JPH1074287A - Pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute the operation from the extraction of product data to receipt issuance by a customer alone by confirming the matching of a product recognized by a pattern recognition means and the product based on a bar code read by a scanner. SOLUTION: A voice guidance part 22 guides the next operation explanation or the like to the customer by voice according to a progress state. A screen display part 23 guides the operation explanation of the next procedure or the like for instance by prescribed screen display corresponding to the progress state of an operation procedure by the customer. The pattern recognition means 32 stores the image pickup data pattern of an outer shape for the products in stock, receives the image pickup data of a camera 21, judges the product code of the product and informs a control means 31 of it. A product matching detection means 34 judges the matching of the product code outputted from the scanner 12 and the product code outputted from the pattern recognition means 32. A charge collection means 36 performs the collection processing of a product charge to the received total amount of money by transferring data with a card read part 17, a coin receiving/paying part 18 and a paper money receiving/paying part 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a point-of-sales (POS) that reads a bar code of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizes the product, calculates the total amount, and issues a receipt.
es) It relates to a system, in particular to a POS system in which a dedicated operator is unmanned.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a POS system of this kind, a labor-saving apparatus in which a customer reads a part code and one operator is arranged in a settlement section for two lanes is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 9-110572. No. 4,329,292.

This device will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
0, passing sequentially through the carry-in section 120, the sorting section 130, the carry-out section 140, and the bag filling section 150.

The customer causes the reading means of the reading unit 110 to read the product code of the purchased product by himself. According to the read product code, in the table memory 210,
The characteristic data registered in advance corresponding to the product code is read from the first table memory and stored in the second table memory.

[0005] Next, the goods are transferred to the carry-in section 120.
In the loading section 120, the weight of the product is measured by the measuring means. The checking unit 220 specifies the product from the characteristic data of the plurality of products in the second table memory of the table memory 210 and the weight obtained from the measuring unit of the loading unit 120. Even if the order of reading by the check function of the check means 220 based on the characteristic data of the plurality of products in the second table memory and the order of moving to the loading unit 120 are reversed, the products can be normally checked.

Next, the checking means 220 instructs the distribution unit 130 to send the goods that have been normally checked to the unloading unit 140, and sends the characteristic data to the settlement unit 100. If a normal check could not be performed, check means 220
Instructs the distribution unit 130 to send the product to the stock unit 160.

The merchandise in the stock section 160 is picked up by the operator, the merchandise code is read by the reading processing means of the settlement section 100, and the characteristic data corresponding to the merchandise is taken out from the table memory 210. If the reading is successful, the operator moves the product from the stock unit 160 to the unloading unit 140.

The settlement section 100 sequentially totals the input characteristic data of the merchandise by the totaling means, and issues a receipt including the details of the merchandise by the receipt issuing means when the operator inputs the end.

[0009]

The conventional POS described above
Since the system discriminates products by weight in order to prevent fraud when a product code is read by a customer, there is a problem in that it is difficult to make detailed determinations.

Further, there is a problem that an operator is required for rereading processing and settlement processing when the checking means based on the weight of the product detects an abnormality, and it is impossible to perform unmanned operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a POS system in which an operator is unmanned, which eliminates an operator from a POS lane and allows only customers to extract product data and issue a receipt.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A POS system according to the present invention is a POS system which reads a bar code of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizes the product, calculates the total price, and issues a receipt. A screen display unit and a voice guidance unit for guiding, a fixed scanner for reading a barcode of a product by a purchaser's operation, a camera for capturing an image of the product while the barcode is being read by the scanner, and an image data of the camera. A pattern recognition unit for recognizing the product, a match detection unit for confirming a match between the product recognized by the pattern recognition unit and a product based on the barcode read by the scanner, and the product data of all the products by the match detection unit. It is activated when it is confirmed and it can be settled, and selects either cash or card and deposit processing And a payment collection means that.

The above-described camera and pattern recognition means can more reliably determine a product than simply performing weight determination, and the operation procedure of the screen display unit and the voice guidance unit can be guided to make the settlement unit unmanned. Is possible.

[0014]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the POS system shown in FIG.
The goods loading / paying counter 10 is provided with a product tray (hereinafter referred to as a tray) 11 and a barcode scanner (hereinafter referred to as a scanner) 12 on a horizontal counter from the entrance door 41 side to the exit door side of the lane to which the customer moves. , And a processed goods tray 13, and furthermore, an entrance sensor 14, a key input unit 15 similar to an ATM (automatic teller machine) of a financial institution, and a receipt output unit 1.
6, a card reader 17, a coin slot 18 and a bill slot 19 are provided.

