JPH0731317Y2 - Checkout device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a checkout device for reading and registering information of purchased commodities in a supermarket or a store.

[Prior Art] First, a conventional checkout apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, 1 is an electronic cash register, 2 is a stationary scanner, and 3 is a sucker stand on which the scanner 2 is fixed at a substantially central position. The scanner 2 is provided with a reading window 4 on its front side, and an operation unit 5 and a display unit 6 are provided on the upper portion thereof. The sucker table 3 is provided with a horizontal table 7 on which the shopping basket is movably placed in front of the reading window 4 of the scanner 2 in a horizontal state.

Now, as shown in FIG. 6, a shopping cart 8A containing the product 9 on the front side of the scanner 2 of the table 7, that is, on the right side in FIG.
And the empty shopping basket 8B is placed on the front side of the scanner 2 on the table 7, that is, on the left side in FIG. The cashier takes out the product 9 from the shopping cart 8A, passes the product 9 in front of the reading window 4 while directing the bar code surface (not shown) attached to the product 9 toward the reading window 4, Shopping basket 8B
Store inside. While the article 9 passes through the reading window 4, the barcode data is read by the light scanned from the inside of the reading window 4 to the outside. The data read here is sent to the electronic cash register 1 and registered there.

After the customer carries the shopping basket 8B having the goods 9 transferred to, for example, the bagging table, the cashier slides the empty shopping basket 8A to the front of the scanner 2 while sliding on the table 7. When the next customer places the shopping basket 8A containing the products on the table 7 on the front side of the scanner 2, the same procedure is repeated.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional checkout device, the height of the sucker base 3, the reading window 4 of the scanner 2 and the height of the operation unit 5 are restricted from the viewpoint of operability of the cashier, and Since the sack table 3 is characterized by moving the shopping basket in a horizontal state, when registering the product, first take out the product 9 from the shopping basket 8A right above and read it. It is necessary to pass the bar code surface attached to the commodity 9 toward the reading window 4 while being aware of the window 4 and store it in the empty shopping basket 8B.

In this way, after the product 9 is taken out of the shopping basket 8A, it must be moved in a substantially horizontal direction in order to pass through the reading window 4, that is, the movement locus of the product 9 must be intentionally bent. Therefore, there is a problem that the reading time is delayed especially when the work is continued because of fatigue.

Here, the purpose of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, a checkout device for reducing the fatigue of the cashier while maintaining the feature of moving the shopping basket in a horizontal state. To provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention according to the first aspect includes a scanner having a reading window, and a table on which a shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner in a horizontal state. In a checkout device for performing a checkout operation while passing a product in a shopping basket placed on this table in front of a reading window, at least one shopping basket on a table on the front side in the moving direction of the shopping basket with respect to the scanner. It is characterized in that the portion on which the minute is placed is configured as a tilt table in which the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction of the shopping cart as a fulcrum.

The invention according to the second aspect includes a scanner having a reading window, and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner in a horizontal state, and the inside of the shopping cart placed on the table is included. In the checkout device for performing checkout work while passing the product of FIG. 1 in front of the reading window, the portion of the table on the front side of the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner on which at least one shopping cart is placed is It is characterized in that a front end side is tilted downward with a rear end side in the moving direction of the car as a fulcrum, and a driving means for tilting the tilt table and returning to a horizontal state is provided.

The invention according to the third aspect includes a scanner having a reading window and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner in a horizontal state, and the inside of the shopping cart placed on this table is included. In the checkout device for performing checkout work while passing the product of FIG. 1 in front of the reading window, the portion of the table on the front side of the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner on which at least one shopping cart is placed is The tilting table is configured so that the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction of the car as a fulcrum, and a driving means for tilting the tilting table and returning to a horizontal state is provided, and the shopping cart is placed on the tilting table. A sensor for detecting that the shopping cart is placed on the tilt table is detected by the sensor. With bull operates the driving means in a direction which is inclined, the inclined table based on the check-out work end signal is provided a control device for operating the drive means in a direction to return to a horizontal state, and wherein the.

The invention as set forth in claim 4 includes a scanner having a reading window and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner while the shopping cart is in a horizontal state, and the inside of the shopping cart placed on this table is included. In the checkout device for performing checkout work while passing the product of FIG. 1 in front of the reading window, the portion of the table on the front side of the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner on which at least one shopping cart is placed is In the moving direction of the car, the rear end side is used as a fulcrum, and the front end side is configured as a tilt table that can be tilted downward. The tilt table is tilted and the driving means for returning to the horizontal state is provided. A foot switch for outputting a signal for switching the driving means is provided.

