JPH03238587A - Commodity code reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the generation of double reading and to check operator's illegal operation by informing a registration error to an informing means when a change in total weight data is not generated until the reading of the succeeding commodity code or the execution of summing operation or two or more changes are generated. CONSTITUTION:In each reading of a commodity code by a scanner 21, the existence of a change in the total weight data measured by a weight scale 31 is decided. At the time of deciding that the change in the total weight data is not generated until the reading of the succeeding commodity code or the execution of summing operation, a registration error is informed to the informing means 24. At the time of deciding that two or more changes in the total weight data are generated until the reading of the succeeding commodity code or the execution of summing operation, a registration error is informed to the means 2. Consequently, the generation of double reading can be prevented and operator's illegal operation can be checked.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a product code reading device that reads product codes such as barcodes attached to products.

[Prior Art] In a product code reading device that reads a product code such as a barcode attached to a product, an operator takes the product out of a shopping cart containing unregistered products and passes it through a reading window into the empty shopping cart. When the product is stored in the product, the barcode attached to the product is read during the transportation process, and whether or not the read barcode data is normal is determined based on a check digit or the like.

If the barcode is normal, the operator will be notified by a lamp or buzzer that the barcode has been read normally, and if the operator's operation is inappropriate when sending the read barcode data to the host computer. , it is easy for the barcode of the same product to be read twice.

To prevent this, conventional product code reading devices are equipped with a sensor in the path of product movement, and the direction of the product's passage can be determined based on the timing at which the sensor detects the product's passage and the timing at which the barcode is read. There is also a system that prevents double reading depending on the direction of passage.

Also, it is possible for the operator to place items in an empty shopping cart without having the operator read the barcode of the item.

To prevent this, conventional product code reading devices store the weight data of each product in advance, and compare the weight of the read product with the weight of the product stored in the empty shopping cart. I am also aware of a system that can check for operator fraud by comparing ``Double reading''. Since the direction in which the product can pass is limited, there is a problem in that operability is degraded.

In addition, the conventional configuration for checking fraud requires a separate file to store the weight data of each product, so there is a problem that the memory capacity increases as the number of products handled increases. be.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems and to provide a product code reader that can check for double reading and operator fraud without reducing operability or increasing memory capacity. The goal is to provide equipment.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The invention described in claim 1 includes a scanner that reads the product code of a product, and a weight scale that measures the total weight of the product before or after the product code is read by the scanner. , a notification means, and a control device, the control device comprising:
A determination means for determining whether there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale when the scanner or product code is read, and a determination means for determining whether or not there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale until the next product code is read or a tightening operation is performed. a first checking means that causes the notification means to notify a registration error when it is determined that there is no registration error; and a first checking means that causes the notification means to perform a change in the total weight data, until the next product code is read, or a tightening operation. and a second check means for causing the notification means to notify a registration error when it is determined that the registration error has occurred twice or more.

The invention as set forth in claim 2 further includes a scanner for reading a product code of a product, a weight scale for measuring the total weight of the product before or after the product code is read by the scanner, a notification means, and a control device. The control device includes a first storage means for storing the number of product code data read by the scanner, and a second storage means for storing the number of changes in the total weight data measured by the weight scale.
storage means, a comparison means for comparing the number of data in the first storage means and the number of changes in the second storage means when a tightening operation is performed, and a comparison means for comparing the number of data and the number of changes in the second storage means and checking means for causing the notification means to notify a registration error when the information does not match.

[Function] In the invention described in claim 1, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale every time the product code is read by the scanner.

Here, if it is determined that there is no change in the total weight data until the next product code is read or a tightening operation is performed, a registration error is notified to the notification means. This prevents double reading.

Further, if it is determined that the total weight data changes twice or more until the next product code is read or the tightening operation is performed, a registration error is notified to the notification means. This allows checking for fraud by the operator.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2, the number of product code data read by the scanner is stored in the first storage means, and the number of changes in the total weight data measured by the weight scale is stored in the first storage means. The information is stored in the second storage means.