A facing board 20 which is a vertical surface facing a customer in front of the goods loading / paying counter 10 is provided with a goods recognition camera (hereinafter, referred to as a camera) 21, a voice guidance unit 22, and a screen display unit 23. Shall be.

Further, as the control unit 30, control means 31,
It is assumed that a pattern recognition unit 32, a product data file 33, a product match detection unit 34, a communication unit 35, and a charge collection unit 36 are provided. The control unit 31 exchanges data with the scanner 12, the entrance sensor 14, the key input unit 15, the receipt output unit 16, the camera 21, the voice guidance unit 22, and the screen display unit 23 to perform predetermined functions. The charge collecting means 36 receives the control of the control means 31 and receives the card reading unit 17, the coin receiving / receiving unit 18, and the bill receiving / receiving unit 19.
And the data is exchanged to collect the product price.

A first point different from the conventional one is that a product is specified from an external pattern obtained by the camera 21 and the pattern recognition means 32, and a second point is that a card reading unit 17, a coin input / output unit 18, And a collection means for exchanging data with the bill input / output unit 19 and collecting the commodity price.

The tray 11 is for placing and carrying goods to be purchased, and the goods whose barcodes have been read by the scanner 12 are transferred to the processed goods tray 13. It is assumed that the camera 21 can recognize that the tray 11 is empty. It is assumed that the scanner 12 notifies the control unit 31 of the product code in the form of a barcode.

The entrance sensor 14 detects that a customer has entered the checkout lane from the entrance door 41, and notifies the control means 31. The key input unit 15 is operated by the customer according to the guidance of the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23,
For example, it is assumed that the payment means is cash or a card and a password is input, and the operation information is notified to the control means 31.

The receipt output unit 16 checks the price of the product after payment.
Under the control of the control means 31, a receipt having details such as a product and a price, a subtotal, a deposit, a change, and a total is created and printed out.

The card reading section 17 is used by a customer when a predetermined credit card, cash card, or prepaid card is inserted to perform payment processing. The coin depositing / dispensing unit 18 and the bill receiving / dispensing unit 19 have openings, and when the price is inserted, the input price is calculated and the necessary change is issued.

The camera 21 moves from the tray 11 and sends image data of the outer shape of the product to the pattern recognition means 32 while the barcode is read by the scanner 12. In addition, the camera 21 monitors the movement of the product in the range from the tray 11 to the scanner 12, notifies the control unit 31 of the abnormality, and recognizes that there is no remaining product on the tray 11.

The voice guidance unit 22 receives a control by the control means 31 and guides the customer through a predetermined voice in accordance with the progress state, such as the next operation explanation to the customer, a countermeasure for an erroneous operation or an error situation, a prompt for the next operation, and the like. And

The screen display unit 23 receives the control of the control means 31 and displays a predetermined screen according to the progress of the operation procedure by the customer, for example, an operation explanation of the next procedure, a method for coping with an erroneous operation or an error situation, and a next procedure. It is assumed that the dunning of the operation is guided by an image according to the progress state.

The voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23
As described above, the procedure guidance for preventing erroneous operation is provided.
In addition to this, correct guidance and warning for illegal operation, erroneous operation, illegal act, etc. shall be notified.

The function and main operation procedure of the control section 30, mainly the control means 31, will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The pattern recognizing means 32 prestores an image data pattern of the outer shape of the assorted products, receives the image data of the camera 21, determines the product code of the product, and notifies the control means 31 of the determined product code. I do. For a plurality of products having the same or similar external shape, there can be a plurality of product codes in one pattern, so that the technology of the conventional example may be used in combination.

The product data file 33 stores in advance product data such as a product name and a unit price corresponding to the product code of the product in the assortment, and under the control of the control means 31, stores product data such as sales. Are sequentially stored.

The product coincidence detecting means 34 determines whether the product code output from the scanner 12 matches the product code output from the pattern recognition means 32.

The communication means 35 controls the control means 31 when the sales status is sent to the store controller or when the product data such as the product data or the product unit price is changed.
It operates under the control of.

The charge collecting means 36 receives the control of the control means 31 and collects the goods for the received total amount by exchanging data with the card reading unit 17, the coin receiving / receiving unit 18 and the bill receiving / receiving unit 19. Shall be.

Next, an outline of the main operation of the present invention in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, when a customer who has completed shopping enters the checkout lane through the entrance door 41, the entrance sensor 14 recognizes the visitor and notifies the control means 31 (step S1). .

Upon receiving this notification, the control means 31 instructs the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 to say, "Welcome. Put the products on the tray and pass the barcodes of the products one by one on the scanner. Please place it on the tray. "
2).

When the customer places all the products on the tray 11 and passes them one by one over the scanner 12, the scanner 12 reads the barcode of the products and sends it to the control means 31 (step S3).

