WO1993015636A1 - Automatic scanning device - Google Patents

Automatic scanning device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1993015636A1
WO1993015636A1 PCT/EP1992/002978 EP9202978W WO9315636A1 WO 1993015636 A1 WO1993015636 A1 WO 1993015636A1 EP 9202978 W EP9202978 W EP 9202978W WO 9315636 A1 WO9315636 A1 WO 9315636A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
self
scanning system
light beam
light grid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP1992/002978
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Dominik Widmaier
Original Assignee
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft filed Critical Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft
Publication of WO1993015636A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993015636A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
    • G06K7/10861—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels
    • G06K7/10871—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F9/00—Shop, bar, bank or like counters
    • A47F9/02—Paying counters
    • A47F9/04—Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
    • A47F9/046—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters
    • A47F9/047—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
    • G07G1/0054—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a self-scanning system with two conveyor belts and a light grid with a horizontally extending light beam as a control element.
  • the common control systems of self-scanning systems work in such a way that a light curtain may be broken once if the corresponding article has been correctly recognized beforehand.
  • the light grid only provides the information, light grid interrupted, regardless of how many and at which point the light beams are interrupted. This makes it possible, after one of the beams has been interrupted, to place further articles on the conveyor belt without this being registered. Only if the light beam is interrupted again after it has been released again without another article being scanned is an incorrect operation detected.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a control system in which the above-mentioned disadvantage is avoided.
  • the self-scanning system is designed in accordance with the invention in such a way that each light beam is evaluated individually.
  • the area determined can be used to determine whether the area delimited by the light grids is interrupted at several non-contiguous points. One can thus determine whether there are two hands in the controlled area. The point in time at which the light grid is interrupted can also be determined. The interrupted area can even be compared with the dimensions of the scanned article.
  • a Z axis also arises (three-coordinate light grid arrangement). This makes it possible to recognize and distinguish between a movement in or out of the space delimited by the light grid. If you now allow only one movement into the area delimited by the light grid and then one movement out for each article recognized by the scanner, you have a good control. The customer can no longer place unscanned articles on the belt with his second hand. However, if the customer places two articles on the belt at the same time instead of one article, this structure cannot yet be seen.
  • the cashier can be given an acoustic or optical signal.
  • a further control possibility also arises if the cashier delays the articles which have been scanned on a screen by the time it takes for the articles from being placed on the belt to them;
  • the cashier compares the items displayed on the screen, as well as their order, with the items that arrive on the tape one after the other.
  • the time in which the items arrive at the cashier with a delay is determined by the belt speed and the length of time that the belt switches on.
  • FIG. 1 shows a scanning system according to the invention with a light grid in the X and Y directions
  • Figure 2 shows a known scanning system with only one light grid in the Y direction.
  • the system consists of a lead belt 1 for the articles scanned by the scanner and a further belt 2 for the articles.
  • the Y light grid 4 is arranged behind the scanner 3, above which a customer display 5 and four further displays 6 for "scanner-free”, “scanner-occupied”, well scanned and poorly scanned are provided. Behind the ' Y-
  • Figure 1 shows the same design as the arrangement of Figure 2, but now the light grid consists of a 0 light grid in the Y direction and a further light grid in the X direction, i.e. now light beams are emitted in mutually perpendicular directions, whereby a flat coverage of the control area is achieved.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

An automatic scanning device has two conveyor belts and a light grating with a horizontal light beam as control member. Such devices have the disadvantage that when one of the beams is interrupted, further articles may be laid on the belt without any possibility of registering it. To avoid this disadvantage, each light beam is individually evaluated and in addition light gratings with beams radiating in the vertical and horizontal directions are used.

