JPH0765245A - Single article registering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically register the single-article codes of many kinds of articles that one customer purchases in a short time without troubling an operator. CONSTITUTION:A transmitter which sends a single article code characteristic to each article by radio is fitted to the article and a radio wave reception part 7 receives the radio wave from the transmitter to the article placed in a specific reception area. Further, the transmission of the transmitter whose radio wave is received by the radio wave reception part 7 is stopped. Each time the single article code is obtained from the received radio wave of the radio wave reception part 7, it is checked whether or not the same single article code is already registered in a single article code storage part 24a; when it is confirmed that the same single article code is not stored, the single article code is registered in a cash register and an in-registration flag is set. Then when the radio wave reception by the radio wave reception part 7 is ceased for a specific time, the cash register is commanded to end the registration.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a single item code registration device for registering a single item code attached to a product purchased by a customer in a cash register.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional single item code registration device, an input device such as a keyboard or a bar code scanner has been used. In the case of a keyboard, registration can be performed by inputting a single-piece code preset for each product with the numeral keys or by pressing a preset key in which the single-piece code is preset. In the case of a bar code scanner, it is possible to register each product by converting each product into a bar code and attaching the bar code, and optically reading the bar code with a bar code scanner.

[0003]

However, in the case of a keyboard, the operator must check the individual product codes of each product one by one and operate the keys to input them, and also in the case of a bar code scanner, the operator must select the product. It was necessary to handle each item by hand and read the barcode attached to the item toward the reading section of the scanner. For this reason, the operator's burden is large and only one item can be registered. Therefore, it takes a lot of time to register one customer at a mass retailer such as a supermarket where one customer has a relatively large number of types of products to purchase. And the processing efficiency of accounting work was poor.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically register the individual product codes of many kinds of products purchased by one customer in a short time without bothering the operator, and reduce the burden on the operator and the accounting work. An object of the present invention is to provide a single item code registration device capable of improving processing efficiency.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a single product code unique to the product is attached to each product, and a transmitter attached to a product placed in a predetermined receiving area is used. Radio wave receiving unit that receives the radio wave of, the transmission stopping means that stops the transmission of the transmitter whose radio wave is received by this radio wave receiving unit, and the single item code that stores the single item code obtained from the radio wave received by the radio wave receiving unit The storage unit and the storage unit investigation means for checking whether the same single product code is already stored in the single product code storage unit every time the single product code is obtained from the radio wave received by the radio wave reception unit, and the non-storage of the same single product code is confirmed by this investigation means. A single-item code registration means for registering the single-item code in the cash register, a flag storage section for storing a registration flag which is set when the single-item code is registered by the registration means, and a flag storage section for storing the flag. When the registration flag is set in the storage unit and the reception of the radio wave in the reception unit is interrupted for a predetermined time, the cash register is instructed to complete the registration, and the single code storage unit is cleared and the registration flag is reset. And a termination processing means.

[0006]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, when one customer puts the products to be purchased together in the reception area of the radio wave receiving section, the radio waves transmitted from the transmitters attached to the respective products are received by the radio waves. The parts are sequentially received, and the individual product code of the corresponding product is obtained from the received radio waves. Then, every time a single product code is obtained, it is checked whether or not the same single product code has been stored in the single product code storage unit, and only when it is not stored, the single product code is stored in the single product code storage unit and registered in the cash register. At this time, the registration flag is set.

On the other hand, the transmission from the transmitter, in which the radio wave is received by the radio wave receiving unit, is stopped. Therefore, when the radio waves received from the transmitters of all products placed in the reception area are received by the radio receiver, the transmission from all transmitters is stopped.
The reception of radio waves at the radio wave reception unit is cut off. As a result, the cash register is instructed to end the registration, the single item code storage section is cleared, and the registration flag is reset.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the retail store of the sales system in which the customer himself selects the desired products from the product display shelf, puts them in a basket provided in the store, and then brings them to a checkout counter for payment. The case where the single item code registration device is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a checkout counter in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the checkout counter is the belt conveyor 1
, Accounting table 2, cash register 3 and mounting table 4
Composed of and. The transfer surface 1a of the belt conveyor 1 and the table surface 2a of the accounting table 2 are connected to each other,
The object placed on the belt conveyor 1 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in the figure by the operation of the conveyor and is transferred to the accounting table 2. The belt conveyor 1
Illustration of parts that are not related to the present invention, such as the attachment mechanism, is omitted.

