JPH07152961A - Pos device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically generate a commodity code for a commodity on which a bar code, etc., can not be stuck by discriminating a commodity whose bar code is not detected by a means which discriminates the commodity and generating its commodity code. CONSTITUTION:When a commodity is made to pass below the optical input terminal 2-2 of an optical input device 2, an image of the commodity is inputted to the optical input terminal 2-2. Then image data on the commodity are sent to a signal (image) processor 2-1, which performs an image process; when there is a bar code in the image a commodity code is read out of image data on the bar code and outputted. When there is no bar code in the image, on the other hand, feature parts of the shape, size, color, etc., of the commodity are read out, what the commodity is discriminated from the features, and its commodity code is generated. When the commodity code is thus outputted, a CPU 1-1 is used to find its price, etc., by using a PLU (commodity table) stored in a commodity code storage device 1-2 and performs a sales processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a POS device used in mass retailers such as supermarkets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a terminal of a POS device used in a mass retailer has a large amount of PLU (product table), and as a means for searching for this, a product code is displayed as a bar code and printed on the product. In addition, a method of reading this with a bar code reader is adopted. Therefore, barcodes are attached or printed on many products.

By the way, a bar code or the like can be pasted or printed on a product such as a box, a bag, a bottle, or a can. is there. Therefore, conventionally, a product such as a fruit and vegetables, to which a barcode cannot be pasted, is manually input to a keyboard without using a barcode reading device.

[0004]

However, in order to operate the keyboard, not only the operator has to remember the keyboard surface, but also the keyboard is operated manually, which may result in erroneous input. Further, in order to facilitate the operation of the keyboard, it is preferable to mount the keyboard in front of the operator, but this means that the keyboard is mounted between the operator and the customer, and the keyboard becomes an obstacle for customer service. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object thereof is to automatically use a product code even if a bar code or the like cannot be attached, by using an optical means. It is to provide a POS device that can be generated.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a central processing unit, a storage device for storing programs and various data, an optical input device for reading a bar code, and an output device. In a POS device that reads a product code of a product from a bar code by an optical input device, inputs the product code, performs sales processing by the central processing unit, and outputs the sales processing data to an output device, the optical input device is a bar code. In addition to a means for reading a code, a means for discriminating the commodity by directly optically inputting characteristics such as shape, size and color of the commodity is provided, and a means for discriminating the commodity when a bar code is not detected. It is characterized in that the products are discriminated by the above to generate the product code, and the sales are processed by the central processing unit.

[0007]

[Function] Most products sold without packaging, such as fruits and vegetables,
Since the shape, size, color and the like are extremely characteristic and the types are limited, it is possible to directly input the characteristics such as the shape of the product and discriminate them. That is, by inputting the characteristics such as the shape of the product into the optical input device, it is possible to generate the product code even for the product to which the barcode is not attached. Therefore, the work of inputting with the keyboard is not necessary and can be automated.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the POS device according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the POS device includes a CPU (central processing unit) 1-1, a storage device 1-2, a peripheral device control unit 1-3, and a display unit 1-4.
A key input section 1-5, a printer output section 1-6, and an optical input device 2.

Here, the CPU 1-1 controls the entire POS device by executing a control program stored in the storage device 1-2. The storage device 1-2 includes an internal storage device and an external storage device, and stores various data in addition to storing the control program.

In response to a command from the CUP 1-1, the peripheral device control unit 1-3 controls input / output of the display unit 1-4, the key input unit 1-5, the printer output unit 1-6, and the optical input device 2. To do.

