JPH0776995B2 - Automatic cash register system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic cash register system for mass retailers and large stores.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in mass-market stores and large-scale stores including supermarkets, discount stores, etc., a shopper can arbitrarily select a product from a product shelf in the store as needed and store it in a shopping cart. Or you can put it in a hand-held shopping basket and carry it to the payment point (cash register) where the clerk calculates the payment and pay it.

In calculating the payment amount at the cash register, the clerk in charge reads a bar code attached to each product with a scanner for all the products carried in by a shopping cart or a hand-held shopping basket.
The payment price is automatically calculated and displayed on the display, and based on the display, money is exchanged between the customer and the store clerk to pay the shopping price, while it is displayed on the barcode and read by the scanner. It is general that various kinds of information are wirelessly or wired transmitted to a master computer or the like installed in an office or the like.

[0004]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional system, the shop assistant scans each of the products purchased by the shopper, and the cash is exchanged between the customer and the shopkeeper. Since it has to be done, it requires a lot of trouble and labor cost. In addition, at the cash register, only the products brought into the shopping cart or hand-held shopping basket are scanned, so it is difficult to check at the cash register unless you find the shop floor. In addition, it is difficult to check fraudulent behavior at cash registers, which is becoming a problem overseas, so it is necessary to constantly monitor both the sales floor and the cash register by some method, and it requires a large number of personnel and costs for crime prevention. is doing.

The present invention has been made in view of the present situation, and an object of the present invention is to significantly reduce labor costs by saving labor in mass-market stores including supermarkets, discount stores, and large stores. In addition to eliminating shoplifting and cashier fraud.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the automatic cash register system of the present invention comprises: a. A bar code which is attached to each of all the products in the store and which displays necessary information including at least the price of the product, and which is itself demagnetized; b. A large number of magnetic cards each of which stores a code number, which is a card obliging a visitor to carry it; and c. A scanner that is fixedly installed at a plurality of points in the store and is obliged to use for customers, and is turned on by inserting a card into a card insertion part provided in the main body and turned off by removing the card. A code reading means for reading the code number of the card, a bar code reading means for reading the information displayed by the bar code, a transmitting means for transmitting the read information and the code number of the card, and erasing the magnetism of the read bar code. A scanner having a degaussing means for d. A storage unit that is provided separately from the scanner and that has a receiving unit that receives a code number transmitted from the scanner and information associated with the code number; and a storage unit that inputs and stores the received code number and product information associated therewith, e. A one-way aisle-shaped register gate that leads from the sales floor space to the payment point in the store; f. Magnetic detection means provided in the register for generating a detection signal when detecting magnetism; g. An indicator provided at a cash register between the magnetic detection means and the payment place, and displaying a rescanning request by generation of a detection signal of the magnetic detection means, h. A door which is provided between the magnetic means of the cash register and the payment place, and which is closed by generation of a detection signal of the magnetic detection means; i. An information calling means disposed at a payment place provided behind the door of the cash register, and calling the stored information associated with the code number of the card from the storage means by inserting the card into the card insertion slot provided in the main body The system is composed of a calculation means for calculating the payment price based on the called information, a payment price indicator for displaying the calculated payment price, and a register equipped with a printer for printing a receipt.

Further, in the above automatic cash register system, the code number of the card is inserted from the storage means by inserting the card into the card insertion slot provided in the main body instead of the register at the payment place behind the door of the cash register. Information calling means for calling the stored information associated with, a calculation means for calculating the payment price based on the called information, a payment price indicator for displaying the calculated payment price,
Install a printer that prints receipts, a payment unit, an automatic cash dispenser equipped with a comparison means for comparing the calculated payment amount with the actual payment amount and confirming that the required amount has been paid. It is also possible to provide a second door that opens after the payment of the payment is completed, behind the automatic cash dispenser installation section.

[0008]

[Operation] Automatic cash register with the above configuration
In the system, the shopper scans all the products that he / she bought, and then brings the products to the payment place, so that he / she should bring the unscanned products to the payment place. Even if you try to do this, the magnetic detection means will detect and display the magnetism of the barcode attached to the product, and unless all products have been scanned, the door to the payment gate of the cash register will open. Absent.

Further, at the payment counter, the register calls the information read by the scanner from the bar code and stored in the storage means and automatically displays the payment, so that the clerk only gives and receives the payment. I'll do it.

