TW201905785A - Unmanned checkout device, method of controlling the unmanned checkout device, computer program for executing the method, and apparatus for controlling the unmanned checkout device - Google Patents

Abstract

An unmanned checkout device includes a sensor unit including a first sensor configured to sense an object in a first region, and a second sensor configured to sense an object in a second region; a transfer unit configured to transfer a product in a traveling direction from the first region to the second region, the transfer unit including a plurality of transfer parts; a scanner configured to scan identification (ID) information of the product; and a controller configured to drive the transfer unit when an object is sensed by the first sensor, receive the ID information of the product scanned by the scanner while the transfer unit is being driven, and stop at least one of the plurality of transfer parts from being driven when an object is detected by the second sensor.

Description

Unmanned checkout component, method of controlling unmanned checkout component, computer program for executing the method, and device for controlling unmanned checkout component

One or more embodiments relate to an unattended checkout device, a method of controlling an unattended checkout device, a computer program that executes the method, and a device that controls the unattended checkout device.

In commercial locations where people can purchase products, such as markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores, when a user selects a product and enters the counter, the employee typically scans the barcode of the product directly using the reader, and the user uses the payment method. (such as credit card, cash, etc.) to pay for the product.

At the same time, the vending machine operates in an unattended system that allows the user to personally select the product and insert the payment instrument into the vending machine to pay for the price of the product in order to purchase the product without the employee. However, in the general environment where users purchase many products, such as markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores, this unattended operation is subject to many limitations.

One or more embodiments include an unattended checkout device, a method of controlling an unattended checkout device, a computer program that executes the method, and a device that controls the unattended checkout device.

Other aspects will be described in part in the description which follows, and may be understood in part in the description.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an unmanned checkout apparatus includes a sensor unit including a first sensor to sense an object in a first region, and a second to sense an object in the second region a sensor; a transfer unit for transferring the product from the first area to the second area in a traveling direction, the transfer unit includes a plurality of transfer portions; a scanner for scanning product identification (ID) information; and a controller And driving the transmitting unit when the first sensor senses the object, receiving the ID information of the product scanned by the scanner when the transmitting unit is being driven, and stopping when the second sensor senses the object At least one of the transfer units is not driven.

The above-described unattended device may further include a payment unit for processing payment regarding the total price of the product scanned by the scanner. From the moment the payment unit begins processing the payment to the time the payment unit receives the payment permission, the controller can stop the transmission unit from being driven.

The above-mentioned unmanned checkout device may further include an illuminant for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state. The controller may control the illumination state of the illuminant according to whether the first sensor and the second sensor sense an object.

The illuminant may include a first illuminator; and a second illuminator, the second illuminator being closer to the second region than the first illuminant. The controller may control the first illuminator to emit light in the first state when the first sensor senses the object, and the controller may control the second illuminant in the first state when the second sensor senses the object Illuminates in one state. Alternatively, when the first sensor senses the object, the controller may control the second illuminator to emit light in the second state, and when the second sensor senses the object, the controller may control the first illuminant Lights up in the second state.

The above unmanned checkout device may further include a display for displaying a screen image. The display may include a first display; and a second display, the second display being closer to the second area than the first display, and the controller may control the second display to display a list of products scanned by the scanner, and control A display displays information of a predetermined number of scanned products in a product scanned from the scanner in the order in which they are scanned.

The transfer unit may include a first transfer portion adjacent to the first region, a second transfer portion adjacent to the second region, and a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and When the second sensor senses an object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven.

When the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses the object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven. Alternatively, just as the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses the object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven.

The controller may maintain driving the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion when the product is present on the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion, or the controller may be stopped even if the first transfer portion is in a predetermined period of time The driving of the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion can be maintained. In this case, the sensor unit may further include a transfer sensor for sensing whether the product is present on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion.

The scanner can scan the ID information of the product existing on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion.

The scanner may include a first scan sensor located between the second transfer portion and the third transfer portion; a second scan sensor located above the third transfer portion; and a third scan sensor located at the second Above the transfer section.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method of controlling an unmanned checkout device by using a processor includes a scan operation and a stop operation. The above unmanned checkout device includes a sensor unit including a first sensor for sensing an object in the first area, and a second sensor for sensing an object in the second area; To transfer the product from the first area to the second area in the direction of travel, the transport unit includes a plurality of transports; a scanner to scan identification (ID) information of the product; and a processor. In the scanning operation, the processor drives the transfer unit when the first sensor senses the object, and the processor receives the ID information of the product scanned by the scanner when the transfer unit is being driven. In the stop operation, when the second sensor senses an object, the processor stops at least one of the plurality of transport portions from being driven.

The above-described unattended device may further include a payment unit for processing payment regarding the total price of the product scanned by the scanner. The above method may further include a stop operation in which the processor stops the transfer unit from being driven when the payment unit starts processing the payment until the payment unit receives the payment permission.

The above-mentioned unmanned checkout device may further include an illuminant for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state, and the above method may further include a first illuminating control operation according to whether the first sensor senses The object controls the light emitting state of the light body; and the second light emitting control operation controls the light emitting state of the light emitting body according to whether the second sensor senses the object.

The illuminant may include a first illuminator; and a second illuminator, the second illuminator being closer to the second region than the first illuminant. The first light emission control operation may include turning on the first light body in the first state when the first sensor senses the object, and the second light emission control operation may include when the second sensor senses the object At the time, the second illuminator is turned on in the first state. Alternatively, the above first lighting control operation may include turning on the second illuminator in the second state when the first sensor senses the object, and the second illuminating control operation may include when the second sensor senses When the object is reached, the first illuminant is turned on in the second state.

The above unmanned checkout device may further include a display for displaying a screen image. The display may include a first display; and a second display, the second display being closer to the second area than the first display, and the method may further include displaying a list of products scanned by the scanner on the second display, and Information of a preset number of scanned products is displayed on the first display from the products scanned by the scanner in the order in which they are scanned.

The transfer unit may include a first transfer portion adjacent to the first region, a second transfer portion adjacent to the second region, and a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and the above The stopping operation may include an operation in which the processor stops the first transfer portion from being driven when the second sensor senses the object.

When the second sensor senses an object, the processor may stop the first transfer portion from being driven even if the first sensor senses the object. Alternatively, just as the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses the object, the processor may stop the first transfer portion from being driven.

When the product exists on the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion, the processor can maintain the drive of the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion even if the first transfer portion is in a stopped state.

The above scanning operation may include scanning ID information of a product existing on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a computer program is stored on a medium to perform the above method by using a computer.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus for controlling an unmanned checkout device includes a controller. The above-mentioned unmanned checkout device includes a sensor including a first sensor for sensing an object in the first area, and a second sensor for sensing an object in the second area; and a transmitting unit for The product is transported from the first area to the second area in the direction of travel, the transport unit includes a plurality of transports, and a scanner for scanning identification (ID) information of the product. The controller is configured to drive the transmitting unit when the first sensor senses an object, receive ID information of the product scanned by the scanner when the transmitting unit is being driven, and stop when the second sensor senses the object At least one of the plurality of transport sections is not driven.

The above-described unattended device may further include a payment unit for processing the payment regarding the total price of the product scanned by the scanner, and the controller may stop at the time when the payment unit starts processing the payment until the payment unit receives the payment permission. Transfer the unit so that it is not driven.

The above-mentioned unmanned checkout device may further include an illuminant for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state, and the controller may control the illuminating according to whether the first sensor and the second sensor sense an object The state of illumination of the body.

In detail, the illuminant may include a first illuminator; and a second illuminator, the second illuminator being closer to the second region than the first illuminant. The controller may control the first illuminator to emit light in the first state when the first sensor senses the object, and the controller may control the second illuminant in the first state when the second sensor senses the object Illuminates in one state. Alternatively, when the first sensor senses the object, the controller may control the second illuminator to emit light in the second state, and when the second sensor senses the object, the controller may control the first illuminant Lights up in the second state.