Description

SelbstscanninganlägeSelf-scanning systems
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Selbstscanninganlage mit zwei Transportbändern und einem Lichtgitter mit horizontal verlau¬ fendem Lichtstrahl als Kontrollorgan.The invention relates to a self-scanning system with two conveyor belts and a light grid with a horizontally extending light beam as a control element.
Die gängigen Kontrollsysteme von Selbstscanninganlagen arbei¬ ten so, daß ein Lichtgitter einmal durchbrochen werden darf, wenn vorher der entsprechende Artikel richtig erkannt worden ist. Das Lichtgitter liefert dabei lediglich die Information, Lichtgitter unterbrochen, unabhängig davon, wieviele und an welcher Stelle die Lichtstrahlen unterbrochen sind. Dadurch ist es möglich, nachdem einer der Strahlen unterbrochen ist, weitere Artikel auf das Transportband zu legen, ohne dal3 dies registriert wird. Lediglich wenn der Lichtstrahl, nachdem er wieder freigegeben wurde, erneut unterbrochen wird, ohne daß die Scannung eines weiteren Artikels erfolgte, wird eine Fehl¬ bedienung erkannt.The common control systems of self-scanning systems work in such a way that a light curtain may be broken once if the corresponding article has been correctly recognized beforehand. The light grid only provides the information, light grid interrupted, regardless of how many and at which point the light beams are interrupted. This makes it possible, after one of the beams has been interrupted, to place further articles on the conveyor belt without this being registered. Only if the light beam is interrupted again after it has been released again without another article being scanned is an incorrect operation detected.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Kontrollsystem anzugeben, bei dem der oben genannte Nachteil vermieden wird.The object of the present invention is to provide a control system in which the above-mentioned disadvantage is avoided.
Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung die Selbst¬ scanninganlage derart ausgebildet, daß jeder Lichtstrahl ein¬ zeln ausgewertet wird.To achieve this object, the self-scanning system is designed in accordance with the invention in such a way that each light beam is evaluated individually.
Dadurch kann man feststellen, in welcher Höhe das Lichtgitter unterbrochen wird. Es kann somit ein zeitliches Hintereinander von Unterbrechungen an verschiedenen Stellen des Lichtgitters erkannt werden. Eine weitere Verbesserung der Kontrolle erhält man dadurch, daß das Lichtgitter zusätzlich mit vertikal verlaufenden Lichtstrahlen ausgerüstet ist.This allows you to determine the height at which the light curtain is interrupted. A chronological succession of interruptions at different points on the light grid can thus be recognized. A further improvement in the control is obtained by the fact that the light grid is additionally equipped with vertically extending light beams.
Dadurch ist es möglich, die Fläche der Unterbrechung zu ermit¬ teln. Durch die ermittelte Fläche kann man feststellen, ob die durch die Lichtgitter begrenzte Fläche an mehreren, nicht zu¬ sammenhängenden Stellen unterbrochen wird. Man kann also fest¬ stellen, ob sich zwei Hände in dem kontrollierten Bereich be- finden. Auch der Zeitpunkt, zu dem das Lichtgitter unterbro¬ chen wird, kann festgestellt werden. Es kann sogar die unter¬ brochene Fläche mit den Dimensionen des abgetasteten Artikels verglichen werden.This makes it possible to determine the area of the interruption. The area determined can be used to determine whether the area delimited by the light grids is interrupted at several non-contiguous points. One can thus determine whether there are two hands in the controlled area. The point in time at which the light grid is interrupted can also be determined. The interrupted area can even be compared with the dimensions of the scanned article.
Ordnet man das Lichtgitter für die X- und Y-Achse etwas ver¬ setzt an, so entsteht auch eine Z-Achse (Drei-Koordinaten- lichtgitteranordnung) . Dadurch kann zwischen einer Bewegung in oder aus dem durch das Lichtgitter begrenzten Raum heraus er¬ kannt und unterschieden werden. Läßt man nun für jeden von Scanner erkannten Artikel nur eine Bewegung in den von dem Lichtgitter begrenzten Bereich hinein und anschließend eine Bewegung wieder heraus zu, so hat man eine qute Kontrolle. Der Kunde kann nicht mehr mit seiner zweiten Hand nicht abgetaste¬ te Artikel auf das Band legen. Wenn der Kunde anstelle eines Artikels jedoch zwei Artikel gleichzeitig auf das Band legt, kann man dies mit diesem Aufbau noch nicht erkennen.If the light grid for the X and Y axes is arranged somewhat offset, a Z axis also arises (three-coordinate light grid arrangement). This makes it possible to recognize and distinguish between a movement in or out of the space delimited by the light grid. If you now allow only one movement into the area delimited by the light grid and then one movement out for each article recognized by the scanner, you have a good control. The customer can no longer place unscanned articles on the belt with his second hand. However, if the customer places two articles on the belt at the same time instead of one article, this structure cannot yet be seen.