If an automatic cash dispenser is installed in place of the cash register, the cash register is completely automated, and the shopper exchanges the payment price with the automatic cash dispenser. Unless the payment is completed, the payment is made. The exit door does not open.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the system of the present invention, first, a bar code B is attached to all the products A in the store, and a plurality of scanners C for reading the bar code B are fixed at a plurality of places in the store, for example, at each sales floor. The scanner is installed, and the master computer K that installs the scanner in an office or the like is contacted by wire or wirelessly.

In the store, a one-way passage-like cashier gate F leading from the sales floor space D to a payment place (hereinafter referred to as a cash register E) is set up for each cash register E, and a visitor pays the cash at the cash register E. I have to go through this registration gate F for

The bar code B is a conventionally well-known one in which a 13-digit number for displaying necessary information is represented by the thickness of the bar, and the information includes at least the type and price of the product. is necessary. In the present invention, the barcode B is magnetized.

On the other hand, the scanner C illuminates the bar code B with the type of the product A displayed by the bar code B,
The master computer K is provided with a conventionally well-known bar code reading means c1 for reading information such as price, degaussing means c2 for erasing the magnetism of the bar code after reading, and information read by the bar code reading means c1. It is provided with a transmitting means c6 for transmitting, and obliges the customer to scan the bar code B attached to the product A with the scanner C by himself / herself with respect to the product A to be purchased.

Therefore, when the shopper purchases the product A, the scanner C scans the barcode B of the product A to read the product information including the price each time, and the information is read by the master computer K.
Send to. Further, the barcode B attached to the product A is demagnetized by the scanning by the scanner C, so that the scanning cannot be performed again.

In this embodiment, information transmission between the scanner C and the master computer K is carried out wirelessly via the communication converters c5 and k1 attached to both sides, and the master computer K is transmitted from the scanner C. Information is input to the information receiving means k2 via the communication converter k1 and stored in the storage means k3.

In the present invention, as described above, the scanners C are provided at a plurality of places in the store, and one scanner C is inevitably used by a plurality of visitors, so
It is necessary to identify the customer who used the storage and storage of information and the recall of storage information.

Therefore, in the present invention, the means for identifying a customer is a magnetic card L storing a code number to be passed to the customer at the entrance of the store, and the magnetic card insertion port c10, j20 are provided, and the operation is started when the magnetic card L is inserted, and the operation is stopped when the magnetic card L is pulled out.

Further, the scanner C is read by the code number reading means c11 and the code number reading means c11 for reading the code number of the inserted card L in addition to the bar code reading means c1, the demagnetizing means c2, and the transmitting means c6. The code number is provided with a signal synthesizing means c12 for synthesizing the information of the product A read by the bar code reading means c1 into one signal, and the transmitting means c6 converts the signal synthesized by the signal synthesizing means c12 for communication. It is adapted to be transmitted via the device c5.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the register gates F is provided with a door f3, which is opened in front of the register E and controlled by the opening / closing control means f4 to electrically open and close.
On the front side of 3, the intrusion detection means f5 for detecting the intrusion of the shopper into the gate F, the magnetic detection means f1 for detecting the presence of magnetism, and the display f2 are provided.

The intrusion detecting means f5 is composed of, for example, a photoelectric sensor or the like, and generates a detection signal when detecting intrusion of a shopper into the cash register F. The magnetic detection means f1 is composed of, for example, a magnetic sensor such as a Hall element,
When the magnetism inside is detected, a detection signal is generated. In this embodiment, the magnetic detection means f1 is provided with a switch f6 that communicates with the intrusion detection means f5, and is configured to be in an ON state, that is, a detectable state when a detection signal of the intrusion detection means f5 is generated. The inside may be always in a detectable state.

Further, the display device f2 is a conventionally well-known display device for visually displaying necessary items by, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc., and a first display for requesting rescanning is issued by a command of the display control means f7. Alternatively, either of the second displays for requesting to proceed to the cashier E is selectively displayed.

The intrusion detecting means f5 and the magnetic detecting means f
The detection signal of 1 is the display control means f7 and the opening / closing control means f.
4 and the display control means f7 inputs detection signals from both the intrusion detection means f5 and the magnetic detection means f1, the display f2 displays the first display, and the intrusion detection means f
Only the detection signal of No. 5 is input, and when the detection signal from the magnetic detection unit f1 is not input, the display f2 is controlled to display the second display.

The opening / closing control means f4 is an intrusion detection means f.
5 is input, but the detection signal from the magnetic detection means f1 is not input, the door is opened, and the detection signals from both the intrusion detection means f5 and the magnetic detection means f1 are input, and the intrusion detection is performed. When there is no detection signal input from the means f5, the opening / closing of the door f3 is controlled so as to maintain the closed state. These display control means f7 and opening / closing control means f4
Are deployed at appropriate locations near or at the cash register F.