Finally, when the tightening operation is performed, the number of data in the first storage means and the number of changes in the second storage means are compared. Here, when the number of data and the number of changes do not match, a registration error is notified to the notification means. Therefore, double reading can check for operator fraud.

[Solid Line Example] Hereinafter, a solid line example in which the present invention is applied to a checkout device will be described based on the drawings.

First Embodiment The first embodiment is shown in Figs. First, FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of the checkout device of this embodiment.

The checkout device is roughly divided into a registration section 1,
It is composed of a payment section 2.

The registration section 1 is provided with a soccer table 11. On the table surface of the soccer table 11, there is a space 12 at one end in the long direction for placing a shopping basket A containing unregistered products brought by a customer, and a space 12 at the other end for storing registered products. A scanner 21 is provided at an intermediate position to read the product code, that is, the bar code, of the product that is taken out from the shopping cart B and placed in the shopping cart B. A weight scale 31 for measuring the total weight of the shopping basket B and the products stored in the shopping basket B is provided at a position in the space 13 where the shopping basket B is placed.

The scanner 21 includes a reading device 22 and a keyboard 23.
and a display 24 as a notification means for displaying the barcode data read by the reading device 22. The reading device 22 scans the laser beam from the reading window 25 and receives the reflected laser beam from the barcode surface of the product passing in front of the reading window 25 to decode the barcode data and determine whether it is normal. The barcode data is sent to the payment unit 2 on the condition that: Further, a tightening operation is performed on the keyboard 23.

On the other hand, a PO3 terminal 41 constituting a control device is installed in the payment section 2. The POS terminal 41 includes a keyboard 42, a display 43, a printer 44 for printing on receipts and journals, a drawer 45, and the like.

Next, FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of the checkout device. In the figure, 51 is the cp of the PO8 terminal 41.
It is u. The CPU 51 has a data/address bus 52.
A ROM 53 that stores programs, a RAM 54 that stores registration data, etc., the keyboard 42, the display 43, the printer 44, and the interfaces 55 to 58 of the drawer 45 are connected to each other via the host computer, and communicate with the host computer. A communication interface 59 is connected thereto.

Further, in order to exchange data between the pos#i terminal 41 and the temple 1 terminal 21, a reading device interface 6 is provided for importing data from the reading device 22 of the scanner 21.
1. Keyboard ink-face 62 for importing key data from the keyboard 23; and the display 24.
A display interface 63 is provided for outputting display data to each display device. Furthermore, a scale interface 64 for importing weight data from the weight scale 31 is provided.

The RAM 54 also has an area for storing registration data, etc., as well as an area for storing the scanner 21 as shown in FIG.
The first, which temporarily stores the barcode data read by the
second barcode data areas 71 and 72; a weight data area 73 that stores and updates the weight data measured by the weight scale 31; and a number of changes that stores the number of changes in the weight data measured by the weight scale 31. Gown tough 4, setting change amount area 75, etc. are provided respectively. In addition, in the setting change amount area 75, a value corresponding to the weight of the lightest product among the n products is preset and stored.

Further, the CPU 51 executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 according to the program stored in the ROM 53. Here, by the CPU 51 and the ROM 53,
Discrimination means of this embodiment and the first. A second checking means is configured. That is, when the scanner 21 reads the product code, there is a determining means for determining whether there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale 31, and this determining means determines whether there is a change in the total weight data or when reading the next product code. a first checking means that causes the display 24 to notify a registration error when it is determined that there is no registration error until the tightening operation is performed; A second check means is configured to cause the display 24 to notify a registration error when it is determined that the tightening operation is performed twice or more.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A customer places shopping cart A containing unregistered products on soccer table 11.
When the operator places the product in the space 12 of the shopping cart A, the operator takes out the product from the shopping cart A, moves the product while pointing the barcode side of the product toward the reading window 25 of the scanner 21, and stores the registered product. Store in shopping basket B.