The above unmanned checkout device may further include a display for displaying a screen image. The display may include a first display; and a second display, the second display being closer to the second area than the first display, and the controller may control the second display to display a list of products scanned by the scanner and may control The first display displays information of a predetermined number of scanned products from the products scanned by the scanner in the order in which they are scanned.

The transfer unit may include a first transfer portion adjacent to the first region, a second transfer portion adjacent to the second region, and a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and When the second sensor senses an object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven.

When the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses the object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven. Alternatively, just as the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses the object, the controller may stop the first transfer portion from being driven.

Even if the first conveying portion is in a stopped state, when the product is present on the third conveying portion and the second conveying portion, the controller may maintain driving the third conveying portion and the second conveying portion, or for a predetermined period of time, the controller The driving of the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion can be maintained. The sensor may further include a transfer sensor for sensing whether the product is present on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion.

The scanner can scan the ID information of the product existing on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion.

The scanner may include a first scan sensor located between the second transfer portion and the third transfer portion; a second scan sensor located above the third transfer portion; and a third scan sensor located at the second Above the transfer section.

These general and specific embodiments can be implemented by using a system, method, computer program, or a combination thereof.

The invention is described in terms of various modifications and various embodiments, The drawings used to describe the exemplary embodiments are to be considered as a However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiment, and the invention is intended to be construed as a

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings Similar component symbols in the drawings will represent similar components, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", and the like may be used herein to describe various components, the components are not limited to these terms. These components are only used to distinguish one another. The singular forms "a" and "the" It is to be understood that the phrase "comprise" or "comprising" is used to indicate the presence of the stated feature or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components. For ease of explanation, the dimensions of the components in the drawings may be enlarged. In other words, the size and thickness of the components in the drawings are not accurately depicted for convenience of explanation, and thus the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

1 is a perspective view of an unmanned checkout apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of FIG. Part of the schematic diagram.

When the user placed product is transported on the conveyor belt, the unattended checkout device 100 of FIG. 1 scans the product identification (ID) information, allowing the user to pay the total product price based on the scanned ID information of the product, and automatically control the conveyor belt. Driven to place and transfer products smoothly.

While rotating in the direction of travel d, the conveyor belt transports the product placed thereon in the direction of travel d from the inlet end of the product entry to the outlet end where the product exits. Since the product is transported from the inlet end to the outlet end along the direction of travel d, for convenience of explanation, the outlet end will now be described as being in front of the direction of travel d, ie the inlet end is at the rear.

The structure of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 will now be schematically described. The unattended device 100 includes a controller 110 that controls the entire unmanned checkout device 100, a sensor unit 120 that senses an object, a transfer unit 130 that transmits the product, a display 140 that outputs a guide image, and provides an intuition to the user. The illuminant 150 of the visual information, the scanner 160 that scans the product information, and the payment unit 170.

The sensor unit 120 may include a first sensor 121 that senses an object in the first region and a second sensor 122 that senses an object in the second region. The second zone is closer to the outlet end than the inlet end, and the first zone is closer to the inlet end than the outlet end. In other words, as far as the traveling direction d of the conveying direction of the product is concerned, the second region may be an area in front of the first region. Therefore, the direction from the first region to the second region may be the traveling direction d. The direction from the first region to the second region can also be understood to be substantially parallel to the direction of travel d.

For example, the first zone may include the inlet end and/or the vicinity of the inlet end of the unmanned checkout device 100, while the second zone may include the vicinity of the exit end and/or the exit end of the unmanned checkout device 100. According to an example, the first region may be an area within a range of angles before the sensors 121a and 121b up to a certain distance. According to an example, the first region may be an area between the plurality of sensing terminals of the sensor 121c. According to an example, the second region may be an area within a range of angles prior to the sensor 122 up to a certain distance.

The first sensor 121 can sense an object approaching the unmanned checkout device 100, and in detail, a person and/or product that is approaching the entrance end of the unmanned checkout device 100.

According to an example, the first sensor 121 may include sensors 121a and 121b disposed on the frame F at the inlet end. The sensors 121a and 121b may be disposed at one side and/or the rear end of the frame F and facing the outer side of the frame F, and the first area as the detection target area of the sensors 121a and 121b may be the outside of the frame F region. The detection target area of the sensors 121a and 121b may be one person. The person who attempts to pay for the product using the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment approaches the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 and places the product on the unmanned checkout apparatus 100. As a result, the person inevitably approaches the entrance end of the unmanned checkout device 100. Therefore, the sensors 121a and 121b can regard a person approaching the entrance end of the unmanned checkout device 100 as a detection target object. To this end, the first sensor 121 may include only the sensor 121a on the side end of the frame F or the sensor 121b on the rear end including only the frame F. The types of sensors 121a and 121b may be passive infrared (PIR) sensors or IR sensors, but are not limited to specific sensors.

The first sensor 121 may include a sensor 121c that senses a product placed on a conveyor belt of the transport unit 130. The sensor 121c may include two sensing terminals attached to the frame F and opposed to each other, and may sense whether a product is placed between the two sensing terminals.

The first sensor 121 may include a combination of at least one of the sensors 121a, 121b, and 121c. According to an example, the first sensor 121 can sense a person by including one of the sensors 121a and 121b, and can sense the product by including the sensor 121c, thereby sensing in a double inspection manner object.

The second sensor 122 includes a sensor disposed on the frame F at the outlet end to sense an object approaching the outlet end. According to an example, the second sensor 122 may be disposed at the front end and/or one side end of the frame F and facing the outer side of the frame F, and the second area as the detection target area of the second sensor 122 may be a frame The outer area of F. The second sensor 122 may be a sensor for sensing the proximity of a person, and the type thereof may be a PIR sensor or an IR sensor, but is not limited to a specific sensor. The second sensor 122 can be disposed on one side of the frame F around the outlet end as described above and senses a person approaching the outlet end.

The above-described positions and types of the first sensor 121 and the second sensor 122 are exemplary, and the embodiment is not limited thereto. Since the first sensor 121 is included to sense a user approaching the inlet end and/or a product placed on the conveyor belt, the first sensor 121 can be designed to have any of a variety of positions and any of various types One. Since the second sensor 122 is included to sense the user entering the outlet end, it is for example a user who places all products on the conveyor belt near the inlet end and moves in the direction of travel d, then enters the outlet end, the second sensing The 122 can be designed to have any of a variety of positions and any of a variety of types.

The conveying unit 130 may include a drum and a conveyor belt that conveys the product according to the rotation of the drum. The above roller can be driven under the control of the controller 110. The conveyor belt moves the product in the direction of travel d according to the rotation of the drum. The transfer unit 130 will be described in detail later.

Display 140 can include a display that outputs a guidance screen image for providing information to a user. Display 140 can include a first display 141 at the inlet end and a second display 142 at the exit end. The first display 141 may display information on the screen to be provided to the user who placed the product at the entrance end or information of the next user waiting at the entrance end, and may be installed to face the entrance end or the waiting line. The second display 142 can display payment related information to be provided to a user at the exit end to perform the payment. The second display 142 can be mounted to face the exit end or the front of the payment unit 170 (where the user is expected to stand to use the payment unit 170). Display 140 can include a touch screen.

The illuminator 150 can include at least one light that illuminates in at least one of the predetermined states to provide intuitive visual information to the user. The light emitting state of the illuminant 150 is classified according to a light color or a light emitting pattern. For example, the illuminating state can be divided into a first state in which green light is emitted and a second state in which red light is emitted. The light emitting state may further include a third state of repeatedly flashing green light emission and non-light emission, and a fourth state of repeatedly flashing red light emission and non-light emission. The illuminating state may further include at least one state classified according to the scintillation pattern. The color of the light emitted by the illuminator 150 is not limited to green and red, and various modifications can be made to the color.