The single product code registration device 5 according to the present invention includes a basket sensor 6 for detecting that a basket is placed on one end of the belt conveyor 1, and a single product code recognizer 7 provided in the middle portion of the belt conveyor 1. including.

The single item code registration device 5 controls driving / stopping of a motor (not shown in FIG. 1) for operating the belt conveyor 1. Furthermore, the single-item code registration device 5 is connected to the cash register 3 by the communication interface cable 8 so that various data can be transmitted from the single-item code registration device 5 to the cash register 3.

The cash register 3 has substantially the same structure as a conventionally known one which inputs a single product code registered by a bar code scanner through an interface, and a sales data registration operation of a product registered by the single product code registration device 5. And to carry out operations related to the exchange of money with customers.

The single-piece code recognizer 7 is a frame 7a mounted so as to cover the intermediate conveying surface of the belt conveyor 6.
A radio wave generator 7b and a radio wave receiver 7c are attached to both inner surfaces of the device so as to face each other. As shown in FIG. 2, a single product code wireless transmission attached to the product 9 carried into the frame 7a by the conveyor 1 The radio wave generator 7b generates a radio wave e1 to the device 10, and the radio wave receiver 7c receives the radio wave e2 generated from the single-code wireless transmitter 10 by this, and constitutes a radio wave receiver. To do. The radio wave receiver 7c sets the inside of the frame 7a as the reception area of the radio wave e2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the single code wireless transmitter 10 generates a power supply voltage for a certain period of time when it receives a radio wave e1 from the outside and supplies it to each unit, and a power supply circuit 11 which supplies the power to the individual parts from the outside. When the radio wave e3 for setting the code is received, the code receiving circuit 12 which obtains the single code from the received radio wave e3 and writes it in the code storage element 13, and the single code written by the code receiving circuit 12 is stable even when the power is not supplied. A code storage element 13 composed of a non-volatile memory for holding, a code transmission circuit 14 for converting a single code stored in the code storage element 13 into a read radio wave e2 and wirelessly transmitting it when power is supplied, and a radio wave e2.
And a collision detection circuit 15 for detecting the collision.

Here, the communication protocol between the single code wireless transmitter 10 and the radio wave receiver 7c is IEEE8023.
According to the 3 standards (CSMA / CD system), the collision detection circuit 1 is used when transmitting the transmission data (header + single product code + stop bit) of the radio wave e2 by the code transmission circuit 14.
At 5, the presence or absence of collision of the radio wave e2 is monitored. Then, if a collision is detected, the temporary transmission is stopped, and the presence or absence of a collision is monitored after a predetermined time (set for each transmitter). If no collision is detected, a radio wave e2 is transmitted from the code transmission circuit 14, The transmission is stopped automatically (transmission stopping means).

The single-piece code written in the code storage element 13 is a 4-digit major classification code 1 as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a 6- and 6-digit date code 17 and a 2-digit minor classification code 18.

Incidentally, the major classification code 16 is a code set for the type of product. The date code 17 is, for example, a code indicating the date of manufacture of the product in 6 digits. The small classification code 18 is a serial number assigned to each product of the same type of product. Therefore, even for the same type of product, the individual product code is different for each individual product.

For example, for 20 pieces of milk belonging to the major classification code 0000 manufactured on August 12, 1993, individual product codes "0000093081201" to "00" are prepared.
"093081220" is set individually. Similarly,
For the same 20 milk products manufactured on August 13, 1993, the individual product code "0000093081301" ~
“0000093081320” is set individually.

Then, each product is sold with the corresponding individual product code radio transmitter 10 in which the corresponding individual product code is set in the code storage element 13. Further, product data such as a product name and a unit price are set corresponding to each individual product code in the cash register 3 or a host computer connected to the line to manage the money register 3.
In the cash register 3, the sales data of the corresponding product is registered for sale by inputting the single item code.