Further, a rescanning scanner (not shown) is installed in the register gate F. this,
The rescanning scanner has basically the same configuration as the scanner C installed in the sales floor, and is equipped with a bar code reading means, a demagnetizing means, a code number reading means, a signal synthesizing means, a transmitting means, etc. The operation is started by inserting the magnetic card L.

At this register F, a shopper who has selected the necessary product A enters the product A and is detected by the intrusion detection means f5, and the detection signal is the magnetic detection means f1. The switch f6 is operated to bring the magnetic detection means f1 into a detectable state and the opening / closing control means f
4 is input to the display control means f7.

At this time, if all the products A put in the shopping cart or the like and brought into the cash register F are scanned, the bar code B of each product A is displayed.
Since the magnetism of is completely degaussed by scanning,
Since the magnetism detection means f1 does not detect magnetism and the opening / closing control means f4 and the display control means f7 do not receive a magnetic detection signal, the opening / closing control means f4 opens the door f3 and the display control means f7 displays. The device f2 is controlled to display the second display requesting to proceed to the cash register E.

On the other hand, when there is a product that has not been scanned among the products A in the shopping cart or the like, the bar code B attached to the product A is not demagnetized, so that the magnetic detection means f1 detects the magnetism. And outputs a detection signal to the opening / closing control means f4 and the display control means f7, the opening / closing control means f4 holds the door f3 in the closed state, and the display control means f7 requests the rescanning of the display f2. The display is controlled to 1. If the shopper puts the unscanned product A in the pocket or the like and enters the cash register F, the same result as the above case is obtained.

Therefore, the shopper will perform rescanning according to the instruction of the display device f2, but in order to facilitate this rescanning work, it is preferable to install a flip-up type table in the gate F. desirable.
Also, in this rescanning, if scanning is performed again for a product that has already been scanned, information will be stored twice for the same product. Only need to be scanned.

In order to find a product that has not been scanned, a second magnetic detection means is provided near the table, and a second display device for displaying the fact when the second magnetic detection means detects magnetism. It is convenient if you are equipped with the so that you can search for products that have magnetic properties. Of course, it is optional to install a board or the like for explaining the procedure for rescanning near the table. Further, the second magnetic detection means for the rescanning should not have a wide detection range, and it is desirable that the detection range be only a very limited range near the sensor.

For the rescanning, a rescanning scanner installed in the regigate F is used. After the card L is inserted into the rescanning scanner, the unscanned product A is scanned. The information of the product A obtained by this rescanning is also stored in the master computer K together with the code number of the card L. Upon completion of the rescanning, the magnetic detection by the magnetic detection means f1 is stopped, a second display is displayed on the display f2 to support the progress to the register E, and the door f3 is opened. With this opening, the shopper proceeds to the cashier E.

It should be noted that the display on the display f2 is not limited to visual display, and it is also possible to adopt voice display, and the intrusion detection means f5 is not limited to the photoelectric sensor. There is no end.

An automatic cash dispenser J is installed in the cash register E, and a second door e2 whose opening and closing is controlled by a second opening / closing control means e1 is installed behind the automatic cash dispenser J. There is.

The above-mentioned automatic cash dispenser J is basically the same as a conventionally well-known one currently installed in a bank or the like and the amount calculated and displayed on the payment price indicator j3 and the payment unit j5.
It has the function of confirming that the amount displayed on the payment price indicator j3 has been paid by comparing it with the cash inserted into the card and issuing the change if necessary.
The code number reading means j12 for reading the code number of the card L inserted in 20 and the transfer of the information stored and accumulated regarding the code number read by the code number reading means j12 from the master computer K via the communication converter j7. Information calling means j1, storage means j8 for inputting and storing the information called by the information calling means j1, calculation means j2 for calculating the payment amount based on the above input information, and payment amount display of the amount calculated by the calculation means j2 A display control means j9 for controlling the display on the container j3, a printer j4 for printing out a receipt, a confirmation signal generating means j10, and a comparison means j6 for the payment unit j.
It is configured to output a payment confirmation signal when it is confirmed that the required amount has been paid by comparing the amount of money that has been put in 5 and read by the input amount reading means j11 with the amount of money calculated by the calculating means j2. ing.

The payment confirmation signal is input to the second opening / closing control means e1. The second opening / closing control means e1 opens the second door e2 when the payment confirmation signal is input, and closes otherwise. Is configured to.