At this time, the barcode of the product moving through the reading window 25 is captured by the reading device 22, and the barcode data is transmitted to the PO8 terminal 41. In this way, after all the products in the shopping cart A are stored in the shopping cart B, the closing operation is finally performed on the keyboard 23.Meanwhile, the CPU 51 of the PO8 terminal 41 performs the closing operation according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Execute the process according to the following.

First, initialize with step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST) ■.
In other words, each area 71, 72, 73 and counter 74 are cleared, and then the process proceeds to ST2, where the weight data from the weight scale 31 (in this case, the weight of shopping basket B) is fetched, and the weight data is converted into a weight data. After storing it in area 73, the process advances to ST3 and the input of barcode data is checked.

Here, if barcode data is not input, ST
4, it is checked whether or not there is a change in the weight data from the weight scale 31. If there is a change in weight data, ST
, Return to 3 4 If there is a change in the weight data, proceed to ST5 and the amount of change, that is, the value obtained by subtracting the weight data in the weight data area 73 from the weight data on the weight scale 31 at the current time, is the setting change in the setting change amount area 75. Check if it is greater than or equal to the quantity data. If the amount of change is not greater than the set amount of change data, the process returns to ST3. If the amount of change is equal to or greater than the set amount of change data, the process proceeds to ST6, where a message indicating "registration omission" is displayed on the display 24, and then the process returns to ST3 on the condition that the correction process has been performed in ST7. In other words, even though the barcode data has not been read, the product has been stored in the shopping cart B, and this is notified to the operator by displaying "Registration Missed".

Next, when it is recognized in ST3 that barcode data has been input, the process proceeds to ST8, and after storing the inputted barcode data in the first barcode data area 71, the barcode data is transferred from the weight scale 31 in 5T11. Whether there is a change in weight data, whether barcode data is input on 5T21,
At 5T31, the presence or absence of a tightening operation is checked repeatedly in order.

When it is recognized at 5TII that there has been a change in the weight data, the process proceeds to 5T12 and it is checked whether the amount of change in the weight data is greater than or equal to the set change amount data in the set change amount area 75. If the amount of change is not greater than the set amount of change data, the process returns to 5TII. If the amount of change is greater than or equal to the set amount of change data, the process advances to 5T13 and the number of changes counter 74 is set to “
+1" count up, then proceed to 5T14, update and store the current weight data of the weight scale 31 in the weight data area 73, and then return to 5T11.

In addition, when it is recognized that barcode data has been input at 5T21, the process advances to 5T22 and after storing the manually entered barcode data in the second barcode data area 72, the process advances to 5T23 and the value of the counter 74 is counted. "1'"
Check whether Further, when it is recognized at 5T31 that a tightening operation has been performed, the process advances to 5T23 and checks whether the value of the counter 74 is '1'.

At this time, at 5T23, the value of the counter 74 is "1".
”, that is, if the weight data has changed only once until the next barcode data is input or the tightening operation is performed, proceed to 5T24 and read the barcode in the first barcode data area 71. After registering the data,
5T25, it is checked whether barcode data is stored in the second barcode data area 72.

Here, if barcode data is stored in the second barcode data area 72 in Sr15, that is, if the next barcode data is input in Sr11, the process advances to 5T26 and the second barcode data is stored. area 72
barcode data in the first barcode data area 7.
1, clear processing is performed, that is, the second barcode data area 72 and the number of changes area 74 are cleared, and then the process returns to STI 1.5T21 and 5T31.

On the other hand, at 5T25, if no barcode data is stored in the second barcode data area 72, that is, if a tightening operation has been performed in Sr11, the process advances to 5T32 and the tightening process is performed.