The individual product code can be set in the individual product code radio transmitter 10 by using a code writing device provided with a generator of the radio wave e1 and a generator of the radio wave e3 corresponding to the single product code. That is, 1 is added to the code writing device.
If two single-unit code wireless transmitters 10 are set, first, the radio wave e1 is generated to generate the single-unit code wireless transmitter 10.
Turn on the power. After that, the data of the arbitrary single code is transmitted by the radio wave e3. As a result, the single code transmitted by the radio wave e3 by the action of the code receiving circuit 12 is written in the code storage element 13.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main structure of the single item code registration device 5 and the cash register 3. The single item code registration device 5 has a single item code registration control unit 21 that operates according to a preset program, a basket sensor 6, a radio wave generator 7b of the single item code recognizer 7, a radio wave receiver 7c, and a conveyor that drives the belt conveyor 1. The transmission / reception of data to / from the cash register 3 is controlled through a motor control unit 23 for switching the operation / stop of the motor 22, a data storage unit 24 configured by a RAM (random access memory) and the cable 8. Interface 25
It is configured by connecting each.

The data storage unit 24 is formed with a single product code area 24a serving as a single product code storage unit capable of storing a large number of single product codes and a flag area 24b serving as a flag storage unit storing the registration flag F. ing.

On the other hand, the cash register 3 has a cash register control unit 31, which operates according to a preset program, and a keyboard 32, a display 33, a receipt / journal printer 34, a drawer 35, and product sales data. A data storage unit 36 for storing and an interface 37 for controlling transmission / reception of data to / from the single item code registration device 5 through the cable 8 are connected to each other.

Thus, the single item code registration control section 21
Are programmed to perform the controls shown in the flow chart of FIG. That is, first, ST (step) 1
As a result, the signal from the cage sensor 6 is monitored. When it is confirmed that this signal has changed from the cage-undetected off state to the cage-detected on state, the conveyor control unit 2 determines as ST2.
In contrast to 3, the conveyor motor 2 for the predetermined time required for the basket on the basket sensor 6 to be carried into the single-piece code recognizer 7
Send the ON command to drive 2. Then, after the basket is carried into the single-piece code recognizer 7, the radio wave generator 7b generates the radio wave e1 in ST3 and the timer provided in the control unit is started in ST4.

Thereafter, in ST5, it is determined whether or not the radio wave e2 is received by the radio wave receiver 7c, and if not received, in ST6 it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out.

When the radio wave e2 is received by the radio wave receiver 7c at ST5 before the timer times out at ST6, the same as the single product code is obtained after obtaining the single product code from the received radio wave at ST7. It is checked whether or not the code has already been stored in the single product code area 24a (storage section investigation means).

If not stored, the registering flag F stored in the flag area 24b as ST8 is set to "1".
And the individual product code acquired in ST9 is transmitted to the cash register 3 via the interface 25 to be registered (single product code registration means).

Further, as ST10, the single product code is stored in the single product code area 24a. After that, ST11
Once the timer is cleared, the process returns to ST4 to restart the timer.

As a result of the investigation in ST7, when it is confirmed that the same code as the acquired single product code is already stored in the single product code area 24a, the processes of ST8 to ST10 are not performed, and the process of ST11 is executed. Clear the timer once,
Then, the process returns to ST4 to restart the timer.

In ST5, the radio wave e2 cannot be received, and thus ST6
When it is confirmed that the timer has timed out, the reception of the radio wave e2 is interrupted for the time set by the timer, so that the flag area 24b is checked as ST12. Then, if it is confirmed that the registration flag F is set, since the reception of the radio wave e2 is interrupted for a predetermined time after the registration of the single-piece code, the command signal indicating the end of registration is interfaced at ST13. It transmits to the cash register 3 via 25. Further, as ST14, the stored contents of the single product code area 24a are cleared, and ST1
5, the flag F being registered in the flag area 24b is set to "0".
To reset (registration end processing means).

Thereafter, at ST16, if the ON command for operating the conveyor motor 22 for the predetermined time required for the basket in the single item code recognizer 7 to be carried out to the checkout table 2 is sent to the conveyor control unit 23. , Return to the start of this process.

If it is confirmed that the timer has timed out while the registration flag F is reset, ST1
If the ON command for the conveyor motor 22 is sent in ST16 without performing the processes of 3 to ST15, the process returns to the start.

