RU2541942C2 - Flexible checkout counter capable of fast and simple switch from normal use by worker to self-checkout and vice versa - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, computer engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to checkout counters used in retail facilities. The checkout counter comprises, in a working sequence, a belt conveyer, an intermediate scanning and payment unit and an end tray. A means is provided to enable use of the checkout counter by a worker or directly the a customer in self-checkout mode, as well as means which, in the case of the latter, enable the customer to directly pack commodities into bags after scanning on an area located immediately downstream of the intermediate unit from which the tray is removed. The tray is equipped with means which allow movement thereof to a position to enable use of the checkout counter in self-checkout mode. In the latter mode, the customer places acquired commodities at the initial belt conveyer, then reads the barcode of each commodity on the intermediate unit having a special-purpose programmable self-checkout interface for payment and other purposes and finally packs said commodities into bags at the end space from which the tray is removed, and then pays the total sum through suitable and pre-installed means.

EFFECT: improved customer service and improved flexibility when using check-out counters.

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Description

The present invention relates to cash registers used in supermarkets and other retail spaces through which a buyer must pass in order to identify and pay for purchased goods. The traditional cash register has the ability to process both large quantities of goods transported on carts and small quantities of goods transported in baskets. Typically, the checkpoint consists of three modules and consistently contains the first module formed by a horizontal conveyor belt on which the buyer places the goods purchased, an intermediate module, usually located on the inside next to the employee, in which the traditional technical equipment is a scanner, cash desk, a printer, a keypad for electronic payments and a cash drawer for cash payments, and an end module with a tray in which an employee can postpone scans These products and from which the buyer packages the purchased products. In the variant with a conveyor belt and a wide tray with a dividing wall, the traditional cash register reaches its maximum throughput, since it provides the simultaneous placement of goods on the conveyor belt and the packaging of goods in bags by the buyer.

In addition to the aforementioned traditional cash registers, there are now also so-called self-control systems, where the buyer himself identifies and pays for the goods purchased. The most common self-monitoring systems also consist of three modules, but are used to purchase a limited number of items, for example, a maximum of twenty-five items, and for this purpose they contain a module for placing the basket instead of the original conveyor belt and a module for packaging in bags instead of the tray. The dimensions of the intermediate module for scanning and payment are designed for human use on the go, and this module contains a touch screen for interaction with the buyer and automatic devices for cash payments and electronic payments. The module for packaging in bags can optionally be equipped with a reference scale to verify that the item in the bag matches the scanned item. The placement of self-monitoring systems usually requires the installation of these machines in blocks of four modules controlled by a moving worker who monitors objects and provides assistance.

Four points of self-control occupy approximately the same space as two traditional cash registers and, accordingly, have approximately the same throughput. The main difference is the type of processed purchases. The most common checkpoints are able to process only purchases from a small number of products, usually no more than can be carried in one basket, while ordinary checkpoints can process any type of purchase. Therefore, the economic advantage of the self-control points must be compared with the lower throughput capacity of the outlet for the equivalent area occupied by a number of checkpoints.

The applicant drew attention to the absence on the market of a flexible, conveniently convertible checkout point, which is able to provide the outlet with the advantages of both a traditional checkout point and a self-control system.

The purpose of this type of convertible checkpoint in accordance with the invention is to provide customers with better service, to provide greater flexibility in the use of a number of checkpoints and to reduce the cost of maintaining staff without reducing the throughput of the aforementioned checkout line points. Such a checkout point will be especially suitable for outlets that do not contain a large number of checkout points, in which there should be several checkout points with employees and in which often there is a need to ensure temporary periods of visits by buyers who purchase only a small amount products that are in a hurry and for which the opening of another checkpoint with an employee is unjustified from a financial point of view.

To meet these needs, the invention provides a conveniently and quickly convertible cash register, which can be configured to be used predominantly in self-monitoring mode, but which from time to time can be conveniently and quickly converted to a cash register for use in "with the help of an employee" "during peak hours and / or at time intervals and / or in situations in which it is considered appropriate and advantageous to also provide the buyer with human contact with the employee.

A converted checkpoint that imitates a traditional location scheme should not have connections with installed modules and may, especially at small retail outlets, provide for remote monitoring with the help of an operator who assists if necessary, and include cash desks with employees and other devices (video cameras, automatic exit gates) to protect against theft.