Also, at 5T23, the value of the counter 74 is "1'°
If not, proceed to Sr11 and check whether the value of the counter 74 is “O”
Check whether If the value of the counter 74 is "0", that is, if there is no change in the weight data until the next barcode data is input or the tightening operation is performed, the process advances to 5742 to indicate "duplicate registration". After displaying on the display 24, the process returns to Sr1 on the condition that the correction process has been performed in Sr1.

Also, in Sr11, the value of the counter 74 is "o"
``If not, that is, if the weight data changes more than once before the next barcode data is input or the tightening operation is performed, proceed to 5T43 and the display will indicate ``Para registration missing.'' After displaying at 24, the process returns to Sr1 on the condition that the correction process has been performed at Sr1.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the weight data changes only once from the time the PO8 terminal 41 receives the barcode data until the time the PO8 terminal 41 receives the next barcode data or until the tightening operation is performed. If the weight data changes or there is no change, the barcode data is registered, and if the weight data changes or there is no change, it is reported as “duplicate registration”, and if the weight data changes more than once, it is notified to the operator as “missing registration”. This makes it possible to prevent duplicate registrations and also check for operator fraud.

In particular, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide a sensor for detecting the passage of a product as in the conventional case, so that operability is not reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a memory for storing the weight of each product, the memory capacity can also be reduced.

In addition, a minus value corresponding to the weight data of the lightest product among the products handled is stored in advance in the setting change amount area 75 as setting change amount data, and when the change in weight data is equal to or greater than the set change amount data, Since the processing is proceeded on the assumption that there has been a change, for example, free items such as plastic bags and straws can be excluded.

Spoon main thick sumi 3 The second embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. Note that FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 are the same, so the explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the RAM 54 is provided with a barcode data counter 81, a change count counter 82, and a weight data area 83 shown in FIG. The barcode data counter 81 stores the number BN of barcode data read by the scanner 21, and the barcode data counter 81 stores the number of barcode data read by the scanner 21.
Reference numeral 2 stores the number of changes WN of the weight data of the weight scale 31, and constitutes a second storage means.

Further, the CPU 51 of this embodiment executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 according to the program stored in the ROM 53. Here, the CPU 51 and the ROM 53 store the data number BN of the barcode data counter 81 and the number of changes counter 82 when the tightening operation is performed.
A comparison means for comparing the number of changes WN with the number of changes WN, and a checking means for causing the display 24 to notify a registration error when the number of data BN and the number of changes WN do not match.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, in the 5T51, the initial setting is the jam counter 8.
Clear 1, 82 and area 83, then 5T5
Proceed to step 2 and check the input of barcode data.

Here, if barcode data is input, 5T5
Proceed to step 3 and increase the value BN of the barcode data counter 81 by 1.
Then, the process advances to 5T54, where the input barcode data is registered, and then the process advances to 5T55, where it is checked whether or not the weight data from the weight scale 31 has changed.

Also, if barcode data is not input, 5T5
3. Proceed to 5T55 without performing the process of 5T54.

In 5T55, if there is a change in weight data, 5T5
Proceed to ST 6 and increment the value WN of the change number counter 82 by "+1", then proceed to ST 57 and update and store the weight data from the weight scale 31 in the weight data area 83, then proceed to Sr18 and tighten. Check for operation. Also, if there is no change in weight data, 5T
Proceed to the process of 5T58 without performing the processes of 56 and 5T57. Therefore, in the process of 5T52 to 5T57, the number of barcode data read by the scanner 21 BN
is stored in the barcode data counter 81 and the number of changes WN of weight data is stored in the number of changes counter 82, respectively.

Therefore, in 5T58, when it is recognized that a tightening operation has been performed, the process advances to 5T59, and the data number BN of the barcode data counter 81 and the number of changes WN of the number of changes counter 82 are displayed.
Check if they match. If the two match, the process advances to 5T60 and tightening processing is performed.

