines whether the end symbol has been read, i.e., whether information related to the end symbol has been read (S31). When the end symbol has not been read (S31: No), the registration end determination process ends. On the other hand, when the end symbol has been read (S31: Yes), the reading control unit 102 outputs information indicating the end of the transaction. In other words, the information indicating the end of the transaction in this modified example is information indicating that the end symbol has been read.

The information on the end symbol is read in the same manner as for product H. For example, if the end symbol is provided with a code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, or an electronic watermark, the reading control unit 102 identifies (detects) the end symbol based on image data from the camera 151. For example, the reading control unit 102 extracts features of the end symbol based on image data from the camera 151, and identifies (detects) the end symbol by object recognition. Note that the information on the end symbol, i.e., the code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code provided with the end symbol, the electronic watermark, and the features required for object recognition, may each be stored in the product master, or may be stored in a file separate from the product master and stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123.

When the allocation control unit 103 acquires information indicating the end of the transaction from the reading control unit 102 (S32), i.e., when the end symbol is read, the allocation control unit 103 controls the position of the product allocation bar 181 by controlling the bar drive motor 182 so as to switch the lane to which the product H is allocated. Specifically, the allocation control unit 103 switches the lane to which the product H is allocated after a predetermined time has elapsed after the end symbol is read. The predetermined time is longer than the time it takes for the end symbol to be transported from the reading unit 15 to the product allocation bar 181. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123, for example.

In this way, the product reading device 10 according to this modified example switches the lane to which the product H is distributed when the end symbol is read. Even with this configuration, the same effect as in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. Note that the product reading device 10 according to this modified example does not need to have an operation button 17 because it can detect the end symbol in the same way as the product H, for example.

(Second Modification)
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of Fig. 6. The reading control unit 102 according to this modification starts measuring the elapsed time when the product information on the product H is read (S13: Yes).

The reading control unit 102 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the previous reading of the product H (S13: Yes) (S41). The predetermined time is longer than the time it takes for the product H to be transported from the transport start position AA to the reading unit 15. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the ROM 121 or the HDD 123, for example. If the predetermined time has not passed since the previous reading of the product H (S41: No), the registration end determination process ends. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed since the previous reading of the product H (S41: Yes), the reading control unit 102 outputs information indicating the end of the transaction. In other words, the information indicating the end of the transaction in this modified example is information indicating that the product H will not be transported for more than the predetermined time.

When the allocation control unit 103 acquires information indicating the end of the transaction from the reading control unit 102 (S42), that is, when the reading of the product H has not been performed for a predetermined time or more, the allocation control unit 103 controls the position of the product allocation bar 181 by controlling the bar drive motor 182 so as to switch the lane to which the product H is allocated. Specifically, the allocation control unit 103 switches the lane to which the product H is allocated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous reading of the product H. The predetermined time is a time longer than the time it takes for the last read product H to be transported from the reading unit 15 to the product allocation bar 181. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123, for example.

In this way, the commodity reading device 10 according to this embodiment switches the lane to which the commodity H is distributed when the reading of the commodity H has not been performed for a predetermined time or more, that is, when the commodity H has not flowed to the reading unit 15 for a predetermined time or more. Even with this configuration, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. Note that the commodity reading device 10 according to this modified example does not need to have the operation button 17.

(Third Modification)
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration end determination process of Fig. 6. The camera 151 according to this modification further includes a camera arranged so that the vicinity of the transport start position AA is included in the imaging range.

The camera 151 captures an image of the vicinity of the transport start position AA (S51). The reading control unit 102 determines whether or not there is an object near the transport start position AA based on the image data from the camera 151 acquired by the communication control unit 104 (S52). When there is an object near the transport start position AA (S52: Yes), the registration end determination process ends. On the other hand, when there is no object near the transport start position AA (S52: No), the reading control unit 102 outputs information indicating the end of the transaction. In other words, the information indicating the end of the transaction in this modified example is information indicating that a state in which there is no object (empty) has been detected in the vicinity of the transport start position AA. Therefore, the information indicating the end of the transaction in this modified example can also be expressed as information indicating that the product H will not be transported for a predetermined time or more.

When the allocation control unit 103 acquires information indicating the end of the transaction from the reading control unit 102 (S53), that is, when an empty state is detected near the transport start position AA, the allocation control unit 103 controls the position of the product allocation bar 181 by controlling the bar drive motor 182 so as to switch the lane to which the product H is allocated. Specifically, the allocation control unit 103 switches the lane to which the product H is allocated after a predetermined time has elapsed after an empty state is detected near the transport start position AA. The predetermined time is a time longer than the time it takes for the last read product H to be transported from the reading unit 15 to the product allocation bar 181. The predetermined time may be set in advance and stored in the ROM 121 or HDD 123, for example.

In this way, the product reading device 10 according to this modified example switches the lane to which the product H is distributed when an empty state is detected near the conveyance start position AA, that is, when no product H has flowed to the reading unit 15 for a predetermined period of time or more. Even with this configuration, the same effect as in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. Note that the product reading device 10 according to this modified example does not need to have an operation button 17.

