WO1999056257A2

WO1999056257A2 - Cash register workplace

Info

Publication number: WO1999056257A2
Application number: PCT/DE1999/000910
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guenter Baitz
Original assignee: Wincor Nixdorf Gmbh & Co Kg
Priority date: 1998-04-29
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 1999-11-04
Also published as: EP1075682A2; WO1999056257A3; EP1075682B1; DE19819208C1; DE59900725D1; ES2171084T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a cash register workplace (10) comprising several peripheral devices (16, 26, 32) characterized by a work plate (12) supporting said workplace and having an open slot-like cavity facing the side of the operator (14) or the customer (30). An alphanumeric keyboard (52) is mounted in such a way that it can be moved from a position in which it is inserted in the cavity (48) to at least another position in which it is pulled out from the cavity. A data processing device (54) and/or a drive (56) or a location for an interchangeable data storage can be arranged behind the alphanumeric keyboard (52).

Description

Cash desk workplace

The invention relates to a till workplace according to the preamble of claim 1.

A cash register workstation which comprises a cash register printer, a cash register keyboard which can be operated from an operator side and / or command keys, a cash register display and a customer display to be viewed from a customer side is known from WO 97/06517 AI.

In the case of checkout workstations for special applications, there is sometimes a desire to have an alphanumeric keyboard in addition to the checkout keyboard. This is the case, for example, when orders are to be placed at the checkout workstation or personalized delivery documents are to be made out. However, such an alphanumeric keyboard must not hinder normal checkout operations.

DE 92 07 920 UI describes a cash register workstation which has only one display but has a flap on the operator side which carries the cash register keyboard on the top and an alphanumeric keyboard on the underside. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that, depending on the flap position, only one of the keyboards can be accessed.

EP 0 085 482 AI describes a telecommunications terminal with a terminal housing and an alphanumeric keyboard, which is located below a command keyboard between an inserted into the terminal housing and a position pulled out of this is slidably mounted.

In a terminal of the type mentioned, an alphanumeric keyboard is constantly used, so that it makes sense to install it in the terminal housing. However, as already explained above, a cash desk work station only requires an alphanumeric keyboard for special applications. For cost reasons alone, it would therefore make little sense to equip every cash register workstation with such a keyboard. If you want to avoid this, different housings are required. In addition, in a modern cash register workstation at least a large part of the peripheral devices is installed in a separate housing, so that any combinations of peripheral devices are possible and these can be arranged according to the ergonomic requirements.

The post-published EP 0 855 688 AI describes a till workstation with a Latop computer which contains a display device facing the operator side and a till keyboard. The laptop computer is detachably mounted on a recording unit which has a cavity which is accessible from the operator's side and in which an alphanumeric keyboard which can be moved between a working position and a hidden position is accommodated. This additional recording unit to be provided is connected to a carrier plate which also carries a cash register printer.

The object of the invention is to propose a checkout workplace in which the normal checkout operation is not hindered by an alphanumeric keyboard. The object is solved by the features of claim 1.

The invention is based on the consideration that the peripheral devices of a modularly structured checkout workstation need an area on which they are set up anyway. The peripheral devices are often set up on a specially designed cash desk, which must then have a correspondingly designed table frame. However, if you now provide a worktop that carries all peripheral devices, you can place it on any table top, slide it into a shelf or provide it with your own legs. Such a worktop can be equipped and wired with all peripheral devices far from the place of use. If one now lets a horizontal, at least to the operator side or - if the alphanumeric keyboard is to be operated by the customer - open to the customer side a slot-shaped cavity, in which the alphanumeric keyboard is between a position inserted into and removed from a cavity standard equipment can be used and arranged on the worktop without being hindered by the alphanumeric keyboard. At the same time, the latter is ergonomically optimal in its working position for a user, depending on the design of the cash desk workstation for a cashier or a customer. In its other position, the alphanumeric keyboard is completely hidden without unnecessarily enlarging, in particular increasing, the housing of any peripheral device. The cavity can be closed at the bottom by a bottom wall. This has the advantage that a cable leading to the alphanumeric keyboard cannot hang out from under the worktop. On the other hand, such a sub-wall is not absolutely necessary. Preferably, however, the cavity has a greater depth than the depth of the alphanumeric keyboard and in the cavity there is a slide, which is displaceable between an inserted position and a position which is pulled out, in which the alphanumeric keyboard is arranged. A standardized keyboard, as is known for example from a PC or laptop, can then be used. If the insert is stored in the cavity on at least one, but preferably on two telescopic rails attached to the side walls of the insert, the displacement is particularly easy and can be tilted.

