JPH05266322A - Self-scanning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To considerably reduce the monitoring labor of a cashier by providing a product detection means at the downstream side of a sending-in conveyor and arranging a weighing unit in a position where product weight can be weighed after the product detection means detects a product. CONSTITUTION:A customer turns on a start switch 15 in an operation part, and product data which is self-scanned is read by an electronic cash register 31 by using a product read means 11. Product weight Wd is read out of a product data file DA. The product is loaded on the sending-in conveyor 21 and a measuring operation is executed in the measuring unit 22. A weight comparison judgment means 31A compares measured weight Wm with product weight Wd, and the operation of the sending-in conveyor 21 is started by the judgment of Wm=Wd. When the product detection means detects on the way of conveying the product sent by the sending-in conveyor 21, a measuring unit 23 on the downstream-side executes the measuring operation again. Here, the weight comparison judgment means compares again remeasured weight Wm with product weight Wd, and re-recognizes the identity. When it is re-recognized, sales is registered, the sending-in conveyor 21 is stopped, and the product is sent to a stock place by a sending-out conveyor 41.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-scanning system device that allows a customer to scan the product data of a purchased product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a checkout device provided in a supermarket, a customer himself / herself uses a self-scanning system device to scan the product data of a purchased product, and a checkout operation including money transfer is performed electronically. There is a cash register that is configured to be performed by a clerk (cashier).

For example, the checkout device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-46591 is a dual-purpose cashier system comprising a plurality of self-scanning system devices and a common electronic cash register. On the other hand, 1
There is also a dedicated system including one or two self-scanning system devices and one or two dedicated electronic cash registers.

FIG. 6 shows a general structure of the latter checkout device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a self-scanning system device, which is an operation unit 10 for a customer to perform a scanning operation, a loading / weighing unit 20, an unloading unit 40, and a stock / bagging unit 50.
And are arranged in rows in the product flow direction. The operation unit 10 includes
A product reading means (optical scanner or the like) 11 for reading a bar code attached to a product and an input / display unit 12 including various switches such as a start button and a display are provided. Further, the carry-in / measurement unit 20 is a carry-in conveyor 2 for carrying in the self-scanned products in the arrow direction.
1 and a weighing machine 22 that weighs the weight of the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21. Carry-out section 40
Includes a carry-out conveyor 41 and an inclined shooter 42, and carries out the goods after the settlement to a stock / bagging unit 50 having a stock place 51.

Here, the electronic cash register 31 is
It forms the settlement unit 30, and is provided between the carry-in / measurement unit 20 and the carry-out unit 40.

In such a checkout device, when the customer himself scans his or her purchased merchandise on the operation unit 10, the merchandise data is stored in the electronic cash register 31.
While being registered in the sales registration file of, the products are conveyed to the stock / bagging unit 50 through the carry-in conveyor 21 and the carry-out conveyor 41.

Therefore, the cashier is the settlement unit 30.
In the above, it is only necessary to perform the settlement work for the customer after scanning. After that, the customer will be bagged at the stock location 51. Therefore, the cashier can concentrate on the settlement work only, which improves the work efficiency. On the other hand, customers can shop quickly without waiting for a long line. According to the checkout device disclosed in the above publication, work efficiency can be further enhanced by the dual role of cashier.

However, regardless of the dual-use system or the exclusive-use system, in such a self-scanning system device 1, the product scanned by the customer and the carry-in conveyor 21 are used.
There may be a case where the product actually placed on the customer does not match. If this is left unattended, the settlement work becomes troublesome and the improvement of work efficiency and customer service due to the introduction of the self-scanning system device 1 cannot be achieved. On the other hand, when a customer is willing to do so, it is difficult to overlook this dishonesty.

Thus, in such a checkout device, a weight comparison / determination means is provided, and the weight (Wd) of the product scanned by the customer is read from the product data file in the electronic cash register 31 and placed on the carry-in conveyor 21. The weight (Wm) of the commercial product is automatically measured by the measuring device 22, and it is automatically determined whether or not the weights of the two match.

That is, if the control unit such as the electronic cash register 31 has a scan input (ST30 in FIG. 7),
It is confirmed that the input data is a legitimate product registered in the product data file (YES in ST31), and a message (1), for example, "put scanned product on conveyor" is displayed (ST32). ). According to this, when the customer places the product on the carry-in conveyor 21, the weight change, that is, the product placement is known from the output signal of the weighing device 22 (ST33), and the weighing device 22 is operated to automatically weigh the product weight Wm. (ST34).