The optical input device 2 comprises a signal (image) processing device 2-1 and an optical input terminal 2-2. For example, an industrial television camera is used as the optical input terminal 2-2, and a product and a barcode attached to the product are input as an image. The signal (image) processing device 2-1 processes the image data output from the optical input terminal 2-2, and if there is a barcode in the image, obtains a product code from the image data of the barcode. On the other hand, if there is no bar code in the image, the shape, size,
The product code is obtained by discriminating the product from characteristics such as color.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an external configuration example of the POS device. As shown in this figure, this POS device is
The apparatus main body 1, a signal (image) processing device 2-1, an optical input terminal 2-2, a cashier counter 3, and a cash box 4 are provided. Here, in the POS device main body 1, a CPU 1-1, a storage device 1-2, a peripheral device control unit 1-3, a display unit 1-4, which are shown in FIG.
A key input unit 1-5 and a printer output unit 1-6 are built in.

When using this POS device,
A PLU (product table) is stored in the storage device 1-2 in advance. Further, the signal (image) processing device 2-1 includes
A program for discriminating products based on the shape, size, color, etc. of products without a bar code such as fruits and vegetables attached in advance and a data table showing the relationship between the products and product codes are entered and registered in the storage unit. Keep it.

FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart of this POS device. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, when the product is passed under the optical input terminal 2-2 (see FIG. 3), an image of the product is input to the optical input terminal 2-2 (step 1). Then, the image data of the product is sent to the signal (image) processing device 2-1 for image processing, and if there is a barcode in the image, the product code is read from the image data of the barcode and output (step 2, 3) (Example 5 in FIG. 4 below).

On the other hand, if there is no bar code in the image, the characteristic part such as the shape, size, and color of the product is read (steps 2 and 4), the product is discriminated from the characteristic, and the product code is identified. Is generated (steps 5 and 6).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the discrimination processing. As shown in the figure, for example, when a triangular green product is detected in Example 1, the discrimination program determines that it is bell pepper, and the product code of this product is selected from the data table and output. Similarly, when the characteristics of each product are detected as shown in Examples 2 to 4, each product is judged by the discrimination program, and the product code is selected from the data table and output.

When the product code is output from the optical input device 2 as described above, the CPU 1-1 is then used to store the product code in the storage device 1-2.
A search is made from the (commodity table) (step 7), data such as the price is obtained, and sales are processed (step 8).

When the operator presses the transaction end button on the POS device main body 1, the transaction processing is performed in the CPU 1-1 (steps 9 and 10). If the product passes under the optical input terminal 2-2 again without being pressed, the above steps 1 to 9 are repeated again.

As described above, by using the optical input device 2 for discriminating the shape of a product, the keyboard for product input can be deleted. Further, if one optical input device 2 is provided with a product discriminating means such as a shape and a bar code reading means as in the present embodiment, the input devices can be integrated, downsized and integrated.

The conventional bar code reading apparatus uses a laser beam tube and a light receiving element which have a short life and are difficult to handle. However, if the bar code or the like is read by the television camera as in the above embodiment. , You don't need to use a laser tube because you can use a natural light source.

[0022]

As described in detail above, the POS device according to the present invention has the following excellent effects. Even products without a bar code can be discriminated by the optical input device, so that the input items that were manually input on the keyboard can be automatically input, which not only simplifies the work but also prevents erroneous input manually.

Since the common optical input device can read the bar code and discriminate the products according to their shapes, the size of the input device can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart of a POS device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a POS device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of a POS device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a discrimination process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1 Central Processing Unit 1-2 Storage Device 1-3 Peripheral Device Control Unit 1-4 Display Unit 1-5 Key Input Unit 1-6 Printer Output Unit 2 Optical Input Device 2-1 Signal (Image) Processing Device 2 -2 Optical input terminal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A central processing unit, a storage device for storing programs and various data, an optical input device for reading a bar code, and an output device are provided, and the product code of a product is read from the bar code by the optical input device. Input,
In a POS device that performs sales processing by the central processing unit and outputs the sales processing data to an output device, the optical input device includes a means for reading a bar code, a shape, a size, a color, etc. of a product. A product having means for discriminating the product by directly optically inputting characteristics, and for a product not detecting a bar code, the product is discriminated by the means for discriminating the product to generate the product code, and the product is sold by the central processing unit. A POS device characterized by processing.