The features of the present invention are summarized in paragraph 1 and the dependent paragraphs of the attached claims and are based on the concept set forth below. In a traditional cash desk that contains the three above-mentioned modules in a working sequence — a conveyor belt onto which products are laid out, an intermediate scanning and payment module and an end tray where the passed-through products are collected — the present invention provides for the use of the said intermediate scanning module by an employee (mode of use with the help of the employee) or, on the same side as that used by the employee, directly by the buyer (re use of self-control), eliminating in the latter case the structural volume occupied by the end tray in which the goods are collected as a result of the displacement of this module by rotation or rotation and / or by translational motion, so as to create sufficient behind the said intermediate module free space to allow the buyer to conveniently pack in the bags the goods he has purchased previously identified with a scanner. When using a checkout point in self-control mode, the buyer places the products on the original conveyor belt, reads the barcode of each product on an intermediate module, which has a special programmable interface for using the checkout point in self-control mode, for payment and other purposes, and packs it in packages mentioned products in the end space, which is now not occupied by the tray.

Other features of the invention and the advantages it provides will become more apparent through the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limiting example in the figures of the accompanying drawing sheets, in which:

Figures 1 and 1a are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of three cash registers in accordance with the invention, arranged side by side, having a conversion type by rotation, of which only one operates in a self-monitoring mode.

Figures 2 and 2a are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, of three cash registers in accordance with the invention, arranged side by side, of a type with conversion by translational motion, with only one of these points operating in a self-monitoring mode.

Figures 3 and 4 are a perspective view and a side view with parts in section, respectively, of the housing supporting the end tray of the cash register with conversion by rotation, considered first in use mode with the help of an employee, and then in use mode of self-control of said control -Cash item.

5 and 6 are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of the housing supporting the end tray of the cash register with conversion by translational motion, considered in the use mode of self-control of the said cash register.

1 and 1a, reference numerals B1, B2 and B3 denote three identical cash registers of the type presented, located adjacent to and parallel to each other, forming a barrier to exit the outlet through which customers must pass in order to pay for goods purchased by them. Each checkpoint contains an initial conveyor belt T, which is horizontal and is usually driven by an electric drive on which the buyer places the goods purchased; an intermediate module C comprising a scanner, a cash register, a printer, an automatic device for cash payments, a keypad for electronic payments and a touch screen interface for use both in the employee-assisted mode and in self-control mode; and an end tray V, which in this example is of a wide type, with an intermediate dividing rotary partition P for dividing the tray into two parts, although it can be of any suitable type. The drive of the conveyor belt T is usually stopped using a photocell placed in a known manner in front of the downstream of the intermediate module C.

Checkpoints B1 and B3 are shown in the mode of use with the help of an employee, with a CS employee sitting next to intermediate module C, while his cash drawer is located in the special space of this module C. The employee occupies the space bounded by the left part of tray V, in front module C and to the right module M, which can stand on wheels or runners or which can be connected laterally to the belt conveyor housing with the possibility of turning to the side of the road and in front of which the display E can be located aritelnogo control, as shown next to the check-out counters B3. In the design variant, module M may be absent, leaving the space required for the employee's actions in the drawers in the front support of the support body. Intermediate checkpoint B2, unlike checkpoints B1 and B3, is shown in the self-control mode, to which it is transferred through the following quick sequence of operations:

• the end tray V is rotated 90 ° around the longitudinal axis of the checkpoint, raising the area that was previously next to the employee and which is now open for the customer to pass Z;

• module M, if available, can be installed under the conveyor belt T or can be located at the beginning of this module to support the shopping basket while the goods are removed from the basket and placed on the said conveyor belt;

• in the space freed up by removing tray V to the side of the path, the packages filled with products are held by means of bag holders installed on an optional weighing pan to control their weight and, thus, verify that the weight of the product scanned and placed in the packages is accurate. In another embodiment, the brackets A for holding the bags may be located under the tray;

• special software for the use of the self-control of the cash register is activated so that the buyer Z, after placing the goods on the conveyor belt T, can stand next to the intermediate module C, on the side previously occupied by the employee, to independently scan the barcodes of the individual purchased goods before placing them in packages S. After scanning and packaging of goods in packages, the buyer will act according to the purchase protocol, which may vary depending on and from a specific case. If problems arise during the scanning and packing phase, assistance procedures and / or alarms are activated in the proper order.