Here, the weight comparison and determination means is the weight W of both sides.
It is determined whether or not m and Wd match (ST35). If they match (Wm = Wd) (YES in ST35), the carry-in conveyor 21 is driven (ST36) and then sales are registered. Note that the carry-in conveyor 21 may be of a type that is previously driven to carry. Then, a message notifying the customer of the next procedure is displayed and output on the display unit (12) (ST37).

On the other hand, when the merchandise weight Wd that is not a regular merchandise (NO in ST31) or the scanning-inputted merchandise weight Wm and the automatically weighed weight Wm do not match (N in ST35).
In (O), a coping message such as "Please rescan" or "Place the scanned product" is displayed to the customer as previously proposed by the applicant (ST38). Also, the alarm is issued only once if necessary. In this case, the transport conveyor 21 remains stopped. Therefore, it is possible to improve business efficiency and service while preventing intentional or negligent fraud.

[0013]

However, the following problems have been pointed out in the above-described conventional self-scanning system device 1 as the spread thereof spreads.

That is, the customer uses the product reading means 11 in the operation unit 10 to self-scan the purchased product and places it on the carry-in conveyor 21. Then, the weighing device 22 automatically weighs the product weight Wm. From this point of view, the weighing device 22 is arranged on the operation unit 10 side, that is, on the upstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21, as shown in FIG. Therefore, once the product identity is confirmed by the weight comparison and determination means, the settlement operation is automatically performed by the data registered after the sale.

However, particularly when the carry-in conveyor 21 becomes large, there are cases where a product that has not been scanned is placed on the carry-in conveyor 21, or a product that is of the same type as the scanned product but is more expensive than that.
These are not only mischief for dwarfs, but also the intention of some adults.

Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the willfulness and mischief of the cashier. However, this monitoring, along with the busyness of the checkout work, places a heavy burden on the cashier. In particular, in the case of the dual-purpose cashier system, it can be said that it is practically impossible to monitor all and all the devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-scanning system device capable of preventing the illegal goods from being placed on the carry-in conveyor while significantly reducing the burden on the cashier.

[0018]

A self-scanning system apparatus according to the present invention comprises an operation section including product reading means arranged in a row in the product flow direction, a carry-in conveyor, and a carry-in / measurement section having a measuring device. A carry-out section including a carry-out conveyor,
It consists of a stock / bagging unit that has a stock location, and the product weight corresponding to the product data of the product self-scanned by the customer by the operation unit by the weight comparison and determination means and the product weight placed by the customer on the carry-in conveyor and by the weighing machine. In a self-scanning system device having a product identity confirmation function for comparing and judging the identity of a measured product with a measured weight, a product detection unit for detecting that the product has been conveyed is provided downstream of the carry-in conveyor. The weighing device is arranged at a position where the weight of the product can be measured after the product detection means detects the product.

[0019]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when the product placed on the carry-in conveyor is conveyed to the downstream side, the product detection means automatically detects the arrival of the product. Then, the weighing machine automatically weighs the product. Here, the weight comparison / determination means compares the read product weight with the measured weight to determine the product identity. Accordingly, since the settlement unit, that is, the cashier's hand side, determines the product identity, it is possible to automatically check whether or not an unauthorized product has been placed on the carry-in conveyor by then. The cashier's fraud monitoring burden can be greatly reduced.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3, this self-scanning system device has two units (1A, 1B) arranged in parallel, and a common settlement unit 30 [two electronic cash registers 31 in the middle.
(A), 31 (B)] is provided as a so-called two-lane checkout device.

This self-scanning system device 1A
The basic configuration of (1B) is similar to that of the conventional example (FIG. 6), but the product detection means (24) is provided on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21 and the product weight (Wm) can be measured after the detection. Weighing device 23 is installed at the position, and its weighing weight W
The weight comparison / determination means (31A, 31B) is configured to confirm the product identity using m, and is configured to automatically check for fraud such as improper product placement on the carry-in conveyor 21 or product replacement. ing.

Further, in this embodiment, the carry-in conveyor 21
The weighing machine 22 is also provided on the upstream side of the product, and when the customer places the product on the carry-in conveyor (upstream side) 21, the weight (Wm) of the product is automatically weighed and the product identity is confirmed. In addition, a method of transporting the carry-in conveyor 21 is used, and the weight comparison / determination means (31A, 31B) is provided in the main scale 23.
It is formed to reconfirm the product identity using the product weight (Wm) weighed in.

The same or common parts as those of the conventional example (FIG. 6) are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

By the way, the weight comparison / determination means and the like in this embodiment are constructed by combining the constituent elements of the electronic cash register 31 (A) [31 (B)] constituting the settlement section 30 and their functions. There is. Therefore, first, the electronic cash register 31 will be described.

