JPH10228586A - Electronic cash register - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a customer from uselessly hearing an alarm tone during register working, to suppress giving customer an unpleasant feeling and to improve serviceability. SOLUTION: What is directional and what is non-directional are prepared as a sounding source, and a directional sounding source 6 is arranged so that a sound propagation area may come toward an operator who operates the electronic cash register. When the generation of an alarm tone is needed, and when it occurs during an normal registering operation and a registration operation, a directional sounding source is used. When an operator temporarily leaves her seat, a non-directional sounding source is used so that the operator who leaves her seat can easily hear it and a controlling means 1 controls that an alarm tone is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic cash register in which a warning sound generated due to an erroneous operation while handling a customer is not unnecessarily heard by the customer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic cash register, one of output devices is provided with a sound source such as a buzzer or a speaker, and when a cashier (cashier) who is an operator of the electronic cash register makes an error in operation, for example. In order to notify this, a warning sound is generated.

The warning sound includes an operation error sound due to an operation error of a keyboard or the like, a device error sound generated in a state of no paper, a cover open state, a state where a line is disconnected, an emergency message sound, and the like. Sound is output from either a small buzzer on the main board (speaker on the main board) or a buzzer with a built-in keyboard (speaker with a built-in keyboard).

[0004] This warning sound is originally for the purpose of notifying the operator, but it can be naturally heard by a customer who is in the process of paying a cash register or a customer who is waiting for a cash register clearing.

[0005] This is very unpleasant for the customer.

[0006]

As described above, conventionally, the electronic cash register system is provided with a sound source in order to notify the operator of various warnings, and generates a warning sound from the sound source when necessary. However,
Since the sound generated from this sound source can be heard all around the main body, it reaches customers other than the operator. And this sound is only annoying for customers.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to:
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic cash register which makes it difficult for a customer to hear a warning sound generated during the checkout of a customer's cash register, thereby eliminating discomfort to the customer.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. That is, it has a key switch for switching between operation modes such as pause, registration, and normal operation, and has a sound source having no directivity, so that a warning sound can be generated using this sound source. The electronic cash register includes a sound source having directivity toward the operator side, and control means for switching the output of a warning sound by a key switch. The warning sound has directivity at least in a mode during customer handling. It is characterized in that it is configured to output at the source. Further, in an electronic cash register having a sound source having no directivity and capable of generating a warning sound using this sound source, a directional sound source having directivity toward an operator side is provided. A sensor for detecting the presence of an operator is provided. When the sensor detects the presence of the operator, a directional sound source is used for generating a warning sound, and the other sound sources have no directivity. A means for controlling the source to be used for generating a warning sound is provided.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, an omnidirectional sound source and a directional sound source are prepared, and the directional sound source is mainly provided to an operator who operates the electronic cash register. So that the sound propagation area comes,
When it is necessary to generate a warning sound, use a directional sound source during normal cashier work or registration work, and leave the seat when the operator temporarily leaves. An omnidirectional sound source is used so as to be easily heard by an operator, and is used to generate a warning sound. Accordingly, during the cashier handling, the customer does not need to hear the warning sound unnecessarily, and it is possible to prevent the customer from feeling uncomfortable and improve the serviceability.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a directional sound source (directional speaker) arranged toward an operation position of an operator in an electronic cash register having a warning sound function.
Warning sound such as an operation error sound, a device error sound, and an emergency message sound during customer service is generated from the directional speaker.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an electronic cash register according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a CPU (processor), 2 is RO
M, 3 a RAM, 4 an input unit, 5 a non-directional speaker (omnidirectional sound source), 6 a directional speaker (directional sound source), 7 a display unit, 8 a transmission interface, 9 a power supply And 10, an external storage unit, and 11 a printing unit.

Of these, the CPU 1 is the center of control of the entire system, and in addition to controlling the system, is responsible for various operations and processes for realizing the function as a cash register. .

When it is necessary to generate a warning sound, the CPU 1 generates a warning sound from any of a plurality of sound sources according to the state of a key switch and the state of a switching flag, which will be described later. It has a function of deciding whether to make it sound and generating a warning sound from the determined sound source.

The ROM 2 is a memory portion storing programs for various controls and calculations to be performed by the CPU 1, and the RAM portion 3 is a memory used for a work area of the programs and various tables.