If the step S3 is "YES" and the bar code is read, the control means 31
3 or index the product data of the product from the product data file in the external memory device via the communication means 35 (step S4).

On the other hand, the camera 21 images the outer shape of the product and sends it to the pattern recognizing means 32. The pattern recognizing means 32 recognizes some of the product items by comparing them with the pre-stored outer shape pattern of the product and controls the product. 31 (procedure S
5).

If the procedure S5 is "YES" and the product can be recognized by the camera, the control means 31
Then, the recognized product and the product data indexed in step S4 are sent to step 4 to confirm the matching of the products (step S6).

If the step S6 is "YES" and the bar code product matches the pattern recognition product, the control means 31 extracts the product name and the unit price from the product code indexed based on the bar code, and The subtotal is calculated by adding the unit price to the total price (step S7).

Next, the control means 31 determines the product name,
Voice guidance unit 22 and screen display unit 23
And instruct by voice and screen display, and instruct the receipt output unit 16 to print on the receipt (step S
8) The remaining goods are checked based on the imaging of the tray 11 by the camera 21 (step S9).

If the step S9 is "NO" and there are still remaining commodities, the procedure returns to the step S2 and is repeated.

On the other hand, although the above procedure S3 is "NO" and the scanner 12 cannot read the barcode of the product,
When the image of the outer shape obtained in step 1 is successfully recognized by the pattern recognition unit 32 (step S11), the control unit 31 having received the notification notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 of the voice and the sound. Scanner 12
(Step S12), and the procedure returns to step S3.

If the above step S5 is "NO" and the product cannot be recognized by the pattern recognition means 32, the control means 31
Notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23, and guides the re-operation along with the method such as the direction and position of the product with respect to the camera 21 by voice and screen display (step S
13) Return to step S3.

If the step S6 is "NO" and the products do not match, the control means 31 notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 to guide the re-operation by voice and screen display ( Step S14), and return to step S2.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Is "YES" and there is no remaining product, the control means 31
Calculates the total price including the consumption tax, notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23, provides guidance by voice and screen display (step S21), and prints it on the receipt.

Next, the control means 31 controls the coin input / output section 18
And instructs the bill input / output unit 19 to open the mouth (step S2).
2) Notify the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 to ask whether the payment is cash or card by voice and screen display, guide the procedure of cash insertion or card insertion (procedure S23), and insert money. (Step S24) or wait for card insertion (Step S31).

If the cash is inserted when the procedure S24 is "YES", the coin insertion / ejection section 18 and the bill insertion / exit section 19 are closed by the cash input, and the charge collecting means 36 calculates the amount of the input (step S25). When there is change (Y in step S26)
ES), put the change and open the mouth again (step S27).

On the other hand, the payment collecting means 36 outputs the payment contents such as deposits and change via the control means 31 to the receipt output unit 1.
6, the receipt output unit 16 prints and outputs the input amount and the change amount on the receipt (step S28).
Next, the control means 31 notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 to provide a voice and screen display to guide the user to complete the processing, to collect the receipt, and to leave the lane for the next person (procedure). S29), ends the procedure.

On the other hand, if the step S24 is "NO" and no coin is inserted, and the step S31 is "YES" and the card is inserted into the card reading section 17, the coin insertion / exit section 18 and the bill insertion / exit section 19 are closed. When the card is closed, the card reading unit 17 determines that the inserted card is usable and notifies the control unit 31 of the information.

In the case of a credit card, the control means 31
Notifies the voice guidance unit 22 and the screen display unit 23 to guide the input of the personal identification number by voice and screen display (step S32). The control means 31 receives the personal identification number from the key input unit 15 (YES in step S33), checks with the credit card settlement destination via the communication device 35, and after a predetermined process (step S34) for adjusting the price. , Card reading unit 1
7, the card is returned from the card reading unit 17 (step S35), and at the same time, the processing contents are notified to the receipt output unit 16, and the receipt output unit 16 prints and outputs the processing contents on the receipt S28. Proceed to.

As described above, the commodity recognition camera determines the commodity of the barcode read by the barcode scanner based on the outer shape pattern, prevents unauthorized use of another commodity's barcode, and realizes unmanned operation. Is underway.

In the above description, the commodity recognition camera recognizes the presence or absence of a commodity on the commodity tray. However, a weight measuring means may be added to the commodity tray, and the presence or absence of the commodity may be recognized by the weight measuring means.

As a means for paying cash and a credit card, a transfer function and a system using an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a financial institution can be used. In the above description, the explanation was made using a credit card.
A payment method and a device using a prepaid card such as transportation can be used together.