The illuminant 150 includes a first illuminator 151 disposed at the inlet end and a second illuminator 152 disposed at the outlet end. The light-emitting state of the first illuminant 151 at the entrance end can provide various information to the user. For example, the first state or the third state may indicate a state in which the product may be placed at the inlet end, and the second state or the fourth state may indicate a state in which the product cannot be placed at the inlet end. The light-emitting state of the second illuminator 152 at the exit end can provide various information to the user. For example, as will be described in detail later, the first state or the third state may indicate a state in which the ID information of the product has been properly scanned by the scanner 160, and the second state or the fourth state may represent at least one of the plurality of products. The ID information has not been properly scanned by the scanner 160.

The scanner 160 can scan product ID information (eg, barcode, QR code, and electronic code). ID information can be printed or attached to the outer surface of the product. The scanner 160 can sense the ID information attached to the product by scanning the ID information of the product over a 360° entire area of the product by including a plurality of scanning sensors, regardless of which direction the product is oriented.

For example, the scanner 160 may include a first scan sensor 161, a second scan sensor 162, and a third scan sensor 163. As described later, the first scan sensor 161 can scan product ID information attached to the bottom surface of the product conveyed on the transport unit 130. The second scan sensor 162 can scan the ID information attached to the surface of the product in the direction of travel d (front surface) or the top surface of the product, while the third scan sensor 163 can scan and attach to the product and travel ID information on the surface (back surface) in the opposite direction of direction d or on the top surface of the product. The embodiment is not limited thereto, and the third scanning sensor 163 may scan the ID information attached on the surface (front surface) of the traveling direction d of the product or the top surface of the product, and the second scanning sensor 162 may Scan the ID information attached to the surface of the product in the opposite direction to the direction of travel d (back surface) or the top surface of the product. For example, the scanner 160 may further include a scan sensor (not shown) for scanning ID information attached to both side surfaces of the product. As such, the scanner 160 can scan the ID information of the product in all directions.

Payment unit 170 can process payments related to the total price of the product being scanned. For example, payment unit 170 can make payment by obtaining payment method information from the user, transmitting the payment method information to a server (not shown), and receiving a payment permission from the server. The payment method information may include biometric information of the user. For example, the biometric information described above may be information extracted from a vein pattern recognized by the palm of the user. The payment method information may further include additional information to supplement the user's biometric information. For example, the above additional information may be a mobile phone number directly input by the user. The user can log in to his or her biometric information in advance and attach the information to the server for self-certification. The server may receive payment method information from the payment unit 170, permit payment when the payment method information is verified to be valid, and provide the result of the license to the payment unit 170.

The controller 110 can fully control the unmanned checkout device 100. The controller 110 can receive signals from respective units included in the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 and transmit the signals to the respective units, thereby controlling the respective units. To this end, the controller 110 can be connected to various units of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 in a wired or wireless manner to exchange data with the respective units.

The controller 110 can control the transfer unit 130 according to whether the sensor unit 120 senses an object. First, when the first sensor 121 senses an object, the controller 110 drives the transfer unit 130. When the transmitting unit 130 is being driven, the controller 110 can control the scanner 160 to scan product information, control the display 140 to display a screen image providing information to the user, and control the illuminator 150 to visually provide intuitive information to the user. . When the second sensor 122 senses an object, the controller 110 may control at least one of the plurality of transmitting portions included in the transmitting unit 130 to stop being driven, and provide payment related to the user through the display 140 and the illuminant 150. Information to guide the user to use the payment unit 170 for payment. The method by which the controller 110 controls the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 will be described in detail later.

The frame F, which can be understood as a part of the outside of the unmanned checkout device 100, may have a length larger than the width in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction d in the traveling direction d. The sensors 121a and 121b and the second sensor 122 of the first sensor 121 may be disposed on respective ones of the two longer edges of the four edges of the frame F. According to an example, the first sensor 121 may sense a user entering one end of the frame F and located in the first area, and the second sensor 122 may sense moving from the one end of the frame F in the traveling direction d And enter the user of the second area.

The transfer unit 130 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the transport unit 130 may include a first transport portion 131 and a second transport portion 132. The first transport portion 131 and the second transport portion 132 are ID information located under the product for scanning and attached to the bottom surface of the product. The first scan sensor 161 is separate. The first conveying portion 131 may include a drum R1 and a conveying belt that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drum R1 to convey the product in the traveling direction d. Likewise, the second conveying portion 132 may include a drum R2 and a conveying belt that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drum R2 to convey the product in the traveling direction d.

The product placed on the conveyor belt of the first conveying portion 131 can be conveyed in the traveling direction d according to the rotation of the first conveying portion 131, passes through the first scanning sensor 161, and is conveyed to the conveying belt of the second conveying portion 132. . In this process, the first scanning sensor 161 located between the first conveying portion 131 and the second conveying portion 132 can scan the ID information attached to the bottom surface of the product. The product can pass through the conveyor belt of the second transfer portion 132 and can be loaded on the frame F.

The first transfer portion 131 and the second transfer portion 132 may be equally driven in accordance with a drive control signal received from the controller 110. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first transfer portion 131 and the second transfer portion 132 may receive different drive control signals from the controller 110, respectively, and may be independently driven. Alternatively, the first transfer portion 131 and the second transfer portion 132 may be driven using the one drive control signal received from the controller 110 in other manners, so that the driving of the first transfer portion 131 and the drive of the second transfer portion 131 may be Set to different but still connected to each other.

3 is a plan view of a portion of the unmanned checkout device 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first sensor 121 including a pair of sensors 121c, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the frame F to face each other. When the sensor 121c senses the product P between the two sensing terminals, the conveying unit 130 rotates the drum to convey the product P in the traveling direction d. The product P can be loaded on the upper plate F1 of the frame F via the first transfer portion 131, the first scan sensor 161, and the second transfer portion 132.

The second sensor 122 can sense a person approaching to make a payment. When the second sensor 122 senses a person, the transfer unit 130 may be stopped from being driven. Alternatively, when the second sensor 122 senses a person, the first transfer portion 131 of the transfer unit 130 may be stopped, and the second transfer portion 132 of the transfer unit 130 may continue to be driven. After the purchaser of the product P places the product P on the first transfer portion 131, the purchaser can move to the vicinity of the second sensor 122 to pay for the product P and can be sensed by the second sensor 122. Therefore, when the purchaser moves to the vicinity of the second sensor 122, the product P can be transferred from the first transfer portion 131 to the second transfer portion 132, and then the second sensor 122 can sense the purchaser. In this case, the second transfer portion 132 can continue to be driven to continue the transfer of the product P.

When the purchaser moves to the second sensor 122, the subsequent purchaser can place his or her product on the first transfer portion 131. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the subsequent purchaser's product from being mixed with the previous purchaser's product, and it is necessary to prevent the scanner 160 from scanning the ID information of the subsequent purchaser's product. Therefore, when the second sensor 122 senses a person, the first transfer portion 131 of the drive transfer unit 130 may be stopped, so that the product placed on the first transfer portion 131 is not transferred to the second transfer portion 132, This prevents the subsequent purchaser's product from being mixed with the previous purchaser's product and prevents the scanner 160 from scanning the ID information of the subsequent purchaser's product.

According to an embodiment, the user can manually drive the transfer unit 130 by using the switches SW1 and SW2. The control by the switches SW1 and SW2 can take precedence over the automatic control by the controller 110 based on the sensor unit 120.

From the time when the payment unit 170 starts processing the payment to the time when the payment unit 170 receives the payment permission, the controller 110 may stop the transfer unit 130 from being driven. Therefore, after completing the payment of the first purchaser, the scanner 160 scans the product information of the second purchaser's product.