The input unit 4 is a keyboard including various function keys (function keys) and numeric keys required as a cash register, a scanner for reading bar codes attached to products, and the like. The keyboard is provided with a non-directional speaker (or a buzzer) which is a conventional sound source. Further, the directional speaker 6 is a sound source for notifying the warning sound to the operator only so as to be heard.

The keyboard has a compulsory switching key for an operator to instruct whether to generate a warning sound from the directional speaker 6 or from a non-directional sound source (main unit or a buzzer of the keyboard). Then, in response to the operation of the forced switching key, the CPU 1 turns on or off a switching flag which is a flag for determining the mode of the forced switching.

The display unit 7 is a display for displaying the contents of cash register operation, displaying subtotals and totals, displaying registered contents, and displaying necessary information when contents are changed or updated. It is.

The transmission interface 8 is an interface for performing data communication with a host system or the like connected via a network or the like. The power supply unit 9
Is a power supply unit for supplying various system power supplies of the electronic cash register, and the external storage unit 10 is a large-capacity external storage device for storing various data including sales data and the like, and a magnetic tape storage device. And a hard disk drive and a magneto-optical storage device. Printing unit 11
Reference numeral denotes a printer unit for obtaining a receipt issued to a customer and a print output as a copy of a store.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the direction and range in which a warning sound is generated when an electronic cash register having a directional speaker 6 which is a major feature of the present system generates a warning sound. In this system, the directional speaker 6 is provided on the front side of the electronic cash register body 20. The front side is the operator, that is, the employee side, and when operating the cash register 20, the operator is located on the front side. The back side of the electronic cash register main body 20 is a customer side, and the customer enters a counter (work table) 21 on which the electronic cash register main body 20 is placed from a customer side (customer side) passage, and is equipped with a store in which purchased goods are put. The operator (cashier) enters products of the shopping basket one by one using a scanner or a keyboard to obtain a total shopping amount for each customer.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the directional speaker 6 has a directivity in a narrow area of, for example, about 5 to 10 degrees around the sound source. Is installed so as to be on the employee side, an operation error sound due to an operation error of the electronic cash register body 20, a device error sound such as a paper out warning sound of a receipt paper or a cover open,
When an emergency message sound or the like is generated by the directional speaker 6, due to the directivity of the directional speaker 6, no sound leaks to an area outside the range of the directivity. Only you will hear.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a direction and a range in which a sound can be heard when a warning sound is generated by a buzzer which is a conventional sound source. In the case of a normal buzzer, since there is no directivity at all, it can be seen that sound propagates in all directions around the sound source, and a warning sound reaches not only the operator but also surrounding customers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the electronic cash register 20, as viewed from the front.

In the figure, 7 is a display unit, 11 is a printing unit,
An input unit 4 is a keyboard part. Reference numeral 6 denotes a directional speaker, which is an electronic cash register body 20.
, In this case, on the left side of the front, above the drawer (money storage box).

Next, the operation of the present apparatus having the above configuration will be described. In the present apparatus, in addition to the function which should be originally possessed as the cash register, two types of sound sources having directivity and non-directivity, which are features of the present invention, are prepared.
When it is necessary to generate a warning sound, a warning sound is generated using one of the sound sources depending on the situation.

The details of the present invention will be described focusing on this point.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sound source switching process, which will be described with reference to this flowchart.

In this system, in a warning sound output scene,
According to the flowchart of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 2, a designation (directivity mode) for generating a warning sound (error sound) with directivity so that only the operator can hear the sound, and focusing on the electronic cash register as shown in FIG. , All directions (360
It is determined which of the designations (omnidirectional mode) for generating a warning sound so that the sound can be heard at (degree), and the warning sound is generated in the determined mode.

First, when an alarm sound output scene comes, the CPU 1
Enters a warning sound process, and as a process here, first, it is determined whether the electronic cash register 20 is in a resting state or an operating state.

The electronic cash register main body 20 is provided with a key switch so that anyone other than those involved can uselessly operate it. The selectable modes of the key switch include “pause”, “registration”, and “setting”. Among them, “pause” is used when the operator is temporarily leaving the place, for example. This mode is set to disable operation when it is necessary to temporarily leave the cash register for some reason.
The “setting” is a mode for setting and registering a product name, a code, a unit price, and the like in a lookup table, and the like.
“Registration” is a mode for a general cash register operation for registering sales of a purchased product of a customer, counting, and the like.