In the above description, the components having an exposed portion outside are separately illustrated and described separately for the merchandise carry-in settlement counter and the facing board. However, the positions of the components are not limited to the illustrated positions. Although the functional blocks and the operation procedure have been illustrated and described, the distribution to the blocks by separating and merging the functions, the exchange before and after the procedure, the parallel simultaneous operation, and the like are free as long as the above functions are satisfied. Is not limited.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, a screen display unit and a voice guidance unit for guiding an operation procedure, a fixed scanner for reading a bar code of a product by a purchaser's operation, and the scanner A camera for imaging a product from which a barcode is read, a pattern recognition unit for recognizing the product from the image data of the camera, and a match between the product recognized by the pattern recognition unit and the product based on the barcode read by the scanner. A POS comprising: a coincidence detecting means for confirming; and a charge collecting means which is driven when the commodity data of all commodities is confirmed by the coincidence detecting means and which is selected from cash and a card, and which performs payment processing. The system is obtained.

The POS terminal device can be handled by the customer by the screen display unit and the voice guidance unit for guiding the operation procedure and the collection means for selecting one of cash and a card and performing a payment process. Unmanned P
An OS system can be obtained. Further, the camera for imaging the commodity can monitor the customer's illegal barcode reading operation and can recognize the end of the barcode reading operation by monitoring the tray.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a main operation procedure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one form of a procedure following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 merchandise loading / paying counter 11 merchandise tray (tray) 12 barcode scanner (scanner) 13 processed merchandise tray 14 entrance sensor 15 key input unit 16 receipt output unit 17 card reading unit 18 coin entry / exit unit 19 bill entry / exit unit 20 facing board 21 Product Recognition Camera (Camera) 22 Voice Guidance Unit 23 Screen Display Unit 30 Control Unit 31 Control Unit 32 Pattern Recognition Unit 33 Product Data File 34 Product Match Detection Unit 35 Communication Unit 36 Payment Collection Unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A POS (Point Of Sales) system for reading a bar code of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizing the product, calculating the total amount, and issuing a receipt; A voice guidance unit, a fixed scanner for reading a barcode of a product by a customer operation, a camera for capturing an image of the product while the barcode is being read by the scanner, and a pattern recognition unit for recognizing the product from image data of the camera A POS system for checking whether a product recognized by the pattern recognition unit matches a product based on a barcode read by the scanner. 2. In a POS system that reads a barcode of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizes the product, calculates a total amount, and issues a receipt, when the barcode reading of all purchased products is completed. A screen display unit and a voice guidance unit for guiding a total amount and a fee payment procedure, and a selection unit for selecting one of cash and a card,
A POS system comprising: a collection means for performing a payment process using cash or a card. 3. A POS system for reading a bar code of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizing the product, calculating the total amount, and issuing a receipt, a screen display unit and a voice guidance unit for guiding operation procedures; A fixed scanner for reading a barcode of a product by a customer operation, a camera for capturing an image of the product while the barcode is being read by the scanner, a pattern recognition unit for recognizing the product from image data of the camera; A coincidence detecting means for confirming the coincidence between the commodity recognized by the means and the commodity based on the barcode read by the scanner; and POS system characterized by comprising a collection means for selecting one of cash and a card and performing a deposit processing. Tem. 4. A measuring means according to claim 3, further comprising a tray for placing a purchased product before inputting a barcode, wherein the checkable state recognizes absence of a product in the tray from image data taken by the camera. POS system comprising: detecting from the weight of the tray; and inputting from a key input unit. 5. A POS system for reading a bar code of a product purchased by a customer with a scanner, recognizing the product, calculating the total amount and issuing a receipt, and moving a tray on which the purchased product before inputting the bar code is placed. A fixed scanner that reads a barcode of a product, a camera that captures a product that is reading a barcode with the scanner, and outputs image data, a screen display unit that guides an operation procedure and notifies an abnormality or a warning, and a voice guide. And a pattern recognizing means for recognizing a product on the basis of image data received from the camera, and confirming a match between the product recognized by the pattern recognizing means and the product read by the scanner and indexed from a product data file. Coincidence detection means, and a charge collection means for selecting one of cash and a card and performing a deposit processing. When there is no remaining product in the tray and the match of all purchased products is confirmed by the match detection means and the product data is prepared by a barcode, and the product is ready for payment, the screen display unit and the voice guidance unit together with the total amount are displayed. A POS system comprising: guiding a payment procedure; driving the collection means; collecting the payment and issuing a receipt by the collection means. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the presence / absence of a product in the tray is recognized from tray image data of the camera, detected from the weight of the tray by including a measuring unit, and from a key input unit. Inputting, at least one of each.