Although the first illuminant 151 and the second illuminant 152 each include the unit light emitting surface of FIG. 1, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first illuminant 151 and the second illuminant 152 may each include a plurality of light emitting surfaces that are separated from each other. The plurality of light emitting surfaces included in the first illuminant 151 may be controlled according to the same control signal, and the plurality of light emitting surfaces included in the second illuminant 152 may also be controlled according to the same control signal. The first illuminant 151 and the second illuminant 152 are independently controlled according to different control signals. For example, when the product transmitted by the transfer unit 130 is being scanned by the scanner 160, the first illuminant 151 can operate to notify the purchaser that the scan is in progress, and while the payment is being performed, the second illuminator 152 can operate. Payment is in progress to notify the purchaser and others.

4 is a perspective view of an unmanned checkout apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a part of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of FIG. Plane schematic.

As far as the transfer unit 130 is concerned, the unmanned checkout device 100 of the present embodiment is different from the unattended checkout device 100 of FIGS. 1 to 3. In the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport unit 130 includes a first transport section 131 and a second transport section 132. However, in the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the transfer unit 130 includes the first transfer portion 131 to the third transfer portion 133. The description made above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 is equally applicable to the other components of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

The transfer unit 130 of the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a first transfer portion 131, a second transfer portion 132, and a third transfer portion 133, the first transfer portion 131 and the second transfer portion 132 being located under the product The first scanning sensor 161 that scans the ID information attached to the bottom surface of the product is separated, and the third conveying portion 133 is located between the first conveying portion 131 and the second conveying portion 132. The first scan sensor 161 may be located between the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132. The first conveying portion 131 may be adjacent to the first region, and may include a drum R1 and a conveying belt that rotates according to the rotation of the drum R1 to convey the product in the traveling direction d. Likewise, the third conveying portion 133 may include a drum R3 and a conveying belt that conveys the product conveyed from the first conveying portion 131 in the traveling direction d in accordance with the rotation of the drum R3. The second conveying portion 132 may be adjacent to the second region, and may include a drum R2 and a conveying belt that conveys the product conveyed from the third conveying portion 133 in the traveling direction d according to the rotation of the drum R2.

The product placed on the conveyor belt of the first conveying portion 131 can be conveyed in the traveling direction d according to the rotation of the first conveying portion 131, and transferred to the third conveying portion 133. Then, the product placed on the conveyor belt of the third conveying portion 133 can be conveyed to the conveying belt of the second conveying portion 132 through the first scanning sensor 161. In this process, when ID information exists on the bottom surface of the product, the first scan sensor 161 located between the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 can scan the ID information. The above product may pass through the conveyor belt of the second conveying portion 132 and may be loaded on the frame F.

The first to third transfer portions 131 to 133 may be driven under the control of the controller 110. A more detailed description will now be made with reference to Figure 6, which is a plan view of a portion of the unmanned checkout device 100 of Figure 4.

When the first sensor 121 senses an object, the controller 110 may drive the transfer unit 130 to move the product P on the first transfer portion 131 to the second transfer portion 132 through the third transfer portion 133, and finally load to The upper plate F1 of the frame F. In this process, the scanner 160 scans the ID information of the transmitted product. In this state, when the first sensor 122 senses an object, the controller 110 stops the first transfer portion 131 from being driven.

The first purchaser of the purchased product approaches the first area of the unmanned checkout device 100 and places the product on the first transfer portion 131. Therefore, when the first sensor 121 senses the first purchaser as an object, the controller 110 may drive the transfer unit 130 to move the product on the first transfer portion 131 to the second through the third transfer portion 133. Transfer unit 132. If the action of placing the product on the first transfer portion 131 has been completed, the first purchaser moves to the second area where the payment is made. Therefore, when the second sensor 122 senses the first purchaser as an object, the controller 110 stops the first transfer portion 131 from being driven.

If there is a second purchaser other than the first purchaser, when the first purchaser moves from the first area to the second area, the second purchaser may place him or the first purchaser while the first purchaser has not completed the payment. Her product is placed on the first transfer portion 131. Therefore, the product that the second purchaser wants to purchase may be transferred from the first transfer portion 131 to the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132, and may be mixed with the product that the first purchaser desires to purchase. However, in the unmanned checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when the first purchaser moves from the first area to the second area and is then sensed by the second sensor 122, the controller 110 stops the first transfer unit. 131 so that it is not driven. Therefore, even if the second purchaser places his or her product on the first transfer portion 131 when the first purchaser has not completed the payment, the product to be purchased by the second purchaser can be maintained at the first transfer portion 131. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase and the product that the second purchaser wants to purchase.

After the second sensor 122 senses the object, the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 may be driven only for a predetermined period of time. The second sensor 122 that has sensed the object means that the first purchaser has moved to the second area, and therefore, the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase exists only in the third transfer portion 133 and/or the second On the transfer unit 132. Therefore, only the product information of these products must be scanned by the scanner 160, so the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 can be driven only for a predetermined period of time.

As described above, when the first sensor 121 senses an object, the controller 110 may drive the transport unit 130 to move the product on the first transport portion 131 to the second transport portion 132 through the third transport portion 133. However, when the second sensor 122 senses an object, even if the first sensor 121 senses an object, the controller 110 stops the first transfer portion 131 from being driven. This means a situation in which the first purchaser places the product to be purchased when both the first purchaser and the second purchaser are located near the first area and thus have been sensed by the first sensor 121. On the first transfer portion 131, then moving to the second region, therefore, when the first sensor 121 senses the second purchaser, the second sensor 122 senses the first purchaser. In this case, the controller 110 stops the first transfer portion 131 from being driven, and therefore, even if the second purchaser places the product he or she wants to purchase on the first transfer portion 131, it can be effectively avoided. This product is mixed with the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase.

Just as the second sensor 122 senses an object, even if the first sensor 121 senses an object, the controller 110 may stop the first transfer portion 131 from being driven. This means a situation in which when the first purchaser places the product he or she wants to purchase on the first conveying portion 131 and then moves to the second region and thus is sensed by the second sensor 122 The second purchaser approaches the first area and is sensed by the first sensor 121. In this case, the controller 110 stops the first transfer portion 131 from being driven, and therefore, even if the second purchaser places the product he or she wants to purchase on the first transfer portion 131, it can be effectively avoided. This product is mixed with the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase.

Therefore, the product on the first transfer portion 131 that stops driving is not scanned by the scanner 160. In other words, the scanner 160 scans the ID information of the product placed on the third transfer portion 133 or the second transfer portion 132. To this end, the second scan sensor 162 may be located above the third transfer portion 133, and the third scan sensor 163 may be located above the second transfer portion 132. As described above, the first scanning sensor 161 is located between the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132.

Even if the first conveying portion 131 is in the stopped state, if the product exists on the third conveying portion 133 and the second conveying portion 132, the controller 110 can continuously drive the third conveying portion 133 and the second conveying portion 132. Thereby, the scan of the product information of the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase is completed by the scanner 160. To this end, the sensor unit 120 may further include a transfer sensor 123 capable of sensing whether a product is present on the third transfer portion 133 or the second transfer portion 132. Although the unmanned checkout device 100 includes the two pairs of transfer sensors 123 in FIG. 6, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the unmanned checkout device 100 may include only one pair of transfer sensors 123 capable of sensing whether a product is present on the third transfer portion 133 or the second transfer portion 132, or according to the third transfer portion 133 and/or the second The conveying direction of the conveying portion 132 includes at least three pairs of conveying sensors 123.

In such a transfer unit 130, there is a space between the first transfer portion 131 and the third transfer portion 133, and there is a space between the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132. However, the interval between the first transfer portion 131 and the third transfer portion 133 may be smaller than the interval between the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 because the first scan sensor 161 is interposed between the third transfer portion Between the 133 and the second transfer portion 133, such a scanner is not interposed between the first transfer portion 131 and the third transfer portion 133.

The length of the first conveying portion 131 in the conveying direction d may be smaller than the length of the third conveying portion 133 in the conveying direction d and/or the length of the second conveying portion 132 in the conveying direction d. Since the first conveying portion 131 is included to prevent the products of different purchasers from mixing with each other, the first conveying portion 131 does not need to be long.