On the other hand, the cash register control unit 31 is particularly shown in FIG.
The program is set to execute the control shown in the flowchart. That is, first, in ST21, the system waits for a single item code to be input via the interface 37,
When entered, the normal single product sales registration processing such as registration, display, receipt / journal printing, etc. of product sales data is executed based on the single product code. Next, in ST22, it is determined whether or not a registration end command has been input via the interface 37, and if not input, the process returns to ST21 and waits for the next single product code input.

When the input of the registration end command is confirmed in ST22, the display unit 33 displays the product sales data and a message indicating the end of single product registration to notify the operator. After that, as ST23, a key input from the keyboard 32 is awaited.

If the continuation key is operated and input, the single product code registration device 5 continues to register the single product of the same customer, so the process returns to ST21 to wait for the next single product code input.

On the other hand, when a single-item code is keyed in with the registration key, a normal single-item sales registration process is executed for the single-item code, and then the process returns to ST23 to wait for the next key input.

When the closing key is operated and input, one customer's single product registration end is declared, so after the normal registration closing process such as total output, receipt issuance, and change calculation is executed, this process is started. Return to. The receipt / journal printing may be performed collectively after the closing key is input.

In the present embodiment thus constructed, if the customer himself selects the desired products from the product display shelves, puts them in the basket provided in the store, and brings them to the checkout counter, the belt conveyor Put it on the tip of 1. Then, the basket sensor 6 is turned on, the belt conveyor 1 starts operating in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
The basket containing the product is carried into the single-piece code recognizer 7. At this time, the radio wave e1 is transmitted from the radio wave generator 7b of the single-piece code generator 7.

On the other hand, each product is sold with a single product code wireless transmitter 10 in which a single product code set for each individual product is written in the code storage element 13. When the radio wave e1 receives the radio wave e1, the collision detection circuit 15 monitors whether the radio wave e2 collides, and when the radio wave e2 does not collide, the radio code of the single article code stored in the code storage element 13 is transmitted. .

Therefore, when a radio wave e1 is transmitted from the radio wave generator 7b to each product housed in the basket, one of the single product code radio transmitters 10 of each product that has not detected a collision. The wireless radio wave e2 of the single item code is transmitted from, and thereafter the transmission is stopped. Then, another transmitter detects that there is no collision and starts the operation of transmitting the radio wave e2.

In this way, the radio wave e2 is sequentially transmitted from the individual item radio transmitter 10 of each product, and the transmitted radio wave e2 is received by the radio wave receiver 7c. The power generation circuit 1
1 is designed to continuously supply the power supply voltage to each unit for a time sufficient for the radio wave e2 to be received by the radio wave receiver 7c.

On the other hand, in the single item code registration device 5,
When the radio wave receiver 7c receives one of the radio waves e2 transmitted from each individual product code radio transmitter 10, it is checked whether the single product code obtained from the received radio wave is already stored in the single product code area 24a. Then, when it is confirmed that the individual item code is not stored, the individual item code is transmitted to the cash register 3 through the interface 25 and the cable 8 and is also stored in the individual item code area 24a. Further, the registration flag F in the flag area 24b is set to "1".

In the cash register 3, when a single product code is input through the interface 37, a normal single product sales registration process is performed based on the single product code.

Note that the radio wave e2 from the same transmitter 10 may be received by the radio receiver 7c more than once before the transmission stopping function of the single item code radio transmitter 10 operates. Since the single product code is already stored in the single product code area 24a, the single product code of the same product is not transmitted to the cash register 3 in duplicate.

Therefore, the radio waves e2 transmitted from the single-piece code radio transmitters 10 attached to the respective products are sequentially received by the radio receiver 7c, and the single-item codes obtained by the received radio waves are registered without duplication. It is transmitted to the machine 3 and registered.

Further, no collision is detected with respect to the transmission of the radio wave e2, and the radio wave e2 is automatically stopped in the single code wireless transmitter 10 in which the radio wave e2 is received by the radio wave receiver 7c. .

