JPH03273492A - Automatic merchandise vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by erecting a column on the back of an operator, providing an arm extending from the upper end of this column via the upper portion of the operator to a front portion and attaching a scanner unit to the tip end of this arm. CONSTITUTION:A base 21 disposed on a floor surface and on which an operator 20 stands is provided. The column 22 is nearly vertically erected from the rear end of this base 21. To the upper portion of the column 22 is connected to an arm 26 bent in a shape of chevron. To the tip end of the arm 26 is attached with a scanner unit 28. Thus, the operation of the operator 20 is carried out in an open state between a customer and him, thereby effectively obtaining good communication with the customer. Since the customer only passes through the front portion of the operator 20, the movement of a customer is easily understood. Further, the movement of the customer is linear, which is not troublesome to the customer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product vending device equipped with a scanner for reading barcodes provided on products.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, supermarkets and the like sell a large amount of products in a short period of time by reading barcodes attached to products, and are able to compile various data on the products sold.

In a system that adopts such a sales method, the present applicant has proposed a system that allows customers to check out products while they are still loaded in a cart.
No. 7995 proposes and implements one method. That is, the structure will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveyance path determined to have a length to continuously convey two carts 2. This conveyance path 1 has the lower ends of opposing cart guides 3 and 4 connected by a connecting plate 5, and one side of the cart guides 3 and 4 connected by an inverted U-shaped vibro whose height is higher than that of the cart 2. One cart guide 3 has the length of two carts 2, but the other cart guide 4 has a short length. A columnar support 7 is fixed to the center of one of the cart guides 3, and this support 7 has a scanner 9 having a reading window 8 on the front, a checker display 10, and a customer display. 11 is installed,
A keyboard 12 is held at the top of the casing of the scanner 9. Further, on the extension surface 13 extending from one end of the connecting plate 5, a stand 15 on which a cash register 14 is placed is provided.
is located. The scanner 9 is located inside the transport path l and above the cart 2. moreover.

The display device 10 is located on the loading side of the scanner 9 and is held by the support body 7.

In such a configuration, FIG. 3 shows a state in which an empty cart 2 is sent to the discharge side of the conveyance path 1, and a customer 18 sends a cart 2 containing products to the carry-in side of the conveyance path 1.

In this state, the products in Cart 2 on the carry-in side are
16, the product data is read by the scanner 9 during the process of passing through the front side of the reading window 8 and being stored in the cart 2 on the carry-out side. Products that are not marked with data such as barcodes are entered manually using the keyboard 12. On the other hand, customer [8] who is currently paying the bill moves to the cashier 17 and waits for payment, and when the checkout of all the items in one cart 2 is completed, the total amount charged by the cashier 17 is The cart 2 is then taken over by the checker 16 from the delivery side of the transport path 1 and moved to a predetermined packaging location. After this, the checker 16
The empty cart 2 is sent to the carry-in side of the conveyance path 1 and waits for the next customer 18 to send the cart 2 containing goods to the carry-in side of the conveyance path 1. Therefore, the carts 2 can be sequentially circulated as part of the checkout operation. Further, the cart 2 for taking out products and the cart 2 for storing products are continuous in the conveyance path 1, and the scanner 9, keyboard 12, and display 10 are located inside the conveyance path 1 without interfering with the conveyance of the cart 2. Since the product can be moved closer to the checker 16 with a small movement, the product can be passed in front of the reading window 8 or the keyboard 12 can be operated, thereby reducing the labor of the checker 16. It can be reduced. Furthermore, the checker 16 needs to confirm the location of the product when taking out the product from the cart 2 on the carry-in side rather than when storing the product in the cart 2 on the carry-out side after reading the product data. By arranging the display device 10 on the loading side of the scanner 9,
The data of the previously read product can be confirmed on the display 1O on the line of sight that searches for the next product to be read from the cart 2 located on the carry-in side, and this allows the user to greatly change the direction of their line of sight. This can alleviate eye fatigue and improve the efficiency of checkout operations.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Although the conventional method has various features as described above, the customer does not observe the operator's surroundings from the time the customer brings in the cart until the time the customer checks out. You have to turn around, and that movement is a hassle for customers. Furthermore, a device such as a scanner is interposed between the customer and the operator, which obstructs mutual communication. Furthermore, there is the problem that the work is difficult to do with a human operator, and a two-person system has to be adopted.