Figures 3 and 4 show that in one possible embodiment, the end tray V is housed in a housing 1 that contains handrails 2 on the longitudinal sides and which in the middle of the transverse sides contains mutually aligned, integral brackets 3, which may have, for example , C-shaped profile, the ends of which on the outer side of the housing 1 are rotated in section 4 to the triangular corner plates 5, attached by means of their base to the innermost part 206 of three telescopic rails 6, 106, 206, of which the most uzhnaya guide is attached to the upper portion 107 of the lower casing 7, which stands on the floor via the lower part 207 and comprises at least one transverse member 307 connects the two symmetrical parts of the body. Case 7 is designed to connect with adjacent parts of the case of the cash register in any suitable way. When the tray V is in the horizontal use position, as in FIG. 3 and as shown by the dot-dash line in FIG. 4, the guide system 6, 106, 206 is in the maximum extension position, and the housing 1 is held in the horizontal position by hinging its end brackets 8 with levers 9 pivotally connected to the brackets 10 on the transverse element 307 of the lower housing 7. In order to avoid unwanted movements of the housing 1 in the position shown in figure 3, you can use locking means but not shown, but easy to do for a specialist. When these optional locking means are neutralized and the housing 1 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 3, this housing moves towards the lower housing 7, while the telescopic rails 6, 106, 206 are gradually retracted into each other, entirely inside the fixed rail 6, and at the same time, the housing 1 rotates downward at the end connected to the levers 9, and rotates upward at the opposite end until it reaches the vertical position shown by solid lines in FIG. 4, in which th check-out counters can be used in self-monitoring mode, as shown with reference to Figures 1 and 1a. In order to lock the housing 1 in the position shown in FIG. 4, safety means (not shown) may be provided.

Figures 2 and 2a depict a variant of a checkout point in accordance with the invention, in which the end comprises a tray V ′ in which goods are collected in use by a worker. This tray is not wide, as in the previous embodiment. Next to it is a shelf R, which together with the tray forms a single element connected to the front along the body of the cash register, part to the central module C, with an intermediate guide and sliding means, which allows this end module V′-R to carry out a predetermined horizontal movement of the transverse movement so that when the cash registers are in the position of use with the help of an employee, for example in B1 and B3, then the said tray V ′ is combined with the central module C, and when the cash register is in the self-monitoring mode, as illustrated in the intermediate cash register B2, then the shelf R is aligned with the central module C, and the tray V ′ is in an offset position and is not used. In this embodiment, the shelf R may preferably include a weighing module that controls the weight of the purchases in order to check whether the weight matches the weight of the products whose barcodes the customer read on the scanner of the central module. As for all the other parts that are part of the checkpoint in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 2a and monitor its operation, they are the same as in the checkout center in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and 1a.

5 and 6, reference numeral 11 denotes the end portion of the housing of the intermediate module C, which contains a vertical partition 111 with an intermediate transverse bracket 12, a lower transverse bracket 112, which both have a U-shaped profile, and the outer flange of each bracket supports the corresponding nodes 13 , 113 guides and sliding elements. Said partition 111 comprises a horizontal horizontal protruding part 211, which is installed on the floor by means of supports (not shown) and which, on the outermost edge, comprises another guide and sliding assembly 213 parallel to the aforementioned assemblies 13, 113. The moving data part nodes of guides and sliding elements connected to the housing 14, which is made in the form of two steps, the upper stage of which supports the horizontal housing 15 for the tray V ′, and the lower stage of which supports you eupomyanutuyu shelf R. At the opposite ends of the movable body 14 can be provided wheels (not illustrated) in order to be on the floor and support that end of the housing, which is sometimes protrudes from the fixed support walls 111, 211.

In both illustrated embodiments, the conversion of a checkpoint does not require conversions and other interventions in the intermediate module C containing electronic parts, thereby greatly simplifying its design and its cost and increasing the reliability of the operation of the entire checkout.