[Operation] In the invention of the first aspect, since the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side as the fulcrum, the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilt table is directed toward the scanner. Can be turned. Therefore, it is only necessary to linearly move the product from the shopping basket toward the reading window, and the cashier can easily see the shopping basket and take out the product, so that the fatigue of the cashier can be reduced. . In other words, ergonomically, it is natural for the arm to move from the bottom to the top centering on the shoulder, and from this point, the fatigue of the cashier can be reduced. Moreover, if the tilting table is returned to the horizontal state, the shopping basket can be moved in the horizontal state.

In the invention according to the second aspect, since the tilt table can be tilted downward with the rear end side as the fulcrum by the driving means, the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilt table is directed toward the scanner. Can be turned. Therefore,
Since the tilt table can be easily tilted, the fatigue of the cashier can be further reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the shopping cart is placed on the tilt table, this is detected by the sensor. Then, the drive means is operated in the direction in which the tilt table is tilted via the control device, so that the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilt table can be directed toward the scanner. Here, the commodities are sequentially picked up from the shopping basket and registered. When a check-out work end signal, for example, a signal based on the operation of the closing key in the electronic cash register is issued, the control device operates the driving means in the direction of returning the tilt table to the horizontal state. Therefore, when the shopping basket is placed on the tilt table, the tilt table is automatically tilted and automatically returned to the horizontal state after the checkout work is completed, so that the cashier is not burdened. Can be registered immediately, and the shopping basket can be moved immediately along the table in a horizontal state after the checkout work is completed.

In the device described in item 4, the cashier pushes the foot switch when the shopping basket is placed on the inclined table. Then, the driving means is operated in the direction in which the tilt table is tilted, so that the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilt table can be directed toward the scanner. Here, the commodities are sequentially picked up from the shopping basket and registered. When the cashier pushes the foot switch again after the check-out work is completed, the driving means is operated in the opposite manner. Therefore, when the shopping basket is placed on the tilting table, the tilting table can be tilted by the cashier, and the tilting table can be returned to the horizontal state after the checkout work is completed, so that the product registration can be smoothly performed. It can be carried out without sacrificing the horizontal movement of the shopping basket.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

First Embodiment A first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. First
In FIGS. 2 and 2, the front side of the moving direction of the shopping cart 8A with respect to the scanner 2, that is, the portion of the table 7 on the right side in FIG. 1 on which at least one shopping cart 8A is placed is the shopping cart 8A. The tilt table 7A is configured such that the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction as a fulcrum. That is, the tilting table 7A has the hinge 11 provided on the rear end side.
The front end side can be tilted downward with the fulcrum as a fulcrum.

At the lower position of the tilt table 7A, a cylinder 12 is provided as a drive means for tilting the tilt table 7A downward with the hinge 11 on the rear end side as a fulcrum and tilting the tip side downward. Here, tilt table 7A
When the tilting table 7A is tilted downward, the cylinder 12 is tilted so that the tilt table 7A tilts downward at an angle such that the product 9 in the shopping basket 8A does not fly out of the shopping basket 8A, for example, an angle of 10 ° to 15 °.
Stroke is set.

A strip-shaped stopper 13 and two photosensors 14A and 14B for detecting that the shopping cart 8A is placed on the tilt table 7A are provided on the front end side of the tilt table 7A, respectively. The stopper 13 is made of a high resistance material, for example, a material such as rubber in a band shape, and is attached flush with the upper surface of the tilt table 7A. When the shopping basket 8A is placed on the tilt table 7A, the photosensors 14A and 14B are shielded from light by the shopping basket 8A and turned off.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the control device 21 which controls the operation of the cylinder 12 based on the signals from the photosensors 14A and 14B. The control device 21 includes a transistor 22 that is turned off when at least one of the photosensors 14A and 14B is turned off, a flip-flop 23 that is set when the transistor 22 is turned off, and a Q output terminal of the flip-flop 23. A transistor 25 connected via an inverter 24 and a relay 26 that is excited when the transistor 25 is turned on.