Means for solving the problem: A support is erected on the back of the operator, and an arm is provided that extends from the top of the support to the front, passing over the operator, and the bar code attached to the product is attached to the tip of the arm. A scanner unit equipped with a scanner, a keyboard, and a display section is installed.

Since there is only a scanner unit supported by an arm in front of the operator, there is an open space between the customer and the operator, making it easy to communicate with each other, and the customer can move in a straight line, making it easy to move. The handling of the product during the reading operation by the operator is also simple.

Example An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG.

First, the scanning device 19 is erected and fixed on the floor. That is, there is provided a board 21 which is placed on the floor and on which the operator 20 stands, and from the rear end of this board 21 a column 22 is erected substantially perpendicularly. A seat 23 on which the operator 20 sits is attached to the front surface of the support column 22 so as to be openable and closable. That is, this seat 23 is folded when not in use and opened forward only when in use. Further, on this seat 23, a switch panel 24 and an intercom 25 are provided.

Next, an arm 26 bent in the shape of a "<" is connected to the upper part of the support column 22.

This arm 26 is located above the head of the operator 20, and a lighting device 27 is attached to the inner surface of the side on the column 22 side. Furthermore, the arm 2
A scanner unit 28 is attached to the tip of 6. This scanner unit 28 has a touch scanner (not shown) with a code for reading barcodes attached to products, and also has a display section for the operator and a PLU key etc. on the surface 29 facing the operator 20. keyboard(
(none of which are shown) are provided. Furthermore, a customer display section 30 is provided on the customer side.

Further, reference numeral 31 is a cart for carrying goods, and this cart 31 includes a base 33 equipped with wheels 32, and a base 33 provided with wheels 32.
It consists of a pillar 34 erected from above, a product storage section 35 attached to the upper part of the pillar 34, and a handle 36 arranged on the upper end side.

One empty cart 31 is always on standby in front of the operator 20.

In such a configuration, in front of the operator 20,
Since there is only a scanner unit 28 supported by an arm 26 located above, its front surface is completely open. An empty cart 31 is placed in front of the operator 20, and the customer places his/her own cart 31 in that position.
1 is transported and 2 is delivered. The operator 20 places the two carts 31 facing each other as shown in the figure, takes out the products from the carts 31 that the customer has brought in, uses a touch scanner to read the barcodes, and checks the products after the reading has been completed. into the empty cart 31. If you repeat this action,
All the products are moved to the empty cart 31.

The customer pulls out this cart 31.

Such work by the operator 2o is carried out in an open state with the customer, allowing for good communication between the two. Furthermore, since the movement of one customer only needs to pass in front of the operator 20, it is easy to understand, and the movement is linear, so it is not bothersome for the customer.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention includes a column erected on the back of the operator, an arm extending from the upper end of the column to the front passing over the operator, and a device attached to the product at the tip of the arm. Since the scanner unit is equipped with a scanner, a keyboard, and a display to read barcodes, all that is in front of the operator is the scanner unit supported by an arm, creating an open space between the customer and the operator. This has the advantage of making it easier to communicate with each other, allowing customers to move in a straight line and making it easier to move, and making it easier for operators to handle products during reading operations.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional example, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof. 20...Operator, 21...Strut, 26...Arm, 28...Scanner unit Applicant: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.'' Syayaa unit diagram (column A), ld, I″r3

Claims (1)

[Claims] A support is set up on the back of the operator, and an arm extends from the top of the support to the front, passing over the operator.The tip of this arm is equipped with a scanner, keyboard, and display for reading barcodes attached to products. A product vending device characterized in that a scanner unit having a part and a scanner unit is attached.