The greater depth of the cavity compared to the depth of the alphanumeric keyboard allows a cable distributor for the connection lines leading to the peripheral devices or also to a data processing system to be accommodated behind the alphanumeric keyboard, so that the surface of the worktop is free of connecting cables. A peripheral device control unit and / or a data processing device can also occupy the space behind the alphanumeric keyboard.

In a preferred embodiment of the cash register work station, the alphanumeric keyboard is arranged in a front area of the insert and in the rear area of the insert a drive and / or an adapter for an exchangeable data memory. Detect as a run a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive can be considered. The adapter can, for example, be a holder for a mass storage device in PCMCIA format. The aforementioned storage media can contain, among other things, a so-called PLU table (Price Look Up). The drive or the adapter can be arranged alone or in addition to a peripheral device control unit or the data processing device in the slot.

In a further development of the invention, the insert can be moved at least between a first position in which the alphanumeric keyboard is inserted into the slot-shaped cavity, a second, partially pulled-out position in which the alphanumeric keyboard is in front of the worktop, and a third position. In the latter position, the cable distributor or the peripheral device control unit, the data processing device, the drive or the adapter protrudes at least partially from the cavity and is thus accessible.

Preferably, the drive or adapter is installed in the slot so that its insertion opening for a data memory points in the direction of the alpanumeric keyboard and the drive or adapter can be pivoted between two angular positions, in the first of which the insertion opening behind the alphanumeric keyboard and in the second of which is the insertion opening above the alphanumeric keyboard. A spring engages the drive or the adapter, which acts on the spring with one in the direction of the second angular position Force applied. When the insert is moved from the second to the third position, the drive or the receptacle is pivoted by the spring into the second angular position, as a result of which the insertion opening is free and a storage medium can be inserted into or removed from it. The till work station is advantageously designed so that the drive or the adapter is positively controlled from the second to the first angular position when moving the drawer from the third to the second position and maintains this when moving from the second to the first position.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, an elastically deformable latching projection is provided on the inside of a wall of the cavity and at least one trough-shaped counter-latch assigned to the second position is provided on the insert, or vice versa.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which in connection with the accompanying drawings explains the invention using an exemplary embodiment. It shows

1 a cash register workstation with an alphanumeric keyboard in the working position in a perspective front view,

2 the cash desk from FIG. 1 with the alphanumeric keyboard completely pulled out of a worktop, 3 the cash desk workstation from FIG. 1 with the alphanumeric keyboard in the working position in a perspective rear view,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the worktop with the alphanumeric keyboard completely pulled out of it, corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG.

5 shows a schematic plan view of the worktop in FIG. 4.

1 shows a cash register work station 10 in a perspective front view. This includes a worktop 12, on the front of which an operator side 14 facing area a cash desk keyboard 16 is set up. The cash register keyboard 16 is equipped with numeric keys 18 and command keys 20, a swipe magnetic card reader 22 and a key switch 24. A cashier display 26 is arranged at the rear edge of the cash register keyboard 16.

A cash register printer 32 is set up on the rear area of the worktop 12 facing a customer side 30 so that receipts 36 issued from its dispensing opening 34 can be gripped by the operator side 14. A flap 40, which can be pivoted about an axis 38 in the direction of arrow A, is arranged below the dispensing opening 34, behind which a paper supply (not shown), for example a receipt roll, is mounted. The flap 40 projects beyond the printer housing 42 on one side and is provided with a recessed grip 44 in the area of the overhang, which facilitates the handling of the flap 40. The return to the customer side 30 side of the cash register printer 32 carries a large-area customer display 46 (FIG. 3).