In FIG. 1, the electronic cash register 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU 31A that manages calculations, judgments, commands, etc., a ROM 31B that stores various programs and fixed data, a RAM 31C that temporarily stores various data, a keyboard 32 (controller 32C), a printer 37 (controller 37).
C), drawer 34 (controller 34C), operator display 35 (controller 35C), customer display 3
6 (controller 36C), an interface 31D, etc., it is possible to perform data processing in a general setting mode, registration mode, inspection mode, and settlement mode, and is capable of data transmission with a host computer (not shown).

The RAM 31C has a work area WA and a sales registration area RM for temporarily storing data being processed.
There is a product data file area DA. In the product data file area DA, as shown in FIG. 2, the product code, the product name, the unit price, and the weight Wd of the product are preset and stored. In the sales registration area RM, in addition to the product data self-scanned by the customer on the operation unit 10, the scanner 33 (controller 33C) shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the product data input by the cashier operating the keyboard 32 is also stored.

On the other hand, the interface 31D is connected to the following devices constituting the self-scanning system device 1.

That is, the commodity reading means 11 forming the operation unit 10, the four-stage display 14, the start switch 15,
Input with stop switch 16 and buzzer 17
The display unit 12 is connected. The start switch 15 is for declaring that the customer starts inputting, that is, scanning of product data for self-purchase using the product reading means 11, and the stop switch 16 is for declaring its end.
Therefore, when the start switch 15 is turned on, the self-scanned product data is transferred to the interface 31.
It is automatically input to the electronic cash register 31 via D, and the scanned product data is temporarily stored in the working area WA of the RAM 31C.

Further, the weighing machine 22 arranged on the upstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21 shown in FIG.
The weight Wm is a means for automatically weighing the weight of the self-scanned product placed on it, and this weight Wm is temporarily stored in the working area WA of the RAM 31C.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the scale 22 has a structure for automatically weighing the weight of the product placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 which is stopped. Therefore, it is much smaller and more accurate than the conventional example. Further, since it does not come into sliding contact with the carry-in conveyor 21 in operation, the structure is simple and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the weighing device 22 can be configured to be movable up and down, the weighing device 22 can be separated from the loading conveyor 21 after weighing, that is, while the loading conveyor 21 is operating.

On the other hand, the weighing device 23 is arranged on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21. The performance and the like are the same as those of the weighing machine 22. In connection with this, product detection means (detection sensor 2
4) is provided on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21. The detection sensor 24 automatically detects the product conveyed by the conveyor 21.

Here, the technical feature of the present invention is that the product weight (Wm) is automatically weighed (automatically re-weighed in this embodiment) by the weighing device 23 on condition that the product detection means (24) has detected. The weight comparison determination means (31A, 31
In B), the product identity is confirmed (reconfirmation in this embodiment).

The shelf 15 in FIG. 3 is used to temporarily store products or the like that have failed in self-scanning.

Further, the interface 31 shown in FIG.
The conveyor controller 29 connected to D is means for controlling the operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 and the carry-out conveyor 41. The operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 is started by the conveyor operation control means described later, and a predetermined time after the detection sensor 24 (FIGS. 1 and 3) provided on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21 detects a product, the conveyor controller 29 causes the carry-in conveyor 21 to operate. Be stopped. On the other hand, the carry-out conveyor 41 is transported after the start switch 15 is turned on. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor controller 29 allows the carry-in conveyor 21 to be carried and operated by a foot switch 38 arranged in a range where the cashier can be operated, and can be emergency stopped by an emergency switch 39. ing.

The product reading means 11, the input / display unit 12, the weighing device 22, the weighing device 23, and the conveyor controller 29 are controlled by the CPU 31A based on the programs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 stored in the ROM 31B. Drive control is performed with linkage.

The weight comparison / determination means compares the product weight data (Wd) with the measured weight data (Wm) and determines whether the two weights are equal (Wm = Wd).
In this embodiment, it is composed of a CPU 31A and a ROM 31B. Specifically, it is executed in ST15 of FIG. 4 and ST19 of FIG.

That is, the weight comparison / determination means (31A, 31B) in this embodiment includes firstly a product identity confirmation function (ST15) and secondly a product identity reconfirmation function (ST1).
9) is said to be exerted. The first product identity confirmation function is performed using the measured weight Wm automatically measured by the upstream side weighing device 22 (ST13 to 15 in FIG. 4). As a result, the conveyor 21 is used to drive the conveyor. In addition, the second product identity reconfirmation function is performed by using the measured weight Wm automatically measured by the main scale 23 on the downstream side (ST17 of FIG. 4 to ST19 of FIG. 5). This is to prevent fraudulent activities such as replacement of scanned products on the carry-in conveyor 21 with different products, illegal placement of products to be scanned, and the like, which can greatly reduce the cashier's monitoring burden. ..