Daher ist es vorteilhaft, die Selbstscannanlage so auszubil¬ den, daß eine zusätzliche Drei-Koordinatenlichtgitteranordnung vorgesehen ist.It is therefore advantageous to design the self-scanning system in such a way that an additional three-coordinate light grid arrangement is provided.
Damit kann auch die Dimension eines auf dem Band befindlichen Artikels erfaßt werden, was jedoch voraussetzt, daß der Kunde in dem von den Lichtschranken abgetasteten Bereich nicht hi- neinqreifen kann. Mit einer solchen Anordnung, die sich z.B. am Ende der Abdeckung für die erste Lichtschranke befinden kann, kann dann auch erfaßt werden, ob der Kunde zwei Artikel aufeinmal auf das Band gelegt hat.This also allows the dimension of an article on the belt to be detected, which, however, presupposes that the customer cannot access the area scanned by the light barriers. With such an arrangement, which can be located, for example, at the end of the cover for the first light barrier, it can also be detected whether the customer has two articles suddenly put on the tape.
Werden bei dem Scannvorgang irgendwelche Unregelmäßigkeiten festgestellt, kann der Kassiererin ein akustisches bzw. opti- sches Zeichen gegeben werden.If any irregularities are found during the scanning process, the cashier can be given an acoustic or optical signal.
Eine weitere Kontrollmöglichkeit ergibt sich auch, wenn der Kassiererin die Artikel, die abgetastet wurden, um die Zeit verzögert, die die Artikel vom Auflegen auf das Band bis zu ihr benötigen, auf einem Bildschirm angezeigt werden; Die Kas¬ siererin vergleicht die auf dem Bildschirm angezeigten Arti¬ kel, sowie deren Reihenfolge mit den Artikeln, die bei ihr nacheinander auf dem Band eintreffen. Die Zeit, in der die Ar¬ tikel bei der Kassiererin verzögert eintreffen, ist -durch die Bandgeschwindigkeit und die Zeitdauer, die das Band anschal¬ tet, bestimmt.A further control possibility also arises if the cashier delays the articles which have been scanned on a screen by the time it takes for the articles from being placed on the belt to them; The cashier compares the items displayed on the screen, as well as their order, with the items that arrive on the tape one after the other. The time in which the items arrive at the cashier with a delay is determined by the belt speed and the length of time that the belt switches on.
Wird die Stelle in der Artikelliste, an der die Lichtgitterlo¬ gik eine Unregelmäßigkeit festgestellt hat, auf dem Bildschirm besonders gekennzeichnet, kann zum richtigen Zeitpunkt eine Kontrolle stattfinden. Am besten läßt man sogar das Band in diesem Moment anhalten. Die Kassiererin kann dann gezielt feststellen, ob sich ein Artikel zuviel oder ein falscher Ar- tikel auf dem Band befindet.If the point in the article list at which the light grid logic has determined an irregularity is specially marked on the screen, a check can take place at the right time. It's best to let the tape stop at that moment. The cashier can then specifically determine whether there is an article too many or a wrong article on the belt.
Anhand der Figuren 1 und 2 wird die Erfindung näher erläutert.The invention is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
Es zeigenShow it
Figur 1 eine Scannanlage nach der Erfindung mit einem Licht¬ gitter in X- und Y-Richtung,FIG. 1 shows a scanning system according to the invention with a light grid in the X and Y directions,
Figur 2 eine bekannte Scannanlage mit nur einem Lichtgitter in Y-Richtung.Figure 2 shows a known scanning system with only one light grid in the Y direction.
Die Anlage besteht aus einem Vorlaufband 1, für die vom Scan¬ ner erfaßten Artikel, sowie einem weiteren Band 2 für die Ar- hThe system consists of a lead belt 1 for the articles scanned by the scanner and a further belt 2 for the articles. H
1 tikel zum Nacherfassen. Hinter dem Scanner 3 ist das Y-Licht- gitter 4 angeordnet, über dem eine Kundenanzeige 5 sowie vier weitere Anzeigen 6 für "scannerfrei", "scanner-besetzt" , gut gescannt und schlecht gescannt vorgesehen sind. Hinter dem'Y-1 item for follow-up. The Y light grid 4 is arranged behind the scanner 3, above which a customer display 5 and four further displays 6 for "scanner-free", "scanner-occupied", well scanned and poorly scanned are provided. Behind the ' Y-
5 Gitter 4 befindet sich eine Plastikabdeckung 7, durch die die erfaßte Ware hindurchgeführt wird.5 grid 4 there is a plastic cover 7 through which the detected goods are passed.
Figur 1 zeigt die gleiche Ausführung wie die Anordnung nach Figur 2, jedoch besteht nunmehr das Lichtgitter aus einem 0 Lichtgitter in Y-Richtung und einem weiteren Lichtgitter in X- Richtung, d.h. es werden nunmehr Lichtstrahlen in aufeinander senkrecht stehenden Richtungen ausgestrahlt, wodurch eine flä¬ chige Abdeckung des Kontrollbereiches erzielt wird.Figure 1 shows the same design as the arrangement of Figure 2, but now the light grid consists of a 0 light grid in the Y direction and a further light grid in the X direction, i.e. now light beams are emitted in mutually perpendicular directions, whereby a flat coverage of the control area is achieved.
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Claims