The user can manually drive the transfer unit 130 by using the switches SW1 and SW2. The control by the switches SW1 and SW2 can take precedence over the automatic control by the controller 110 based on the sensor unit 120.

From the time when the payment unit 170 starts processing the payment to the time when the payment unit 170 receives the payment permission, the controller 110 may stop the transfer unit 130 from being driven. Therefore, after completing the payment of the first purchaser, the scanner 160 scans the product information of the second purchaser's product.

Although the unmanned checkout device 100 has been described above, the embodiment is not limited thereto. In other words, the method and apparatus for controlling the unmanned checkout apparatus 100, as well as the unattended billing system using the method and apparatus, are also understood to fall within the scope of the present invention. The detailed description of the above unmanned checkout apparatus 100 is equally applicable to the method and apparatus for controlling the unmanned checkout apparatus 100, and the unmanned checkout system using the method and apparatus.

For example, the device used to control the unmanned checkout device 100 can control the unmanned checkout device 100 and thus can be understood to have the controller 110. In other words, the device control for controlling the unmanned checkout device 100 includes the sensor unit 120, the transfer unit 130, and the unmanned checkout device 100 of the scanner 160, and thus can be understood to include the controller 110.

The method of controlling the unmanned checkout device 100 can be understood as a method of controlling the unmanned checkout device 100 using a processor. In other words, the method of controlling the unmanned checkout device 100 is a method of controlling the unmanned checkout device 100 including the sensor unit 120, the transfer unit 130, the scanner 160, and the processor, and thus can be understood as the processor executing therein The method of controller 110 function. For example, a method of controlling an unmanned checkout device may include a scan operation and a stop operation. In the scanning operation, when the first sensor 121 senses an object, the processor may drive the transmitting unit 130, and when the transmitting unit 130 is driven, the processor may receive the product ID information scanned by the scanner 160. In the stop operation, when the second sensor 122 senses an object, the processor may stop at least one of the plurality of transfer portions included in the transfer unit 130 from being driven.

7 is a block diagram of a trusted payment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the paid payment system includes the paid payment device 100 and the server 200. The unattended device 100 and the server 200 can be connected to each other by the communication network 300.

In order to avoid obscuring the features of the present embodiment, FIG. 7 depicts only the components of the payment system that are considered to be relevant to the present embodiment. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will appreciate that the general components other than the components of FIG. 7 may be further included.

Communication network 300 connects unattended device 100 to server 200. For example, communication network 300 provides a connection path to connect unattended device 100 to server 200 and then to or receive packet data from server 200. Communication network 300 may include, but is not limited to, a wired network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and an integrated services digital network (ISDN); or a wireless network For example, wireless LAN, CDMA, Bluetooth, satellite communication, 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE.

The server 200 can communicate with the payment unit 170 of the unchecked device 100 and license payment. The server 200 can store the payment method information of the user who is logged in in advance. The server 200 can further store bank account information linked to the user's payment method information. The above bank account information may be a bank account from which funds can be withdrawn or a credit card that can be used for withdrawal or payment. The server 200 is not limited to an example including only a single server device as shown in FIG. 7, and the server 200 may include a plurality of server devices. For example, server 200 can include a card company server and a distribution management center server. Therefore, the authentication of the payment method information may include the primary authentication performed by the distribution management center server for authenticating the payment method information, and the secondary authentication performed by the card company server for authenticating the bank account information corresponding to the payment method information.

The description made above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 is equally applicable to the unmanned checkout apparatus 100.

The unattended device 100 includes a controller 110. The controller 110 can correspond to at least one processor or can include at least one processor. Thus, controller 110 can be included for driving in another hardware device such as a microprocessor or general purpose computer system.

The controller 110 controls a series of operations for product information scanning, wherein when the first sensor 121 senses an object on the inlet end, the drive transfer unit 130 transmits the product in the traveling direction d, and the scan is passing through the scanner Product information of the product of 160, and when the second sensor 122 senses an object on the exit end, at least one of the plurality of transport sections included in the transport unit 130 is stopped.

The scanner 160 may further include a separate reader (not shown) for the user to manually and directly scan the ID information of the product to be purchased. The controller 110 controls an additional scan processing operation for displaying unscanned product information on the second display 142, so that when the product information has not been scanned by the scanner 160, the "unscanned product" exists, the user can manually use the reader. Scan product information and obtain ID information of scanned product information by using a reader.

The controller 110 controls the payment for the total product price based on the obtained product information. The controller 110 provides the payment unit 170 with the total payment price. The payment unit 170 transmits the payment method information received from the user to the server 200, and receives the payment permission related to the total payment price from the server 200. When the payment unit 170 receives the payment permission from the server 200, the controller 110 can control the display 140 to display a screen image provided in accordance with the payment completion.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling an unmanned checkout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The flowchart of Fig. 8 contains the operations continuously processed in the unmanned checkout system of Figs. 1 through 7. Thus, although omitted, the above description for the components of FIGS. 1 through 7 applies equally to the flowchart of FIG. The processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is controlled by the controller 110.

An example will now be described in detail, wherein the unattended billing method according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed by the components of FIGS. 1 through 7.

First, in operation 51, the first sensor 121 senses an object. When the first sensor 121 senses an object in operation 51, the controller 110 performs an operation 52 to start scanning.

In operation 52, the controller 110 drives the transfer unit 130 to scan product information of products that pass through the scanner 160 and move.

When the second sensor 122 senses an object in operation 53, operation 52 is complete and operation 54 is performed.

Alternatively, when the second sensor 122 senses an object in operation 53, the first transfer portion 131 stops being driven. In this case, just as the second sensor 122 senses an object, even if the first sensor 121 senses an object, the first conveying portion 131 is stopped without being driven. When the second sensor 122 senses an object, even if the first sensor 121 senses an object, the first transfer portion 131 may be stopped without being driven. Therefore, even if the second purchaser places the product on the first transfer portion 131 when the first purchaser reaches the second region (that is, the sensing region of the second sensor 122), the second purchaser's product does not Will be mixed with the products of the first purchaser. In this state, the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 can be kept driven, and thus the scanner 160 can scan the product information of the products on the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132. After the second sensor 122 senses the object, the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 may be driven only for a predetermined period of time. The second sensor 122 that has sensed the object means that the first purchaser has moved to the second area, and therefore, the product that the first purchaser wants to purchase exists only in the third transfer portion 133 and/or the second On the transfer unit 132. Therefore, only the product information of these products must be scanned by the scanner 160, so the third transfer portion 133 and the second transfer portion 132 can be driven only for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the unattended method proceeds to operation 54.

In operation 54, the payment unit 170 receives payment method information for paying the total payment price of the scanned product from the user, and transmits the payment method information to the server 200 to receive the payment permission from the server 200, thereby completing the payment.

9 is a flow chart of operation 52 of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the scan starts, the controller 110 performs operations 521, 522, 523, and 524.

First, in operation 521, the controller 110 controls the illuminator 150. Operation 521 is a first lighting control operation that controls the illuminant 150 in accordance with sensing of the object by the first sensor 121.

In detail, the controller 110 notifies that the product can be placed by turning on the first illuminant 151 on the inlet end in the first state. The first state may be a preset state in which the first illuminant 151 is turned on, so that the user can intuitively recognize the meaning of "on". For example, in the first state, the first illuminant 151 may be turned on to be green, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first illuminant 151 may be turned on in at least one preset color, thereby generating a positive impression, such as green. , blue and white.

In operation 521, the controller 110 may turn on the second illuminant 152 on the outlet end in the second state to notify that payment has not been made. The second state may be a preset state in which the second illuminant 152 is turned on, so that the user can intuitively recognize the meaning of "stop". For example, in the second state, the second illuminant 152 may be turned into red, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the second illuminant 152 may be turned on in at least one preset color, thereby generating a negative impression, such as yellow. .