At this cash register E, when the shopper inserts the card L into the card insertion slot j20 of the automatic cash dispenser J, the stored data relating to the code number of the card L stored and stored in the master computer K is stored in both sides. Transferred via the communication converters k1 and j7 of the automatic cash dispenser J
Is stored in the storage means j8 and the payment amount is calculated and displayed on the payment price display device j3. Therefore, based on the display of the payment price display device j3, the shopper pays the payment amount j5 of the automatic cash payment device J. The required cash will be put in.

Then, the automatic cash dispenser J confirms whether or not the required amount has been paid and issues a change if necessary, and at the same time generates a payment confirmation signal to the second opening / closing control means e1.

When the second opening / closing control means e1 inputs the above signal, the second door e2 is opened, so that the shopper can purchase the product A.
You can take it out of the cash register F and move it to a packing stand or the like. The payment of the payment is not limited to cash, but it is of course possible to use a card. Since the structure for enabling payment by this card is already known, its explanation is omitted. on the other hand,
The card L is automatically collected by being inserted into the automatic cash dispenser J.

Thus, the cash register of the present invention having such a configuration
According to the system, customers can enter the magnetic card L at the entrance of the store.
Upon receipt of the card L, the user carries the card L for shopping, inserts the card L into the scanner C provided at each sales floor, and scans the product A to be purchased by himself. As a result, the information including the price of each purchased product A is stored in the master computer K together with the code number of the card L.
The shopper who has selected the required product A enters the cash register F with the product A.

Here, it is checked by the magnetic detection means f1 whether or not the unscanned product A is brought in. When there is no unscanned product A, the door f3 for partitioning with the cashier E is opened, and the process proceeds to the cashier E. If there is an unscanned product A, the card L is inserted into the rescanning scanner, and then the product A is scanned. The information of the product A obtained by this rescanning is also stored in the master computer K together with the code number of the card L.

When the shopper who has proceeded to the cash register E inserts the card into the automatic cash dispenser J, the accumulated data relating to the code number of the card is called from the master computer K to the automatic cash dispenser J, and the payment amount is paid. Amount display j
Since it is displayed in 3, the corresponding amount of cash is put into the automatic cash dispenser J or a cash card is inserted to make payment.

When the automatic cash dispenser J confirms the payment, the second door e2 opens, so that the shopper carries the merchandise and moves to a packing stand or the like.

Regarding returns, a return table is installed at the cashier E entrance, a return scanner operated by an employee is installed in the table, and the master computer stores the read information into the storage means. This can be dealt with by configuring the corresponding information to be deleted from the stored information. The returned merchandise will be placed on the merchandise shelf again with a new magnetic flux bar code.

The embodiment described above (referred to as the first embodiment)
In this, everything from the scanning of purchased products to the payment of the price is automated and the cash register E is completely unmanned, but it is also optional that only the transfer of money for the payment of payment is done manually. Is. The embodiment (referred to as the second embodiment) will be described below.

The second embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment only in the register gate F, especially in the register E after the door f3, and the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, a register G is installed behind the door f3 of the cash register F, that is, at the cash register E, instead of the automatic cash dispenser J, and corresponds to the second door e2 in the first embodiment. Omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the register G is provided with an information calling means g1, a storage means g2, a calculating means g3, a display control means g4, a payment price display g5, etc., and is connected to a card insertion slot g8 provided in the main body. By inserting the card L, the information calling means g1 calls the information stored and accumulated from the master computer K via the communication converter g6, and the storage means g2.
In addition, the calculation means g3 calculates the total amount of payment and displays the payment on the payment indicator g5 via the display control means g4. Further, the register G includes a printer g7, and prints out a receipt based on the information called from the master computer K.

Therefore, in this embodiment, if the shopper who has passed through the cash register F and proceeds to the cash register E inserts the card L into the card insertion slot g8 of the register G, the register G pays the money associated with the card L. Since the receipt is printed out by the printer g7 at the same time when the amount of money is displayed on the payment price indicator g5, the shopper pays the amount of money indicated on the payment price indicator g5 to the clerk at the cashier E and exits the cashier E. It moves to a packing stand (not shown) or the like, packs the product A, and exits the store.

In FIG. 5, f8 is a flip-up table provided for rescanning, f9 is second magnetic detection means for rescanning, and f10 is second magnetic detection means f9 detects magnetism. Then, it is the second indicator that displays that fact.