By operating the key switch, such various modes can be selected and used. When the key switch is set to the rest position (in the "pause" mode), the power is turned on. However, the operation and input from the input unit 4 are not accepted. However, the function of generating a warning sound is operating, and the warning sound can be generated from the sound source as needed.

Normally, during the "pause" (in the "pause" mode), the operator may not be within the warning sound directing range, so that the warning sound output destination of the subsequent electronic cash register is the omnidirectional sound source. The CPU 1 turns off the compulsory switching flag so as to be a certain internal buzzer or a keyboard buzzer, and makes the generated warning sound in the range of FIG. That is, the CPU 1 manages the directivity mode and the non-directional mode by the forced switching flag, and this flag is arranged, for example, at a specific address of the RAM unit 3. Then, based on the state of the flag, it is determined whether the mode is the omnidirectional mode or the directional mode, a sound source corresponding to the mode is selected, and a warning sound is generated from the selected sound source. I do.

Therefore, the CPU 1 checks whether the key switch is in the "pause" mode. If the key switch is "pause", the CPU 1 turns off the compulsory switching flag and generates a warning sound from the buzzer of the main body or the keyboard (omnidirectionality). Warning sound output from speaker). If the key switch is not "pause", the forced switch flag is turned on, and a warning sound is generated from the directional speaker.

If the key switch has been switched to the "registration" mode, the operator is performing the registration operation, so that the warning sound is emitted from the directional speaker so that the warning sound can be heard only by the operator. Is "Register"
If not, a warning sound is generated from the omnidirectional speaker.

The above is the outline of the warning sound processing.

The switching flag can be set not only by operating the key switch but also by operating the keyboard. That is, the keyboard 4 generates a warning sound from an omnidirectional speaker (buzzer) or a directional speaker 6.
When a forced switch key (speaker switch key) for selecting and setting whether to generate the switch is provided, a switch flag setting process based on the operation of this key by the operator is performed, for example, as shown in FIG.
This is performed as shown in FIG. The CPU 1 periodically monitors whether a forced switching key (speaker switching key) is operated,
When the forced switching key (speaker switching key) is turned on, the forced switching flag is turned on. Then, the process is completed. When the forced switching key (speaker switching key) is turned off, the forced switching flag is turned off, and the process is completed. If the forcible switching key is neither turned on nor turned off, the process is completed.

As described above, the state set by the key operation of the operator from the keyboard is determined, and if the designation is a directional speaker output, the directional speaker 6 controls the omni-directional operation within the range of FIG. If it is a speaker output, a warning sound is generated from the buzzer in the range of FIG.

That is, the switching flag setting process is a process of setting a warning sound output destination in real time according to an operator's instruction, and is a process of setting a warning sound output destination in real time according to an operator's instruction through a keyboard operation.

As described above, in the present invention, “setting” and
The status of the key switch is used to judge whether it is in the “registered” state. If the “set” state is being operated by the operator or “registered” is being handled as a customer, only the operator can hear the sound. In order to do so, a warning sound is generated by the directional speaker 6, and at other times, the operator may be away from the seat. Therefore, a warning sound is generated by the main body buzzer 5 so that the sound arrives in a non-directional manner. In addition, the warning sound can be omnidirectionally or directionally generated at the convenience of the operator by operating the keyboard.

The flow of the flowchart will be described in order. When it is necessary to generate a warning sound, the CPU 1 starts processing for generating a warning sound. In this process, first, the state of the key switch is detected, and it is determined whether or not the key switch is set to the sleep state (S1). As a result, if it is in the sleep state, the forced switching flag is turned off (S
4). Then, a buzzer (omnidirectional sound source) of the main body or the keyboard is selected as an output target, and the buzzer is sounded to notify an omnidirectional warning sound (S5). And
The warning sound generation processing is completed (S7).

On the other hand, if the state of the key switch is not the pause state in step S1, it is checked whether or not the compulsory switching flag is on. If the compulsory switching flag is on, output is made to the directional speaker. (S2, S
6).