According to an embodiment, the controller 110 can turn on the first illuminant 151 in the first state when the current user completes the payment, so that the next user can place the product. According to the present embodiment, before the operation 521 is performed, the first illuminant 151 may have been turned on in the first state, and in operation 521, the controller 110 may maintain the on state of the first illuminant 151.

According to the present embodiment, when the product can be placed, and thus the first illuminant 151 is turned on in the first state, the operation 521 is performed, and in this case, the controller 110 can change the conduction state of the first illuminant 151. It is the third state. The third state may be a state of emitting light in the same color as the first state but in a pattern different from the first state. For example, the first state may have a pattern of continuous illumination, and the third state may have a pattern that emits light while blinking. The first state may be a state in which the product can be placed but the transfer unit 130 is not driven, and the third state is a state in which the transfer unit 130 is driven.

According to the present embodiment, the controller 110 can turn on the second illuminator 152 in the second state when the current user completes the payment so that the next user can place the product. According to the present embodiment, before the operation 521 is performed, the second illuminant 152 may have been turned on in the second state, and in operation 521, the controller 110 may maintain the conductive state of the second illuminant 152.

In operation 522, the controller 110 controls the transfer unit 130. In detail, the controller 110 drives the drum R to rotate the conveyor belt so that the product placed on the conveyor belt is conveyed in the traveling direction d.

In operation 523, the controller 110 controls the scanner 160. In detail, the controller 110 scans the ID information of the product transmitted by the transmitting unit 130 in the traveling direction d and reaching the scanning area of the scanner 160. The controller 110 can continuously scan multiple pieces of ID information of a plurality of products and cumulatively store the scanned plurality of pieces of ID information.

In operation 524, the controller 110 controls the display of the display 140. In detail, the controller 110 may control the first display 141 facing the user who places the product at the entrance end to display the ID information of the scanned product in real time. For example, the controller 110 can control the display 140 to display multiple pieces of ID information of the N products scanned most recently, where N is a number equal to or greater than 1, and can be appropriately set according to the environment of the display 140. The number N can be set to 1 to display only one product that has been scanned most recently on the first display 141. The user can identify the product scan in real time as the product is placed. The controller 110 can control the second display 142 on the exit end to display a list of all scanned products and the total product price.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of operation 523 of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10, in operation 5231, the scanner 160 identifies a product entering the scanning area. When the scanner 160 identifies a product entering the scanning area, operation 5232 is performed.

In operation 5232, the scanner 160 may identify the ID information from the image of the product identified in operation 5231. When the ID information of the product is identified in operation 5232, operation 5233 is performed. When the ID information of the product is not identified in operation 5232, operation 5234 is performed.

In operation 5233, the controller 110 stores the ID information recognized by the scanner 160 in the memory. In detail, the ID information is added to the scanned product list and stored in the memory. When the product is scanned, the scanned product list including the multiple ID information of the product can be stored in the memory.

In operation 5234, the controller 110 may add an image of the product identified in operation 5231 to the unscanned product list, and may store the unscanned product list containing the image of the product in the memory. An image of the product can be obtained to identify entry of the product in operation 5231 or ID information of the product is identified in operation 5232.

According to the present embodiment, operation 524 of FIG. 9 may be an operation of distinguishing a scanned product list from an unscanned product list and displaying it on the second display 142. Alternatively, operation 524 of FIG. 9 may be an operation of displaying a list of scanned products and a button for checking a list of unscanned products. In this case, when the user selects a button for checking the unscanned product list, the controller 110 enumerates and displays an image of the unscanned product on the second display 142, and induces the user through the sound or the screen image. Manually scan the ID information of unscanned products. When the user scans the ID information of the unscanned product, the controller 110 adds the ID information scanned by the user to the scanned product list.

11 is a flow chart of operation 51 of FIG. Operation 51 is a condition relating to the start of the scanning operation.

Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 110 confirms in operation 511 whether the second sensor 122 senses an object to start a scanning operation.

When the second sensor 122 senses an object, the operation 51 does not proceed to operation 512, so even when the second sensor 122 senses an object and the first sensor 121 senses an object, the figure The method of 8 does not proceed to operation 52 of FIG.

When the object sensing state of the second sensor 122 is released in operation 511, that is, when it is recognized that there is no object on the sensing area of the second sensor 122, operation 51 proceeds to operation 512.

When the first sensor 121 senses an object in operation 512, the controller 110 performs a subsequent operation, that is, operation 52, to start a scanning operation.

Although not shown in FIG. 11, according to an embodiment, prior to operation 511, operation 51 of FIG. 8 may further include an operation of controller 110 to confirm whether payment unit 170 has received a final payment license after starting payment. Therefore, when the payment unit 170 has not received the final payment permission after the previous user starts the payment, the controller 110 confirms that the previous user is paying, and operation 51 does not proceed to operation 511.

Starting the payment means that the user checks the list of products and the price displayed on the second display 142, then selects the payment, and enters a state in which the user can input the payment method information to the payment unit 170.

In other words, when the payment for the first user has started and has not ended, the product of the second user after the first user will not start scanning. When the first user is present in the sensing area of the second sensor 122, the second user's product does not begin scanning even if the first user's payment has ended. When the payment of the first user is completed, the first user no longer exists in the sensing area of the second sensor 122, and the product of the second user or the second user is first sensed When the sensor 121 senses, the second user's product begins to scan.

According to the present embodiment, from the time when the payment unit 170 starts processing the payment until the time when the payment unit 170 receives the payment permission, the controller 110 can stop the transfer unit 130 from being driven, regardless of the sensing of the sensor unit 120. .

According to the embodiment, since the second user's product starts to be transmitted after the first user completes the payment, picks up his or her product, and leaves the second area, the first user and the second can be prevented. The user's products are mixed and stacked.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of operation 54 of FIG. Operation 54 is related to payment.

Referring to FIG. 12, in operation 540, the controller 110 controls the illuminator 150. Operation 540 is a second lighting control operation that controls the illuminant 150 in accordance with sensing of the object by the second sensor 122.

In operation 540, the controller 110 controls the second illuminant 152 to illuminate in the first state to notify the second sensor 122 that the user has entered. The first state may be a preset state in which the first illuminant 151 is turned on, so that the user can intuitively recognize the meaning of "on". For example, in the first state, the second illuminant 152 can illuminate in at least one preset color to produce a positive impression, such as green, blue, and white.

In operation 540, the controller 110 may control the first illuminant 151 on the inlet end to illuminate in the second state to prevent the next user from entering the entry end and placing the product thereon when the previous user made the payment. . The second state may be a preset state in which the second illuminant 152 is turned on, so that the user can intuitively recognize the meaning of "stop". For example, in the second state, the first illuminant 151 may illuminate in at least one preset color, thereby generating negative impressions such as red and yellow.

In operation 541, the controller 110 receives an acknowledgment regarding the user of the product to be paid. For example, the user enters a confirmation by checking the list of products displayed on the second display 142 and then selecting the "Payment" button, and when the "Payment" button is selected, the payment unit 170 begins processing the payment.

If there is an unscanned product present, thus causing the second display 142 to display an unscanned product list, the "Payment" button is deactivated. The user needs to manually scan the ID information of the unscanned product by using the reader, or put the unscanned product into the scanner 160 again for automatic scanning, so the scanned ID information is added to the scanned product list. The product corresponding to the scanned ID information is deleted from the unscanned product list. When the ID information of the unscanned product is scanned, the "Payment" button can be enabled, and the user can select the "Payment" button.

When the payment is started, the user enters a state in which the user can input the payment method information to the payment unit 170. In operation 542, the user enters payment method information into payment unit 170. The payment method information may be biometric information of the user. Payment method information may include biometric information of the user as well as additional information (such as a phone number).