The product weight data (Wd) is input by the customer's self-scanning and is stored in the RAM 31C (Wd).
Based on the scanning product data (D) temporarily stored in (A), the product data file (D
As the weight (Wd) of the product stored in A),
Obtained by the CPU 31A. Next, the conveyor operation control means is composed of the CPU 31A and the ROM 31B, and the weight comparison and determination means (31A, 31B) determines that both weights are equal (Wm = Wd) (ST1 in FIG. 4).
On the condition of (YES of 5), the conveyor operation command signal of the carry-in conveyor 21 is output to the conveyor controller 29. That is, only when the customer self-scans the self-purchased product and places the product on the carry-in conveyor 21, the carry-in conveyor 21 is started to carry. Therefore, the wasteful operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 is eliminated, and there is no need to operate the carry-in conveyor 21 in the reverse transport mode. Moreover, since only the regular purchased products are conveyed, it is possible to operate at high speed.

Thus, when the product reaches the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21, the product detecting means (24) operates (ST1
7), the CPU 31A causes the downstream side weighing device 23 to perform automatic weighing operation (ST18), and the weight comparison and determination means (31A, 31).
A product identity reconfirmation function (ST19) is expressed in B). As a result of reconfirmation, if there is identity (YE in ST19)
Since S) has no problem, the next handling message is continuously displayed (ST20).

On the other hand, if NO is determined, a countermeasure message is displayed on the display 14 (ST21). The message to be dealt with is, for example, "Please replace the scanned product", "Please remove the product different from the scanned product", and so on. In this case, the fact that there is no identity is displayed on the operator display 35. It will also be alarmed if necessary. Therefore, the cashier can automatically detect fraud without constantly monitoring.

Further, in ST21, when NO is determined in ST15 of FIG. 4 or when NO is determined in ST11, a coping message is displayed. For example, "Please rescan", "Please put the scanned product", etc.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A customer who has placed a large number of purchased products in a cart stops at the operation unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 and turns on the start switch 15. Then, the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display a handling message "Please scan the product". The product data D self-scanned by the customer using the product reading means 11 is R forming a scanning product data storage means.
Temporarily stored in the work area WA of AM31C (Fig. 4
ST10). Input data is normal (Y in ST11
ES) and the CPU 31A, the scanning product data D
The weight Wd of the product corresponding to is read from the product data file (DA) in FIG. 2 and temporarily stored in the work area WA.

Subsequently, the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display a message to the effect that the product should be placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 (ST12). Then, the customer places the product on the carry-in conveyor 21. This is confirmed from the change in the output signal of the upstream side measuring device 22 (YE in ST13).
S). As a result, the CPU 31A causes the weighing device 22 to perform the weighing operation (ST14). The measured weight Wm is temporarily stored in the work area WA.

Here, the weight comparison and determination means (31A, 31)
B) compares the measured weight Wm and the product weight Wd with each other, and automatically determines whether or not the scanned product is placed on the conveyor 21 (ST15). That is, when it is determined that Wm = Wd (YES in ST15), the CPU 31A forming the conveyor operation control means,
A transfer operation command signal is output to the conveyor controller 29 to start the transfer driving operation of the carry-in conveyor 21 (S
T16).

On the other hand, when Wm ≠ Wd (N in ST15)
O), CPU 31A forming a countermeasure message display means
Causes the display 14 to display a coping message such as "Please put the scanned product" (ST21). The buzzer 17 also gives an alarm. In this case, the carry-in conveyor 21 is not operated and remains stopped. The same applies when the input data is out of order (NO in ST11).

When it is determined that the self-scanned product is placed on the carry-in conveyor 21 (YES in ST15), the product is sent downward by the carry-in conveyor 21 in FIG.

In the middle of this, product detection means (detection sensor 2
When 4) detects a product, CP as reweighing control means
U31A causes the weighing device 23 on the downstream side to perform reweighing (ST18). The re-weighed weight Wm is temporarily stored in the work area WA.

Here, the weight comparison and determination means (31A, 31
In B), the re-weighed weight Wm and the product weight Wd are re-compared to reconfirm their identity (ST19). If the judgment is YES, the scanning product data storage means (RAM 31
The scanning product data temporarily stored in C) is
It is registered in the sales registration storage area RM by the CPU 31A. After this, the conveyor controller 29 stops the carry-in conveyor 21. The goods are sent to the stock location 51 via the carry-out conveyor 41.