Patentansprüche Claims
1. Selbstscanninganlage mit zwei Transportbändern und einem Lichtgitter mit horizontal verlaufendem Lichtstrahl als Kon- trollorgan d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß jeder Lichtstrahl einzeln ausgewertet wird.1. Self-scanning system with two conveyor belts and a light curtain with a horizontally running light beam as a control element, and that each light beam is evaluated individually.
2. Selbstscanninganlage nach Anspruch 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß das Lichtgitter zusätz- lieh mit vertikal verlaufenden Lichtstrahlen ausgerüstet ist.2. Self-scanning system according to claim 1, that the light grid is additionally equipped with vertically extending light beams.
3. Selbstscanninganlage nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprü¬ che, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß die Lichtgitter mit horizontal und vertikal verlaufendem Lichtstrahl in einem Abstand versetzt hintereinander angeord¬ net sind (Drei-Koordinatenanordnung) .3. Self-scanning system according to one of the preceding claims, so that the light grids with the horizontally and vertically running light beam are arranged offset at a distance one behind the other (three-coordinate arrangement).
4. Selbstscanninganlage nach Anspruch 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß nach jedem vom Scanner er- kannten Artikel eine Bewegung in den von den Lichtgittern be¬ grenzten Bereich hinein und eine Bewegung heraus ohne Alarmab¬ gabe zugelassen wird.4. Self-scanning system according to claim 3, so that after each article recognized by the scanner, movement into and out of the area delimited by the light grids is permitted without movement of the alarm.
5. Selbstscanninganlage nach Anspruch 3, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß eine zusätzliche Drei-Koor- dinatenlichtgitteranordnung vorgesehen ist. 5. A self-scanning system according to claim 3, that an additional three-coordinate light grid arrangement is provided.
PCT/EP1992/002978 1992-02-13 1992-12-22 Automatic scanning device WO1993015636A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEP4204296.8 1992-02-13
DE4204296 1992-02-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993015636A1 true WO1993015636A1 (en) 1993-08-19

Family

ID=6451624

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1992/002978 WO1993015636A1 (en) 1992-02-13 1992-12-22 Automatic scanning device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1993015636A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2161631A (en) * 1984-07-09 1986-01-15 Checkrobot Inc System for security processing of retailed articles
EP0265560A1 (en) * 1986-10-29 1988-05-04 Sergio Stagnaro Apparatus and method detecting geometrical quantities of objects and automatic identifying of the same
WO1989006842A1 (en) * 1988-01-19 1989-07-27 Breuil, S.A. Apparatus for counting conveyed objects
EP0443407A1 (en) * 1990-02-17 1991-08-28 Werner Potrafke Spezialfabrik Für Kassentische Und Förderanlagen Check-out counter with automatic scanning
EP0446929A2 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Kabushiki Kaisha TEC Checkout apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2161631A (en) * 1984-07-09 1986-01-15 Checkrobot Inc System for security processing of retailed articles
EP0265560A1 (en) * 1986-10-29 1988-05-04 Sergio Stagnaro Apparatus and method detecting geometrical quantities of objects and automatic identifying of the same
WO1989006842A1 (en) * 1988-01-19 1989-07-27 Breuil, S.A. Apparatus for counting conveyed objects
EP0443407A1 (en) * 1990-02-17 1991-08-28 Werner Potrafke Spezialfabrik Für Kassentische Und Förderanlagen Check-out counter with automatic scanning
EP0446929A2 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 Kabushiki Kaisha TEC Checkout apparatus

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