In operation 543, the payment unit 170 transmits the payment method information of the user to the server 200.

In operation 544, the server 200 authenticates the payment method information received in operation 543. In operation 544, the server 200 confirms whether the payment method information received in operation 543 is the same as the information previously registered in the payment method information database (DB) stored in the server 200, and in operation 543. The payment method information is verified to be valid when the payment method information received is the same as the pre-registered information.

In operation 545, the server 200 transmits the authentication result to the payment unit 170. If the authentication result transmitted in operation 545 is "authentication failure", operation 54 in FIG. 8 does not proceed to operation 546 and ends, and controller 110 may control second display 142 to display information regarding authentication failure and payment method information re Enter the guide information.

Although not shown in FIG. 12, between operation 545 and operation 546, the controller 110 can control the second display 142 to display the results of the authentication related to the payment method information. Further, the controller 110 can receive the user's final payment permission request from the touch screen of the second display 142 and can perform operation 546.

In operation 546, the payment unit 170 requests a payment permission from the server 200 for the payment using the payment method information.

In operation 547, the server 200 permits a final payment.

In operation 548, the server 200 transmits the final payment permission result to the payment unit 170.

In operation 549, the controller 110 displays the payment permission result on the second display 142 so that the user can identify the payment permission and complete the payment in the calculation.

In operation 549, payment unit 170 may output a receipt.

In operations 543 to 548, communication between the unattended device 100 and the server 200 is performed at the payment unit 170, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, communication between the unattended device 100 and the server 200 can be performed at the payment unit 170 or the controller 110.

13 is a flow chart of another embodiment of operation 544 of FIG.

Referring to Figure 13, the authentication of the server 200 can be performed in two stages. According to the embodiment, the server 200 may include a first server 210 and a second server 220. The first server 210 and the second server 220 may be physically distinguished from each other, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The first server 210 and the second server 220 may be functionally different from each other. The first server 210 can manage bank account information associated with payment method information, such as credit card information, and the second server 220 can manage payment method information, such as biometric information, and can include an authentication module for verifying payment. Whether the mode information is valid.

In operation 5441, the first server 210 requests the second server 220 to authenticate the payment method information received in operation 543. In operation 5442, the second server 220 can verify whether the payment method information is valid.

In operation 5443, the second server 220 transmits the result of the authentication of the payment method information to the first server 210. If the authentication result transmitted by the second server 220 is an authentication failure, the operation 544 in FIG. 12 does not proceed to operation 5444 and ends, and the controller 110 may control the second display 142 to display information about the authentication failure and the payment method information. Enter the guide information. If the authentication result transmitted by the second server 220 is that the authentication is successful, the operation 544 in FIG. 12 proceeds to operation 5444.

In operation 5444, the first server 210 authenticates the bank account information corresponding to the payment method information received in operation 543.

When the bank account information corresponding to the payment method information is verified to be valid in operation 5444, and the payment is permitted in operation 547 of FIG. 12, the bank corresponding to the payment method information received in operation 543 is used. Account information, such as a user's credit card, to pay for the price of the product.

Payment unit 170 can process payments related to the total price of the product being scanned. According to an embodiment, the payment unit 170 obtains payment method information from the user for payment, transmits the payment method information to a server (not shown), and receives the payment permission from the server. The payment method information may include biometric information of the user. For example, the biometric information described above may be information extracted from a vein pattern recognized by the palm of the user. The payment method information may further include additional information to supplement the user's biometric information. For example, the above additional information may be a mobile phone number directly input by the user. The user can pre-connect his or her biometric information with additional information and log the information into the server for self-certification. The server may receive payment method information from the payment unit 170, permit payment when the payment method information passes verification, and provide the result of the license to the payment unit 170.

According to the above embodiment, when the second sensor 122 senses an object, the controller 110 stops the transfer unit 130 from being driven. However, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in different ways. For example, when the user checks the list of products displayed on the second display 142 and then selects the "Payment" button, the controller 110 can stop the transfer unit 130 from being driven.

According to the above embodiment, just as the first user performs payment after the scan is completed, the controller 110 can provide an advertisement on the first display 141 to let the second user who is waiting in line see the advertisement.

According to the above embodiment, when scanning is in progress, the controller 110 can provide an advertisement on the second display 142 for other users to see the advertisement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an unmanned checkout device, a method of controlling an unmanned checkout device, a computer program for executing the method, and a device for controlling the unmanned checkout device, the product placed by the user is automatically transmitted and scanned, and there is no In the case of an employee, the price of the product is paid, and the user directly enters the payment method information to pay the price of the product. Therefore, it is possible to save personnel expenses for hiring employees.

An unmanned checkout device, a method of controlling an unmanned checkout device, a computer program for executing the method, and a device for controlling an unmanned checkout device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the user is sensed by the sensor, thereby conveying the product The drive with the belt is automatically controlled. Therefore, to avoid mixing products of different users.

An unmanned checkout device, a method of controlling an unmanned checkout device, a computer program for executing the method, and a device for controlling an unattended checkout device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and information related to product scanning and payment is intuitively used by using an illuminant Provided to the user. Therefore, the user can be properly guided without employee guidance, which is very convenient for the user.

The method according to the embodiment of Figures 7 through 13 can be written as a computer program and can be implemented in a general-purpose digital computer that executes the above program using a computer readable recording medium. Examples of the above computer readable recording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROM or DVD), and the like.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, the embodiments of the invention Variety.

100‧‧‧Unmanned checkout device

110‧‧‧ Controller

120‧‧‧Sensor unit

121‧‧‧first sensor

121a, 121b, 121c, 123‧‧‧ sensors

122‧‧‧Second sensor

130‧‧‧Transfer unit

131‧‧‧First Transfer Department

132‧‧‧Second Transfer Department

133‧‧‧ Third Transfer Department

140‧‧‧ display

141‧‧‧First display

142‧‧‧second display

150‧‧‧Lights

151‧‧‧First illuminant

152‧‧‧second illuminant

160‧‧‧Scanner

161‧‧‧First Scanning Sensor

162‧‧‧Second scanning sensor

163‧‧‧ Third Scanning Sensor

170‧‧‧Payment unit

200‧‧‧Server

210‧‧‧First server

220‧‧‧Second server

300‧‧‧Communication network

51, 511, 512, 52, 521, 522, 523, 5231, 5232, 5233, 5234, 524, 53, 54, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 5441, 5442, 5443, 5444, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549‧‧‧ operations

D‧‧‧direction of travel

F‧‧‧Frame

F1‧‧‧Upper board

P‧‧‧ products

R, R1, R2, R3‧‧‧ rollers

SW1, SW2‧‧‧ switch

The above and/or other aspects will be more clearly understood from the following description of the embodiments, in which:

1 is a perspective view of an unmanned checkout device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the unmanned checkout device of FIG. 1. 4 is a perspective view of an unmanned checkout device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Fig. 1. Figure 6 is a plan view of a portion of the unmanned checkout device of Figure 4. 7 is a block diagram of a trusted payment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling an unmanned checkout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a detailed flow diagram of operation 52 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a detailed flow chart of operation 523 of FIG. Figure 11 is a detailed flow diagram of operation 51 of Figure 8, wherein operation 51 is related to the condition in which the scanning operation is initiated. Figure 12 is a detailed flow diagram of operation 54 of Figure 8, wherein operation 54 is associated with a payment. 13 is a flow chart of another embodiment of operation 544 of FIG.