A horizontal, slit-shaped cavity 48 open to the operator side 14 is embedded in the worktop 12. In this, an insert 50 is displaceably mounted in the direction of an arrow B between a first position P1 inserted into the cavity 48 and a third position P3 extracted from this, as will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. An alphanumeric keyboard 52 is arranged in the front area of the insert 50 facing the customer side 14. 1 shows the insert 50 in a second position P2, in which the alphanumeric keyboard 52 is just protruding completely out of the cavity 48.

FIG. 2 shows the cash desk work station 10 with the insert completely pulled out of the worktop 12 into the third position P3. The alphanumeric keyboard 52 is in this position with such a distance in front of the worktop 12 that behind it a data processing device 54 and next to it a floppy disk drive 56 protrude from the cavity 48. An insertion opening 58 of the floppy disk drive 56 for floppy disks lies in this position P3 of the slot 50 above the alphanumeric keyboard 52. Instead of the floppy disk drive 56 or additionally, a CD-ROM drive or an adapter for a semiconductor memory in PCMCIA format can also be used be arranged on the insert 50.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the worktop 12 with the insert 50 pulled out of it up to the third position P3 in a schematic side view and top view. A conical compression spring 60 is arranged under the front area of the floppy disk drive 56, one leg of which is supported on the bottom 62 of the insert 50 and the other leg of which is supported on the underside of the floppy disk drive 56. When the slide-in unit 50 is pulled out of the cavity 48, the disk drive 56 pivots about an axis 64 from its first angular position 56 'shown in broken lines in the direction of its second angular position 56 "shown in solid lines.

When the insert 50 is inserted into the cavity 48, the disk drive 56 slides along the upper boundary edge 66 of the cavity opening 68. The floppy disk drive 56 is pivoted downward against the force of the conical compression spring 60 into its first angular position 56 ″, which it occupies when the insert 50 is fully inserted and in which it is held.

As shown in FIG. 5 in a partially sectioned schematic plan view of a section of the worktop 12, there is an elastically deformable locking projection 72 on the inside of a side wall 70 of the hollow 48 and one on the insert 50 is assigned to positions P1, P2, P3 trough-shaped counter detents 74, 76, 78 are provided. A reverse arrangement is of course also possible. In normal checkout operation, the insert 48 is inserted into the cavity 48 so far that the front side 82 of the insert 50 is flush with the front side 80 of the worktop. In this position P1, the latching projection 72 engages in the counter latch 74. To use the alphanumeric keyboard 52, the insert 50 is pulled out of the cavity 48 until closes the rear 84 of the alphanumeric keyboard 52 with the front 80 of the worktop 12. In this position P2, the catch projection 72 engages in the counter catch 76 and holds the insert 50 firmly in this position, so that the alphanumeric keyboard 52 cannot move when it is actuated. For service purposes or for operating the floppy disk drive 56, the insert 50 is pulled completely out of the cavity 48 until the latching projection 72 engages in the counter latch 78. In this position P3, the floppy disk drive 56 is pivoted into its second angular position 56 ″, so that its insertion opening 58 projects beyond the alphanumeric keyboard 52.

In the first position P1 of the insert 50, the alphanumeric keyboard 52 is therefore hidden in the cavity 48 and in the second position P2 the alphanumeric keyboard 52 is in its working position. In the third position P3 of the insert 50, the alphanumeric keyboard 52 protrudes further out of the cavity 48 than in the second position P2.

In order to ensure a smooth and tilt-free sliding of the insert 50, 12 telescopic rails 86 are arranged on the inside of the side walls 70 of the worktop (only one can be seen in FIG. 4), which has a fixed rail part 88 fastened to the respective side wall 70 and at least comprise an extendable, movable rail part 90 carrying the insert 50.