If the two do not match, the process goes to Sr11 and checks whether the number of data BN is greater than the number of changes WN. If the number of data BN is greater than the number of changes WN, the process advances to 5T62, and after displaying on the display 24 that there has been "duplicate registration" for the number of data BN - number of changes WN, correction processing is performed in Sr13. Proceed to 5T60 with this condition.

In addition, in Sr11, the number of data BN is the number of changes WN
If it is not more than that, the number of changes WN - the number of data BN.
After displaying on the display 24 that there was a registration omission, S
5T6 on the condition that the correction process was carried out at T63.
Go to 0.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, until the tightening operation is performed, the number BN of barcode data read by the scanner 21 is stored in the counter 8 (and the number of changes WN of the weight data is stored in the counter 82). When the tightening operation is performed, the two are compared and the number of data BN or the number of changes W is stored.
When there are more than M, the operator is notified as ``duplicate registration'', and in the opposite case, it is notified as ``registered'', so that the same effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

In particular, in this embodiment, since it is only necessary to compare the number of data BN and the number of changes WN during the tightening operation, the processing can be simplified compared to the first embodiment. In other words, the program can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, the weight scale 31 is installed at the position where registered products or shopping cart B is stored, and the total weight of the products after barcode reading is measured. A weight scale 31 may be installed at the position where the shopping cart A containing the bar code is placed to measure the total weight of the products before the bar code is read.

Further, in the above embodiment, the display 24 of the scanner 21 is used as the notification means, but the display 43 of the pO3 terminal 41 may be used as the notification means, or it may be provided separately from these. Furthermore, the notification may be made not only by display but also by sound.

Further, in the above embodiment, the entire PO3H powder 41 is used as a control device, but the control device may be provided in the scanner 21, or may be provided separately from these.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

According to the invention set forth in claim 1, it is determined whether there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale when the scanner or the product code is read, and the change in the total weight data is determined until the next product code is read. Alternatively, if the tightening operation is not performed or if the tightening operation is performed twice or more, the notification means is made to notify a registration error, so double reading can be prevented and fraud by the operator can be checked. Furthermore, since there is no restriction on the passing direction of the product as in the past, there is no reduction in operability, and there is no need to have a file to store weight data for each product, which increases memory capacity. There is no.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, the number of product code data read by the scanner is stored in the first storage means, and the number of changes in the total weight data measured by the weight scale is stored in the second storage means. When the tightening operation is performed, the number of data in the first storage means is compared with the number of changes in the second storage means, and when the number of data and the number of changes do not match, it is registered in the notification means. Since errors are notified, in addition to the effects described in the invention described in item 1, processing can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the horizontal layout of the circuit, and FIG. 2 is a RAM diagram.
3 is a flowchart, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the RAM, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart. 21...Scanner, 24...Display device (notification means), 31...Weight scale, 41...POS terminal (control device), 51.53...CPU and ROM (discrimination means, first , second checking means, comparison means,
81...Barcode data counter (first storage means); 82...Barcode data counter (second storage means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A scanner that reads a product code of a product, a weight scale that measures the total weight of the product before or after the product code is read by the scanner, a notification means, and a control device, and the control device includes: A determining means for determining whether there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale each time the scanner reads a product code; and a determining means for determining whether or not there is a change in the total weight data measured by the weight scale; a first checking means that causes the notification means to notify a registration error when it is determined that there is no registration error until the next product code is read or a tightening operation is performed by the discrimination means; and second checking means for causing the notification means to notify a registration error when it is determined that the above has occurred twice or more. (2) A scanner that reads a product code of a product, a weight scale that measures the total weight of the product before or after the product code is read by the scanner, a notification means, and a control device, and the control device includes: A first storage means stores the number of product code data read by the scanner, a second storage means stores the number of changes in total weight data measured by the weight scale, and a tightening operation is performed. a comparison means for comparing the number of data in the first storage means and the number of changes in the second storage means; and the comparison means notifies the notification means of a registration error when the number of data and the number of changes do not match. A product code reading device characterized by comprising a check means for making a notification.