To the R (reset) terminal of the flip-flop 23, a checkout work end signal, for example, a signal based on the operation of the closing key of the electronic cash register 1 is input. Therefore, when at least one of the photosensors 14A and 14B is turned off, the flip-flop 23 is set via the transistor 22. Then, the "H" level signal is output from the Q output terminal of the flip-flop 23, so that the transistor 25 is turned on and the relay 26 is excited. As a result, the cylinder 12 is operated in the direction in which the tilt table 7A tilts via the relay contact 26A of the relay 26. From this state, when a signal based on the operation of the closing key is input to the R terminal of the flip-flop 23, the flip-flop 23 is reset. Then, the "L" level signal is output from the Q output terminal of the flip-flop 23, so that the transistor 25 is turned off and the relay 26 is demagnetized. as a result,
The tilt table 7A is connected via the relay contact 26B of the relay 26.
The cylinder 12 is operated in a direction in which the cylinder returns to the horizontal state.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the shopping basket 8A containing the products 9 is moved to the top of the tilt table 7A, the shopping basket 8A is temporarily stopped at the position of the stopper 13 on the front end side of the tilt table 7A. Then, the photo sensors 14A and 14B are turned off because they are shielded from light by the shopping basket 8A.

When at least one of the photosensors 14A and 14B is turned off, the flip-flop 23 is set via the transistor 22. Then, the "H" level signal is output from the Q output terminal of the flip-flop 23.
25 is turned on and relay 26 is excited. As a result, the cylinder 12 is operated via the relay contact 26A of the relay 26.

Then, the tilt table 7A is tilted downward by the operation of the cylinder 12 with the hinge 11 on the rear end side serving as a fulcrum. As a result, the shopping basket 8A is tilted so that its opening faces the scanner 2. At this time, shopping basket 8A
Is prevented from slipping by the high resistance stopper 13 provided on the front end side of the tilting table 7A.
Will not slip off 7A.

In this state, the cashier grabs the product 9 in the shopping cart 8A, moves the product 9 obliquely upward toward the reading window 4 of the scanner 2, and then stores it in the empty shopping basket 8B.

When the closing key is pressed in the electronic cash register 1 after the registration work of all the products 9 is completed in this way, a signal based on the operation of the closing key is flip-flopped.
Since it is input to the R terminal of 23, the flip-flop 23 is reset. Then, the "L" level signal is output from the Q output terminal of the flip-flop 23, so that the transistor 25 is turned off and the relay 26 is demagnetized. as a result,
The cylinder 12 is operated via the relay contact 26B of the relay 26.

Then, the tilt table 7A is brought into a horizontal state in which the front end side is returned upward with the hinge 11 on the rear end side as a fulcrum by the operation of the cylinder 12. As a result, the empty shopping basket 8A can be moved from the tilt table 7 in front of the scanner 2 to the position in front of the scanner 2 in a horizontal state.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the shopping cart is placed on the inclined table 7A.
Photosensors 14A and 14B detect that 8A has been moved,
Since the cylinder 12 is operated via the control device 21 so that the tilt table 7A is tilted downward with the rear end side as a fulcrum and the front end side is tilted downward, the opening of the shopping basket 8A on the tilt table 7A is read by the reading window 4. Since the cashier can be tilted to face the direction, the cashier may linearly move the product 9 from the shopping basket 8A toward the reading window 4. In other words, the cashier can move the arm from the bottom to the upper part of the diagonal with the shoulder as the center, so that fatigue can be reduced ergonomically.

At this time, since the cashier does not need to tilt the tilting table 7A, the product can be immediately taken out of the shopping basket 8A without burdening the cashier. Moreover, when the tilting table 7A is tilted, the merchandise 9 in the shopping basket 8A can be easily viewed, so that there is an advantage that the merchandise 9 can be easily grasped so that the barcode surface attached to the merchandise 9 faces the reading window 4.

Further, when the tightening key is operated in the electronic cash register 1 after the completion of the registration work of all the commodities, the cylinder 12 is operated by a signal based on the key, and the tilt table 7A is returned upward with the rear end side as a fulcrum. Since this is done, the empty shopping basket 8A can be immediately passed in front of the scanner 2 and positioned at a predetermined position without imposing a burden on the cashier. Therefore, a smooth flow can be secured even during busy times.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment is shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the operation direction of the cylinder 12 is changed every time the pushing operation is performed.
A foot switch 31 for outputting a signal for switching and operating 12 is provided. In other words, first, foot switch 31
When is pressed, the cylinder 12 is operated in the direction in which the tilt table 7A is tilted, and when the foot switch 31 is pressed next,
Cylinder 12 in the direction that tilt table 7A returns to the horizontal state
Is configured to operate.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the shopping basket 8A is the tilt table 7A.
When the cashier pushes the foot switch 31 when it is moved to the upper position, the cylinder 12 is operated in the direction in which the tilt table 7A tilts. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the merchandise is read from the shopping cart 8A through the reading window 4A. All you have to do is move it linearly in the direction.