Claims (38)

An unmanned checkout device, comprising: a sensor unit, including a first sensor for sensing an object in the first area, and a second sensor for sensing an object in the second area; a transmitting unit, For transmitting the product from the first area to the second area in a traveling direction, the transmitting unit includes a plurality of transmitting portions; a scanner for scanning identification (ID) information of the product; and controlling And driving the transmitting unit when the first sensor senses an object, receiving the ID information of the product scanned by the scanner when the transmitting unit is being driven, and At least one of the plurality of conveying portions is stopped from being driven when the second sensor senses an object. The unmanned checkout device of claim 1, further comprising a payment unit for processing a payment regarding a total price of the product scanned by the scanner, wherein the processing is started from the payment unit The moment of payment until the time the payment unit receives the payment permission, the controller stops the transmitting unit from being driven. The unmanned checkout device of claim 1, further comprising an illuminator for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state, wherein the controller is configured according to the first sensing Whether the device and the second sensor sense an object to control a lighting state of the illuminator. The unmanned checkout device of claim 3, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminant, and The controller controls the first illuminator to emit light in the first state when the first sensor senses an object, and when the second sensor senses an object, The controller controls the second illuminator to emit light in the first state. The unmanned checkout device of claim 3, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminant, and The controller controls the second illuminator to emit light in the second state when the first sensor senses an object, and when the second sensor senses an object, The controller controls the first illuminator to emit light in the second state. The unmanned checkout device of claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying a screen image, wherein the display comprises: a first display; and a second display closer to the first display a second area, and the controller controls the second display to display a list of products scanned by the scanner and to control products scanned by the first display from the scanner in a scanned order Displays the information of the preset number of scanned products. The unmanned checkout device of claim 1, wherein the transfer unit includes a first transfer portion adjacent to the first region, a second transfer portion adjacent to the second region, and a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and when the second sensor senses an object, the controller stops the first transfer portion It is not driven. The unmanned checkout device of claim 7, wherein when the second sensor senses an object, the controller stops the operation even if the first sensor senses an object The first transfer portion is not driven. The unmanned checkout device of claim 7, wherein the controller stops when the second sensor senses an object even if the first sensor senses an object The first transfer portion is not driven. The unmanned checkout device of claim 7, wherein the controller maintains the third transfer portion and the device when the product is present on the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion The second transfer portion, or the controller maintains driving the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion even if the first transfer portion is in a stopped state within a predetermined period of time. The unmanned checkout device of claim 10, wherein the sensor unit further comprises a transfer sensor for sensing whether a product is present in the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion on. The unmanned checkout device of claim 7, wherein the scanner scans ID information of a product existing on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion. The unmanned checkout device of claim 7, wherein the scanner comprises: a first scan sensor located between the second transfer portion and the third transfer portion; a detector located above the third transfer portion; and a third scan sensor located above the second transfer portion. A method for controlling an unmanned checkout device by using a processor, the unmanned checkout device comprising: a sensor unit including a first sensor for sensing an object in the first area, and for sensing a second sensor of the object in the two regions; a transfer unit for transferring the product from the first region to the second region in a traveling direction, the transfer unit comprising a plurality of transport portions; To scan identification (ID) information of the product; and the processor, the method comprising: a scanning operation, wherein the processor drives the transmitting unit when the first sensor senses an object And when the transmitting unit is being driven, the processor receives the ID information of the product scanned by the scanner; and stops an operation, wherein when the second sensor senses an object The processor stops at least one of the plurality of transfer portions from being driven. The method of claim 14, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises a payment unit for processing a payment regarding a total price of the product scanned by the scanner, and the method further Included: a stop operation in which the processor stops the transfer unit from being driven when the payment unit begins processing the payment until the payment unit receives the payment permission. The method of claim 14, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises an illuminant for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state, and the method further comprises: a first illumination control operation that controls an illumination state of the illumination body according to whether the first sensor senses an object; and a second illumination control operation that is sensed according to whether the second sensor senses An object controls the state of illumination of the illuminator. The method of claim 16, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminator, the first The illumination control operation includes turning on the first illuminator in the first state when the first sensor senses an object, and the second illuminating control operation includes when the second illuminator When the object is sensed, the second illuminant is turned on in the first state. The method of claim 16, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminator, the first The illuminating control operation includes turning on the second illuminator in the second state when the first sensor senses an object, and the second illuminating control operation includes when the second illuminator When the object is sensed, the first illuminant is turned on in the second state. The method of claim 14, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises a display for displaying a screen image, the display comprising: a first display; and a second display, than the first The display is closer to the second region, and the method further comprises displaying a list of products scanned by the scanner on the second display and from the first display in the order in which they were scanned The information scanned by the scanner displays a preset number of scanned products. The method of claim 14, wherein: the transfer unit includes a first transfer portion adjacent to the first region, a second transfer portion adjacent to the second region, and a location a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and the stopping operation includes the processor stopping the first transfer portion when the second sensor senses an object And the operation that makes it not driven. The method of claim 20, wherein when the second sensor senses an object, the processor stops the first transmission even if the first sensor senses an object But it is not driven. The method of claim 20, wherein the processor stops the first transfer even when the second sensor senses an object, even if the first sensor senses an object But it is not driven. The method of claim 20, wherein when the product is present on the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion, the processor maintains driving even if the first transfer portion is in a stopped state The third transfer unit and the second transfer unit. The method of claim 20, wherein the scanning operation comprises scanning ID information of a product present on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion. A computer program stored on a medium to perform the method described in claim 14 by using a computer. An apparatus for controlling an unmanned checkout apparatus, the unmanned checkout apparatus comprising: a sensor including a first sensor for sensing an object in the first area, and a second to sense an object in the second area a second sensor; a transfer unit for transferring the product from the first area to the second area in a traveling direction, the transfer unit including a plurality of transfer portions; and a scanner for scanning the product Identification (ID) information, the device comprising a controller for driving the transmitting unit when the first sensor senses an object, and receiving by the scanner when the transmitting unit is being driven Scanning the ID information of the product, and stopping at least one of the plurality of transport portions from being driven when the second sensor senses an object. The device of claim 26, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises a payment unit for processing a payment regarding a total price of the product scanned by the scanner, and from the payment The controller stops the transmitting unit from being driven when the unit begins processing the payment until the payment unit receives the payment permission. The device of claim 26, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises an illuminant for illuminating in a preset first state or a preset second state, and the controller is Whether the first sensor and the second sensor sense an object to control a lighting state of the illuminant. The device of claim 28, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminator, and when The controller controls the first illuminator to emit light in the first state when the first sensor senses an object, and the controller when the second sensor senses an object The second illuminant is controlled to emit light in the first state. The device of claim 28, wherein: the illuminator comprises: a first illuminator; and a second illuminator closer to the second region than the first illuminator, and when The controller controls the second illuminator to emit light in the second state when the first sensor senses an object, and the controller when the second sensor senses an object The first illuminant is controlled to emit light in the second state. The device of claim 26, wherein: the unmanned checkout device further comprises a display for displaying a screen image, the display comprising: a first display; and a second display, than the first a display being closer to the second area, and the controller controlling the second display to display a list of products scanned by the scanner and controlling the first display to be scanned from the scan in the order The product scanned by the device displays the information of the preset number of scanned products. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the transport unit comprises a first transport portion adjacent to the first region, a second transport portion adjacent to the second region, and located in the a third transfer portion between the first transfer portion and the second transfer portion, and when the second sensor senses an object, the controller stops the first transfer portion from being not drive. The device of claim 32, wherein when the second sensor senses an object, the controller stops the first transmission even if the first sensor senses an object But it is not driven. The device of claim 32, wherein when the second sensor senses an object, the controller stops the first transmission even if the first sensor senses an object But it is not driven. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the controller maintains driving when a product is present on the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion even if the first transfer portion is in a stopped state The third transfer portion and the second transfer portion, or the controller maintains driving the third transfer portion and the second transfer portion for a preset time. The device of claim 35, wherein the sensor further comprises a transfer sensor for sensing whether a product is present on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion. The device of claim 32, wherein the scanner scans ID information of a product present on the third transfer portion or the second transfer portion. The device of claim 32, wherein the scanner comprises: a first scan sensor located between the second transfer portion and the third transfer portion; a second scan sensor, Located above the third transfer portion; and a third scan sensor located above the second transfer portion.