Thereafter, the CPU 31A causes the display 14 to display a handling message such as "Please scan the next product" and "Press the stop switch" (ST20). The same applies to the following products (ST10-2
Handled in 1). When self-scanning is completed for all customer purchased products and the stop switch 16 is pressed,
The self-scanning work is completed.

On the other hand, if NO is determined in ST19, a countermeasure message such as "please replace with scanned product" is displayed on the display unit 14 and the operator display unit 35 displays the message. An alarm is issued if necessary (ST21). Therefore, a cashier can detect some kind of fraud without burden.

After the determination of YES is made in ST19, the total amount and the like are displayed on the displays 35 and 36 of the electronic cash register 31, and the customer pays at the settlement section 30. For items temporarily placed on the shelf 15 due to a self-scanning malfunction, the cashier has a keyboard 32 or a scanner 3.
3 is manually input. Settled customers are stock
The product is packed in the bagging unit 50.

However, according to this embodiment, the operation unit 1
In the self-scanning system device 1 in which 0, the carry-in / weighing unit 20, the carry-out unit 40, and the stock / bagging unit 50 are arranged in a row in the product flow direction and the weight comparison / determination means (31A, 31B) are provided, the carry-in conveyor 21 The merchandise detecting means (24) and the weighing machine 23 are disposed on the downstream side of the product, and when the merchandise is conveyed to the downstream side of the conveyor 21, the weight comparison and judgment means (31A, 31B) identify the same merchandise. Since it is configured to check the property, the carry-in conveyor 21
Even if there is a product that is not scanned above, it can be automatically checked. Therefore, the monitoring labor of the cashier can be significantly reduced.

In addition, the weighing machine 2 on the upstream side of the carry-in conveyor 21
The product identity confirmation (ST15 in FIG. 4) is exerted with the weighed weight Wm weighed in 2, and the product identity is reconfirmed (ST19 in FIG. 5) with the weighed weight Wm by the main scale 23 provided on the downstream side. Since it is configured to do so, if there is inconvenience such that the conveyor 21 can be operated without waste and an unscanned product is placed on the carry-in conveyor 21, the product is not conveyed toward the conveyor 41. Mu.

Also, the product identity reconfirmation (ST19) returns N.
If it is judged as O, the operator's display 35 displays that fact, so that the cashier can easily know the fact, and in the case of mischief of a dwarf, the mother (customer) will need more than necessary. No worries about making you feel uncomfortable.

Although the above self-scanning system device 1 was introduced into the 2-lane dedicated check-out device, it can be directly implemented as the self-scanning system device for the dual-purpose check-out device disclosed in the above publication. ..

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, the product detection means and the weighing device are provided on the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor, and the weight comparison is performed when the product is carried to the downstream side of the carry conveyor. Since the determination means confirms the identity of the product, the product can be automatically checked even when a product that is not scanned is placed on the carry-in conveyor during transportation. Therefore, the monitoring labor of the cashier can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise a diagram for explaining a product data file.

FIG. 3 is likewise a plan view of the entire checkout device.

FIG. 4 is likewise a flow chart (1) for explaining the operation.

FIG. 5 is also a flowchart (2) for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A, 1B Self-scanning system device 10 Operation unit 11 Product reading unit 12 Input / display unit 14 Display unit 15 Shelf 17 Buzzer 20 Carry-in / weighing unit 21 Carry-in conveyor 22 Metering device 23 Metering device 24 Detection sensor (commodity detecting unit) 29 Conveyor controller 30 Settlement unit 31, 31A, 31B Electronic cash register 31A CPU (weight comparison judgment means) 31B ROM (weight comparison judgment means) 31C RAM 31D interface 32 keyboard 33 scanner 34 drawer 35 operator display 36 customer display 37 Printer 38 Foot Switch 40 Unloading Section 41 Unloading Conveyor 50 Stock / Bag Packing Section 51 Stock Place Wd Product Weight Wm Weighing Weight

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Article readers arranged in a row in the product flow direction
Carry-in with operation section including steps, carry-in conveyor, and weighing device
・ Weighing section, unloading section including unloading conveyor, and stock area
Comparing the weight with the stock / bagging section
By the judgment means, the customer self-scans with the operation unit.
Depending on the product weight and customer corresponding to the product data of the product
Products placed on the carry-in conveyor and weighed by a weighing machine
Product identity confirmation machine that compares and judges the identity with the measured weight
In the self-scanning system device having the function, it is detected that the product has been conveyed to the downstream side of the carry-in conveyor.
A means for detecting products to be put out is provided and
After the product detection means detects the product, weighs the product
A self-scanner characterized by being placed in a position where it is possible
System equipment.