Therefore, all the single code wireless transmitters 10
When the radio wave e2 from the radio wave e2 is received, the radio wave transmission from the all-in-one-unit code radio transmitter 10 is stopped, so that the radio wave reception at the radio wave receiver 7c is interrupted for a predetermined time while the registration flag F is set. It will be.

As a result, a signal for instructing the end of registration is sent from the single item code registration device 5 to the cash register 3, and the display 33 of the cash register 3 displays a message indicating the end of registration together with the sales data of each product. To be done. Further, the belt conveyor 1 restarts the operation in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and the basket is carried out to the accounting table 2 outside the single item code recognizer 7.

Further, the single item code area 24a is cleared and the registration flag F in the flag area 24b is reset to "0". Therefore, when the cage is detected again by the cage sensor 6, the single item code registration device 5 repeats the above operation.

Therefore, the operator of the cash register 3 compares the display contents of the merchandise sales data with the merchandise placed in the basket. If there is a registration omission, the registration key is operated to perform additional registration.

In addition, when the same customer separately brings two commodities desired to be purchased, after pressing the continuation key,
Ask the rest of the basket to be placed on the tip of the belt conveyor 1.
By doing so, the individual item code of each product in the basket is automatically registered by wireless communication in the same manner as described above.

In this way, when the single product registration of all the products purchased by one customer is completed, the operator may press the closing key.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the single item code of the purchased product put in the basket by the shopper can be collectively collected by wireless communication without the operator's hand.
Therefore, the burden on the operator can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional method in which each item is manually registered. Also, the more registration points there are, the significantly shorter the time required for registration, so the processing efficiency of accounting work can be improved. For example, it can be applied to mass retailers such as supermarkets where one customer has a relatively large variety of products. If it does, the effect will be great.

In the above embodiment, the basket containing the products is automatically carried into the single product code recognizer 7 by the belt conveyor 1, and when the registration of the single product codes of all products is completed, the basket is automatically carried out to the accounting table 2. However, the transfer means by the belt conveyor 1 is not always necessary, and the basket may be manually loaded / unloaded to / from the single item code recognizer 7.

In the above embodiment, the single-piece code wireless transmitter 10 detects the absence of collision and transmits the radio wave e2 and then automatically stops the transmission.
When the ACK response (using the radio wave e3) is received from the receiver 7c that has received, the transmission of the radio wave e2 may be stopped. By doing so, the radio wave e2 can be reliably received on the registration device side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the single item code registration device 5 is provided outside the cash register 3 and both are connected by the interface, but the function of the single item code registration device 5 may be incorporated in the cash register 3. Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0057]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, 1
Single item code registration for many types of products purchased by customers can be automatically and quickly registered without bothering the operator, reducing the burden on the operator and improving the processing efficiency of accounting work. A device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a single-piece code wireless transmitter and a single-piece code recognizer attached to each product in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a single-code wireless transmitter according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data format of a single product code used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing essential parts of a single item code registration device and a cash registration device in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing main program control of a single item code registration control unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main program control of the cash register control unit in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Belt conveyor 2 ... Accounting table 3 ... Money registration machine 5 ... Single product code registration device 6 ... Basket sensor 7 ... Single product code recognizer (radio wave receiving unit) 10 ... Single product code wireless transmitter 24a ... Single product code area (single product code storage) Part) 24b ... Flag area (flag storage part)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A radio wave receiver for each product, which is equipped with a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a single product code unique to the product, and which receives radio waves from the transmitter attached to the product placed in a predetermined reception area. Section, a transmission stopping means for stopping transmission of the transmitter when a radio wave is received by the radio wave receiving section, a single product code storing section for storing a single product code obtained from the radio wave received by the radio wave receiving section, Whenever the same product code is stored in the single product code storage unit each time the single product code is obtained from the radio wave received by the radio wave reception unit, a storage unit investigation means and the non-storage of the same single product code by this investigation means A single-item code registration means for registering a code in a cash register, a flag storage section for storing a registration flag that is set when the single-item code is registered by the registration means, and this flag. When the registration flag is set in the storage unit and the reception of radio waves by the radio reception unit is interrupted for a predetermined time, the cash register is instructed to end registration and the unit code storage unit is cleared and the registration is in progress. A single-item code registration device comprising: a registration end processing means for resetting a flag.