Then, the warning sound generation processing is terminated (S
7).

If it is determined in step S2 that the switching flag is not on, it is determined whether or not the key switch is at the registration position (S3). As a result, if it is a registered position, control is performed to output a warning sound to the directional speaker 6, and the processing of generating a warning sound is completed (S6, S7).

If the result of determination in step S3 is that the device is not in the registered state, a buzzer (omnidirectional sound source) of the main body or keyboard is selected as an output target, and the buzzer is sounded to notify a warning sound omnidirectionally. (S5). Then, the warning sound generation processing is completed (S7).

On the other hand, the switching flag setting process is performed by the CPU 1 as follows. It is checked whether or not the forcible switching key is on (S11). As a result, if it is on, the forcible switching flag is turned on (S13). Then, the forced switching flag setting process ends (S15). If the result of determination in step S11 is that the forced switching key is not on, it is checked whether the forced switching key is off (S12). As a result, if it is off, the forcible switching flag is set to off, and the switching flag setting process is completed. If the compulsory switching key has not been turned off in step S12, the switching flag setting process is completed (S12).
15).

The above is provided with a directional sound source arranged toward the operator and a non-directional sound source so that when a warning sound is generated, it is not necessary for the customer to listen to the sound without being blind. The sound source to be used is automatically selected in accordance with the state of the key switch, so that the operator can be effectively informed. In essence, the gist of the present invention is to make the customer not hear the warning sound normally, but to hear it only by the operator, and when the operator is away from the cash register, the omnidirectional sound source is used. An alarm sound is generated so that an operator who is away can be notified without fail. Therefore, the object can be achieved even if the operator detects whether or not the cash register is present and can select the directional sound source and the non-directional sound source. An example thereof will be described next as a second embodiment.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a system block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an electronic cash register as another example of the present invention.
In the figure, 1 is a CPU (processor), 2 is a ROM, 3 is R
AM, 4 is an input unit, 5 is a non-directional speaker (omnidirectional sound source), 6 is a directional speaker (directional sound source), 7 is a display unit, 8 is a transmission interface, 9 is a power supply unit, and 10 is a power unit. An external storage unit 11 is a printing unit. Reference numeral 31 denotes a sensor for detecting the presence of an operator, and an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, or the like can be used.

The input unit 4 includes a keyboard including various function keys (function keys) and ten keys required as a cash register, a scanner for reading bar codes attached to products, and the like. The keyboard is provided with a non-directional speaker (or a buzzer) which is a conventional sound source. Further, the directional speaker 6 is a sound source for notifying the warning sound to the operator only so as to be heard.

The CPU 1 is the center of control of the entire system, and controls various operations and processes for realizing the function as a cash register in addition to the control of the system. Further, the CPU 1 has a sensor 31
When an operator is detected, when it is necessary to generate a warning sound, control is performed to generate a warning sound from the directional speaker 6 which is a directional sound source among a plurality of sound sources, When the sensor 31 does not detect the operator, when the need to generate a warning sound arises, the non-directional speaker 5 controls to generate a warning sound.

The ROM 2 is a memory portion storing programs for various controls and calculations to be performed by the CPU 1, and the RAM portion 3 is a memory used for a work area of the program and various tables.

The display unit 7 is a display for displaying the contents of cash register operation, displaying subtotals and totals, displaying registered contents, and displaying necessary information when contents are changed or updated. It is.

The transmission interface 8 is an interface for performing data communication with a host system or the like connected via a network or the like. The power supply unit 9
Is a power supply unit for supplying various system power supplies of the electronic cash register, and the external storage unit 10 is a large-capacity external storage device for storing various data including sales data and the like, and a magnetic tape storage device. And a hard disk drive and a magneto-optical storage device. Printing unit 11
Reference numeral denotes a printer unit for obtaining a receipt issued to a customer and a print output as a copy of a store.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the electronic cash register 20, viewed from the front.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 7 denotes a display unit, 11 denotes a printing unit, and 4 denotes an input unit, which is a keyboard part. 6
Is a directional speaker, which is arranged on the front of the main body of the electronic cash register main body 20, in this case, on the front left side, above the drawer (money storage box). In addition, the sensor 31
Are also arranged near the directional speaker 6.