When the foot switch 31 is pressed again after all the products are registered, the cylinder 12 is operated in the direction in which the tilting table 7A returns to the horizontal state, so that the shopping basket 8A is the same as in the first embodiment.
Can be moved horizontally.

In each of the above embodiments, the driving means for returning the tilting table 7A to the tilted and horizontal state is constituted by the cylinder 12, but the tilted table 7A is not limited to the cylinder and can be returned to the tilted and horizontal state. Any one will do.

[Advantage of Invention] According to the invention described in the first aspect, since the tilting table can be tilted, the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilting table can be directed toward the reading window. Therefore, since it is only necessary to linearly move the product from the shopping basket toward the reading window, the fatigue of the cashier can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the tilting table can be tilted by the driving means, the opening of the shopping basket placed on the tilting table can be directed toward the reading window. Therefore, since the tilting table can be easily tilted, fatigue of the cashier can be further reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the sensor detects that the shopping cart is placed on the tilt table, and drives the drive means in the tilting direction of the tilt table via the control device, and also performs the checkout work. Based on the end signal, the driving means is operated in the direction in which the tilt table returns to the horizontal state, so that it is possible to immediately take out the product from the shopping basket without burdening the cashier and empty it after the checkout work. You can immediately move the empty shopping cart in a horizontal position.

According to the invention described in the fourth item, since the cashier can return the tilting table to the tilted and horizontal state only by pressing the foot switch, it is possible to smoothly register the product and move the shopping basket horizontally. Will not hurt.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a control device. Is. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6 show a conventional checkout device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view and FIG. 6 is a front view showing a part thereof. 2 ... Scanner, 4 ... Reading window, 7 ... Table, 7A ...
… Tilt table, 12 …… Cylinder (drive means), 14A, 14
B ... Photo sensor, 21 ... Control device, 31 ... Foot switch.

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A scanner having a reading window, and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner while the cart is in a horizontal state, and the products in the shopping cart placed on the table are shown. In a checkout device for performing checkout work while passing in front of a reading window, a portion of the table on the front side in the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner, on which at least one shopping cart is placed,
A checkout device, characterized in that the front end side is tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction of the shopping cart as a fulcrum. 2. A scanner having a reading window, and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner while the cart is in a horizontal state, and the products in the shopping cart placed on the table are In a checkout device for performing checkout work while passing in front of a reading window, a portion of the table on the front side in the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner, on which at least one shopping cart is placed,
The checkout is characterized in that a front end side of the shopping basket is tilted downward with a rear end side as a fulcrum and a driving means for tilting the tilt table and returning to a horizontal state is provided. apparatus. 3. A scanner having a reading window, and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner while the shopping cart is in a horizontal state, and the products in the shopping cart placed on the table are In a checkout device for performing checkout work while passing in front of a reading window, a portion of the table on the front side in the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner, on which at least one shopping cart is placed,
The tilting table is configured so that the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction of the shopping cart as a fulcrum. The tilting table is provided with drive means for tilting and returning to the horizontal state. A sensor for detecting that the tilting table is placed is provided, and when the sensor detects that the shopping cart is placed on the tilting table, the driving means is operated in a direction in which the tilting table is tilted, and checkout is performed. A checkout device comprising a control device for operating the drive means in a direction in which the tilt table returns to a horizontal state based on a work end signal. 4. A scanner having a reading window, and a table on which the shopping cart is movably placed in front of the reading window of the scanner while keeping the shopping cart in a horizontal state, and the products in the shopping cart placed on the table are In a checkout device for performing checkout work while passing in front of a reading window, a portion of the table on the front side in the moving direction of the shopping cart with respect to the scanner, on which at least one shopping cart is placed,
The tilting table is constructed so that the front end side can be tilted downward with the rear end side in the moving direction of the shopping cart as a fulcrum, and a driving means for tilting the tilting table and returning to a horizontal state is provided, and the operating direction of the driving means is different. A checkout device, comprising a foot switch for outputting a signal for switching the driving means in the direction.