The registration end determination processes according to the above-described embodiment and each of the modified examples can be combined as appropriate.

According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the efficiency of the clearing lane can be improved by conducting multiple transactions consecutively.

This embodiment illustrates a product sales data processing system 1 including a product reading device 10, an accounting device 30, and a store server 50, but is not limited thereto. The product sales data processing system 1 may be configured with the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30. In other words, the product sales data processing system 1 may not include the store server 50. The product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 may be configured as one unit. In other words, the product sales data processing system 1 may not include an accounting device 30 having an independent housing. The product sales data processing system 1 may also include a device in which the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 are configured as one unit, and the store server 50. Here, the device in which the product reading device 10 and the accounting device 30 are configured as one unit may be configured as a device dedicated to cashless payment with the deposit/withdrawal device 371 omitted. In this case, for example, the downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622) is further configured to be operable in the same manner as the touch panel display 35. The card reader 372 and camera 373 are located, for example, near the downstream touch panel display 162 (1621, 1622). An electronic receipt that digitizes receipt print data may also be used. In this case, the receipt printer 36 may be omitted.

The product reading device 10 of this embodiment includes a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM, an external storage device such as a HDD or CD drive, a display device such as a display device, and an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and may have a hardware configuration that utilizes a normal computer.

Each program executed by the product reading device 10 of this embodiment may be provided in the form of an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

In addition, each program executed by the product reading device 10 of this embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network.In addition, each program executed by the product reading device 10 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

In addition, each program executed by the product reading device 10 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

The product reading program executed by the product reading device 10 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (the transport control unit 101, the reading control unit 102, the allocation control unit 103, and the communication control unit 104). The CPU (processor) reads the product reading program from the storage medium and loads the above-mentioned units onto the main storage device. As a result, the transport control unit 101, the reading control unit 102, the allocation control unit 103, and the communication control unit 104 are generated on the main storage device.

Although several 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 gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1 Product sales data processing system 10 Product reader 11, 31 CPU
15 Reading unit 16, 35 Touch panel display (operation unit)
17 Operation button (operation section)
18 Product Allocation Department (Allocation Department)
20 basket 30 accounting device 36 receipt printer 50 store server 70 network 101 transport control unit (control unit)
102 Reading control unit (control unit)
103 Allocation control unit (control unit)
104 Communication control unit (control unit)
121,321 ROM
122,322 RAM
123,323 HDD
131, 331 Communication I/F
132, 332 Input/Output Interface
141 Product placement table 142 Base 143 Loading table 1431, 1432 Loading space 144 Belt conveyor (transport section)
145 Conveyor drive motor (transport section)
146 Partition plate 151, 373 Camera 152 Wireless tag reader 161 (1611, 1612) Upstream touch panel display (operation unit)
162 (1621, 1622) Downstream touch panel display (operation unit)
181 Product sorting bar (sorting section)
182 Bar drive motor (distribution section)
371 Cash deposit/withdrawal device 372 Card reader AA Transport start position AB Inclined portion H Product P Customer

JP 2019-139595 A

Claims (6)

A conveying unit that conveys the product;
a reading unit that reads product information regarding the product transported by the transport unit;
a sorting unit that is provided downstream of the conveying unit from the reading unit and that sorts the products conveyed by the conveying unit into at least two lanes;
a control unit that determines whether an object is present in the vicinity of the start position of transport based on an image captured by a camera positioned so that the vicinity of the start position of transport of the product by the transport unit is included within an imaging range, and when the object is not present in the vicinity of the start position of transport, obtains information indicating that the absence of the object has been detected as information indicating the completion of the transaction, and controls the sorting unit to switch the lane to sort the product in response to obtaining the information indicating the completion of the transaction. 2. The commodity recognition device according to claim 1 , further comprising an operation unit which is operated at a timing when one transaction is completed, and outputs information indicating the completion of the transaction in response to the operation. The product reading device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control unit obtains information regarding a specific transported item, different from the product, that is transported by the transport unit after the product of a transaction and read by the reading unit as information indicating the completion of the transaction. The product reading device of claim 3, wherein the control unit acquires information about the specific transported item read by the reading unit, which is at least one of a code symbol attached to the specific transported item, an electronic watermark attached to the specific transported item, and a feature of the specific transported item used for object recognition, as information indicating the completion of the transaction. The commodity reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit obtains information indicating that the commodity has not been conveyed for a predetermined time or longer as the information indicating the completion of the transaction. In a product reading device including a conveying unit that conveys products, a reading unit that reads product information on the products conveyed by the conveying unit, and a sorting unit that is provided downstream of the conveying unit from the reading unit and sorts the products conveyed by the conveying unit into at least two lanes, the product reading program causes a computer to execute the following: determine whether an object is present near the conveying start position based on an image captured by a camera positioned so that the vicinity of the conveying start position of the product by the conveying unit is included within an imaging range; obtain information indicating that the absence of the object has been detected when the object is not present near the conveying start position as information indicating the end of the transaction; and control the sorting unit to switch the lane to which the products are sorted in response to the acquisition of the information indicating the end of the transaction.

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