Next, the operation of the present apparatus having the above configuration will be described. In the present apparatus, in addition to the function which should be originally possessed as the cash register, two types of sound sources having directivity and non-directivity, which are features of the present invention, are prepared.
When the use of the warning sound is generated, the warning sound is generated using one of the sound sources depending on the situation.

FIG. 8 shows a direction in which a warning sound is generated when an electronic cash register equipped with the directional speaker 6 and the sensor 31 is a feature of the present system.
It is an example showing a range and a detection field (detection area) of the sensor 31. In this system, the directional speaker 6 and the sensor 31 are provided on the front side of the electronic cash register main body 20. The front side is the operator, that is, the employee side, and when operating the cash register 20, the operator is located on the front side. The back side of the electronic cash register body 20 is the customer side, and the electronic cash register body 2
The customer enters the counter 21 at 0, from the customer side (customer side) aisle, places the shopping basket provided in the store containing the purchased products, and the operator (cashier) scans the shopping cart products one by one. Alternatively, the total purchase amount for each customer may be obtained by inputting data through the keyboard.

In this system, based on the detection output of the sensor 31, the CPU 1
0 is detected in the vicinity of the front side of the main body. And
When the operator is detected, the CPU 1 designates the generation of a warning sound (error sound) with directivity so that only the operator can hear the sound in the warning sound output scene, as shown in FIG. 8 (directivity mode). I do. As a result, the warning sound is generated from the directional speaker 6.

When the sensor 31 does not detect an operator, the CPU 1 designates the generation of a warning sound so that sound can be heard in all directions (360 degrees) around the cash register as shown in FIG. Sex mode). Thus, the warning sound is generated from the omnidirectional speaker 5.

In the second embodiment, the function of the first embodiment is further provided so that the speaker selection based on the sensor detection information is prioritized or the speaker selection is prioritized based on the state of the key switch. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for carrying out.

As described in detail above, the present invention prepares omnidirectional sources and directional sources as sound sources, and the directional sources mainly provide sound to the operator who operates the electronic cash register. When it is necessary to generate a warning sound so that the propagation area comes, when it is necessary to use a directional sound source during normal cashier work or registration work, the operator temporarily leaves the seat. In such a case, an omnidirectional sound source was used to make it easier for the operator who was away from the seat to hear, and a warning sound was generated.
This eliminates the need for the customer to hear the warning sound unnecessarily, thereby preventing the customer from feeling uncomfortable and improving the serviceability.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications.

[0062]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid unnecessary use of the warning sound to the customer while handling the cash register, and to suppress the discomfort to the customer. Thus, an electronic cash register capable of improving serviceability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic cash register according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, showing an example of a direction in which a sound is heard when a warning sound is generated by an electronic cash register equipped with a directional speaker 6, and an example of a range.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, showing an example of the appearance of an electronic cash register 20 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a procedure of a sound source switching process in the electronic cash register of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplarily showing a warning sound propagation range from an omnidirectional sound source.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic cash register according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, showing an example of the appearance of an electronic cash register according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and shows a direction in which a sound can be heard when a warning sound is generated by an electronic cash register equipped with the directional speaker 6 and the sensor 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention; The figure which showed the range and the detection field (detection area) of the sensor 31.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU (processor) 2 ... ROM 3 ... RAM 4 ... Input part 5 ... Non-directional speaker (omnidirectional sound source) 6 ... Directional speaker (directional sound source) 7 ... Display part 8 ... Transmission interface 9 ... Power supply unit 10 External storage unit 11 Printing unit 20 Electronic cash register body 21 Counter 31 Sensor.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key switch for switching operation modes such as pause, registration, and normal operation, and a sound source having no directivity, and a warning sound can be generated using the sound source. The electronic cash register includes a sound source having directivity toward the operator side, and a control means for switching the output of a warning sound by a key switch. The warning sound is directed at least in a mode during customer handling. An electronic cash register characterized in that the sound is generated by a sound source having the following. 2. An electronic cash register having a sound source having no directivity and capable of generating a warning sound using the sound source. A sound source and a sensor for detecting the presence of the operator are provided. When this sensor detects the presence of the operator, a directional sound source is used for generating a warning sound, and the other is directional. An electronic cash register comprising means for controlling a sound source having no sound to be used for generating a warning sound.