Claims (8)

1. A checkpoint made with the possibility of providing flexibility in the use of a number of checkpoints, with the possibility of a quick and simplified transition from normal use with the help of an employee to the use of self-control and vice versa, of the type that contains a conveyor belt (T ) onto which the products are laid out, an intermediate scanning and payment module (C) and an end tray (V, V ′), in which the passed products are collected, and in which the said end lot to (V, V ′) is positioned so that it can be transformed in its overall dimensions in a plan view so as to move from a position for use to a position with reduced dimensions and not fulfilling its main function as an end tray, for example, to allow the use of a cash register item in self-service mode, and
means for reducing the size of the end tray contains means for rotating or rotating said tray around the longitudinal axis of the cash register and / or means for transferring the same end tray perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cash register, all this so that the modification of the dimensions of the end tray can be carried out in one quick transformation action. 2. A checkpoint according to claim 1, wherein said means of rotation or rotation is such that the tray (V) can also be of a wide type and is supported by means (7) so that from a normal horizontal position, said tray is capable of turning around the longitudinal axis and at the same time move parallel to this axis until it is in a substantially vertical and external position, freeing up a significant amount of space behind in the direction from the central scanning module (C), one hundred ONET along which moves the buyer to ensure that the latter greater freedom of movement when he bagged goods and when the cash register is used in place of self-control mode. 3. The checkpoint according to claim 2, wherein the brackets (A) are located under the tray (V) to hold the packages (S) in the open position, making it easier to fill them with goods purchased by the buyer when the buyer uses the checkpoint in self-control mode. 4. A checkpoint according to claim 2, in which the tray (V) is located in the support housing (1), which is equipped, in the middle of the transverse sides, with mutually aligned brackets (3), the ends of which from the outside of the said housing are turned to the corner plates (5) attached to the innermost (206) of the three telescopic rails (6, 106, 206), while the outermost guide is attached to the upper part (107) of the support housing (7), which stands on the floor using the lower part (207), with at least one transverse element (307) connecting there are symmetrical parts of the case, which is designed to be connected to adjacent parts of the case of the cash register, and the layout is such that when the tray (V) is in the horizontal position of use, said guide system (6, 106, 206) is in the maximum extension position and the housing (1) is held in horizontal position by pivotally connecting its end clamps (8) with levers (9) articulated with brackets (10) on the transverse element (307) of said supporting housing (7) ); and in general it is such that when the housing (1) with the tray is pushed out in the transverse direction from the space that needs to be freed up to use the checkout point in self-monitoring mode, said housing (1) moves towards the supporting housing (7), telescopic the guides (6, 106, 206) are gradually retracted into each other, completely inside the stationary guide (6), while the said housing with the tray tilts down at the end connected to the said levers (9) and up at the opposite end until until it will not be removed to the side of the road to a position in which the cash register can be used in self-monitoring mode. 5. The cash desk of claim 1, wherein said translational displacement means comprises a tray (V ′) housed in a support housing connected to an adjacent housing of the central module (C) by means of lateral displacement guides (13, 113, 213), so that from the position of alignment with this central module, for use in a worker-assisted mode, said tray (V ′) is capable of translationally moving to free up a significant amount of space behind in the direction from the central scanning module (C), on the side s which moves the buyer to ensure that the latter greater freedom of movement in the packaging of products in packages while using control-cash item in the self-control mode. 6. A checkpoint according to claim 5, in which the shelf (R) is located on the same housing that supports the tray (V ′), on the side of this tray and has the same height or preferably less than said tray, so when the checkpoint is in the self-monitoring mode, this shelf is behind and in straight line with the central scanning module (C) and can be used to hold packages when the buyer fills them with purchased goods. 7. A checkpoint according to claim 6, in which the end part of the housing (11) of the intermediate scanning module (C) comprises a vertical partition (111) with a lower horizontal extension (211), installed on these partitions using transverse brackets (12 , 112) and partially directly, the nodes (13, 113, 213) of the guide and sliding elements, in which the moving part is connected to the stepped case (14), the upper stage of which supports the horizontal case (15) for the tray (V ′), and the lower whose step supports the said shelf (R), moreover, under the opposite ends of said movable housing (14), wheels are mounted in order to be on the floor and support that part of this housing that will sometimes protrude from said stationary support partitions (111, 211). 8. The checkpoint according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an optional weighing means in combination with a means supporting the packages at the final filling stage in the use of self-control in order to check electronically whether the weight of the purchased goods corresponds to the weight of the products the barcodes of which the customer read on the scanner of the central module (C), and this weighing means is functionally connected to the central data processing module to enable or disable the final the stage of payment for purchases, depending on whether or not there is, respectively, a correspondence between the two scales, and in the latter case, an alarm is triggered.

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