Claims

claims

A checkout station (10) comprising at least the following peripheral devices: a checkout printer (32); a cash register keyboard (16) containing numeric keys (18) and / or command keys (20) which can be operated by an operator (14), a cashier display (26), a customer display (46) to be viewed by a customer side (30) and an additional one alpanumeric keyboard (52), characterized by a worktop (12) supporting the cash desk workstation (10), into which a horizontal, slit-shaped cavity open at least to the operator side (14) or the customer side (30) 48) is inserted, in which the alphanumeric keyboard (52) is displaceably mounted between a (Pl) inserted into the cavity (48) and at least one position (P2, P3) pulled out of it.

2. Checkout workstation according to claim 1, so that the cavity (48) is opposite the depth of the alphanumeric keyboard

(52) has greater depth and that in the cavity (48) a slide (50) is mounted between an inserted (Pl) and at least one pulled out position (P2, P3), in which the alphanumeric keyboard (52) is arranged is.

3. Cash desk workstation according to claim 2, since it is possible that the insert (50) is mounted in the cavity (48) on at least one, in particular two telescopic rails (86).

4. cash desk according to one of claims 1 to 3, since by ge ke nn zeic hne t that behind the alphanumeric keyboard (52) a cable distributor for leading to the peripheral devices (16, 26, 32, 46) or to a data processing system connecting lines is arranged.

5. Cash desk workstation according to one of claims 1 to 4, so that a label is arranged behind the alphanumeric keyboard (52) for a peripheral device control unit and / or a data processing device (54).

6. Cash register workstation according to one of claims 2 to 5, since by chge ke nn zeic hne t that in a front area of the insert (50) the alphanumeric keyboard (52) and in the rear area of the insert (50) a drive ( 56) and / or an adapter for an exchangeable data memory is arranged.

7. Cash desk workstation according to claim 6, so that the insert (50) at least between a first position (Pl) in which the alphanumeric keyboard (52) is inserted into the cavity, a second, partially pulled-out position ( P2), in which the alphanumeric keyboard (52) is in front of the worktop (12), and a third position (P3) in which the cable distributor, the peripheral device control unit, the data processing device (54), the Drive (56) or the adapter at least partially protrudes from the cavity (48).

8. cash desk according to claim 7 or 8, since you rchge ke nn zei chne t that the drive (56) and / or the adapter in the direction of the alpanumeric keyboard (52) facing insertion opening (58) for a data memory and that Drive (56) and / or the adapter between two angular positions (56 ', 56 ") is pivotable, in the first (56') the insertion opening (58) behind the alphanumeric keyboard (52) and in the second (56") Insertion opening (58) lies above the alphanumeric keyboard (52).

9. The cash register workstation according to claim 8, since it means that the drive (56) or the adapter is aligned around an axis (()) which is normal to its side walls and parallel to the rear wall (84) of the alphanumeric keyboard (52). 64) is pivotable.

10. Cash desk according to claim 9, since you r c h g e k e nn z e i c hne t that the axis (64) through the rear wall of the drive (56) or the adapter or close to this.

11. Cash desk workstation according to one of claims 8 to 10, since by means of that a spring (60) acts on the drive (56) or the adapter, which springs this or these with in the direction the second angular position (56 ") acting force.

12. cash desk according to one of claims 8 to 11, since dur chge ke nn zeic hne t that the drive (56) or the adapter when moving the Insert (50) from the third (P3) into the second position (P2) is positively controlled transferred to the first angular position (56 ') and maintains this when pushed further from the second (P2) to the first position s (Pl).

13. cash desk according to one of the preceding claims, since dur chge ke nn zeic hne t that on the inside of a wall (70) of the cavity (48) an elastically deformable locking projection (72) 0 and at least one of the insert (50) trough-shaped counter detents (74, 76, 78) assigned to the positions (P1, P2, P3) or an elastically deformable detent projection on the insert (50) and at least 5 one of the positions on the inside of a wall (70) of the cavity (48) (P1, P2, P3) assigned trough-shaped counter detents is provided.