[0049]

[Effect] Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. In the automatic cash register system according to claim 1, the shopper scans the barcode attached to the product by himself / herself and stores the information in the storage unit,
Since the cashier calls the above information to the register and displays the payment on the display of the register, the clerk only has to give and receive the payment, and the cashier does not need to perform the scanning work, and the cashier is labor-saving. It

Further, the bar code is magnetized, and the magnetic force is demagnetized by scanning with a scanner, and a registration gate leading to a cash register is provided, and a means for detecting magnetism is provided at the gate to bring an unscanned product. I decided not to go to the cash register,
Despite letting the shopper do the scanning work, information about that product is recorded for all the products brought to the cash register,
By accurately calculating the price, it is possible to prevent the product from being taken out illegally and also prevent fraud such as cheating the shopping price due to the conspiracy of customers and cashier clerk, which is becoming a problem overseas in particular. it can.

Further, since a card having a code number stored therein is carried by a visitor and the information of the scanned product is stored and called together with the code number of the card, one scanner can be used for a plurality of shopping. Even if the system is used by customers in common and the reading information of all the scanners is stored in one storage means, it is possible to reliably identify the customer who purchased each product purchased, and the product purchased for each customer Accurate storage and storage of information about and recall of stored information. Therefore, the payment amount at the cash register is accurately calculated for each visitor, and there is no fear of troubles related to payment of the purchase price.

According to the automatic cash register system of claim 2, the cash register and the door that does not open until the required amount of money is paid by the cash dispenser are arranged at the cash register. In addition to the above-mentioned effects of the automatic cash register system, the cash register can be completely automated by making the cash register unattended, and the cash register can be further labor-saving and the labor cost can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the entire configuration of an automatic cash register system showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a cash register.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of a register gate.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a main part (register) showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an entire configuration of the invention of claim 2; A product B barcode C scanner D sales floor space E payment place F cash register G register J automatic cash dispenser K master computer L magnetic card c1 bar code reading means c2 degaussing means c6
Sending means c11 Code number reading means e2 Second door f1
Magnetic detection means f2 Display f3 Door g1 Information calling means
g3 calculation means g5 payment indicator g7 printer k2
Information receiving means k3 Storage means j1 Information calling means j2 Calculation means j3 Payment price indicator j4 Printer j5
Payment unit j6 Comparison means k3 Storage means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A. A bar code which is attached to each of all the products in the store and which displays necessary information including at least the price of the product, and which is itself demagnetized; b. A large number of magnetic cards each of which stores a code number, which is a card obliging a visitor to carry it; and c. A scanner that is fixedly installed at a plurality of points in the store and is obliged to use for customers, and is turned on by inserting a card into a card insertion part provided in the main body and turned off by removing the card. A code reading means for reading the code number of the card, a bar code reading means for reading the information displayed by the bar code, a transmitting means for transmitting the read information and the code number of the card, and erasing the magnetism of the read bar code. A scanner having a degaussing means for d. A storage unit that is provided separately from the scanner and that has a receiving unit that receives a code number transmitted from the scanner and information associated with the code number; and a storage unit that inputs and stores the received code number and product information associated therewith, e. A one-way aisle-shaped register gate that leads from the sales floor space to the payment point in the store; f. Magnetic detection means provided in the register for generating a detection signal when detecting magnetism; g. An indicator provided at a cash register between the magnetic detection means and the payment place, and displaying a rescanning request by generation of a detection signal of the magnetic detection means, h. A door which is provided between the magnetic means of the cash register and the payment place, and which is closed by generation of a detection signal of the magnetic detection means; i. An information calling means arranged at a payment place provided on the rear side of the door of the cash register to call the stored information associated with the code number of the card from the storage means by inserting the card into the card insertion slot provided in the main body An automatic cash register, comprising: a calculating unit that calculates a payment amount based on the called information; a payment amount indicator that displays the calculated payment amount; and a register that has a printer that prints out a receipt. system. 2. The automatic cash register system according to claim 1, wherein instead of a register provided behind the door of the cash register, a card is inserted into a card insertion slot provided in the main body from the storage means. Information calling means for calling stored information associated with the code number of the card, calculation means for calculating the payment amount based on the called information, payment amount indicator for displaying the calculated payment amount,
Install a printer that prints receipts, a payment unit, an automatic cash dispenser equipped with a comparison means for comparing the calculated payment amount with the actual payment amount and confirming that the required amount has been paid. A second door that opens after the payment of the payment is completed is installed behind the automatic cash dispenser installation section.
Cash register system.