JP2012168625A - Checkout device with metal detection function and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the safety by being able to detect the mixing of a metallic foreign object into a product to be checked out.
A checkout device with a metal detection function having a function of detecting the mixing of a metal foreign object into a product, a scanner for reading code information of the product, and a bagging unit for setting a bag for storing the product And a metal sensor that detects whether or not the product contains metal, and a notification mechanism that notifies the product of metal contamination. When the product corresponding to the code information read by the scanner is determined to be a metal detection object, the metal sensor detects the presence or absence of metal in the product newly put in the bag of the bagging unit. When the metal is detected, the mixing of the metal into the product is notified.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a checkout device with a metal detection function and a control program therefor, which have a function of detecting the entry of a metal foreign object such as a needle into a product.

  In recent years, contamination of foreign objects such as needles has become a major problem in supermarkets and convenience stores. In order to detect the contamination of metallic foreign objects, it is conceivable to install a metal sensor in the checkout device that performs product registration / settlement processing, but some products originally contain metal. On the other hand, it is not possible to determine whether or not foreign matter is mixed simply by providing a metal sensor. In other words, it is not possible to efficiently detect the mixing of metal foreign matter.

  On the other hand, supermarkets and convenience stores are expected to introduce self-checkout devices that allow customers to register products and perform payment processing as a measure to reduce labor. In this self-checkout apparatus, since there is no product check by a store clerk, mixing of metal foreign matters becomes an increasingly serious problem.

JP 2009-157563 A

  One embodiment of the present invention provides a checkout device with a metal detection function capable of efficiently detecting the inclusion of a metal foreign object in a product to be checked out and capable of improving safety, and a control program therefor. Objective.

  According to the embodiment, a checkout device with a metal detection function having a function of detecting the mixing of a metal foreign object into a product, a scanner for reading the code information of the product, and a bag holder for setting a bag for placing the product A unit, a metal sensor that detects whether or not the product contains metal, and a notification mechanism that notifies the product of metal contamination. When the product corresponding to the code information read by the scanner is determined to be a metal detection object, the metal sensor detects the presence or absence of metal in the product newly put in the bag of the bagging unit. When the metal is detected, the mixing of the metal into the product is notified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system using a plurality of self-checkout terminals for explaining a first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the self-checkout terminal used for the system of FIG. The perspective view which shows the state in which the shopping bag is hold | maintained at the holding arm of the self-checkout terminal of FIG. The block diagram which shows the electric hardware constitutions of the payment terminal used for the self-checkout terminal of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the PUL file which comprises merchandise data. The flowchart which shows the merchandise sales data process including the metal detection concerning 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the merchandise sales data process including the metal detection concerning 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state by which the shopping bag is hold | maintained at the holding arm of a self-checkout terminal for demonstrating a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall system configuration using the self-checkout apparatus according to the first embodiment. This system is constructed by connecting a plurality of self-checkout systems 11, a plurality of POS terminals 21, and a store controller 31 via a communication network 41. The self-checkout system 11 is configured by assigning one attendant terminal 501 to a plurality of self-checkout terminals 101. The self-checkout terminal 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a self-checkout terminal 101 as a checkout apparatus according to the present embodiment. The self-checkout terminal 101 includes a settlement terminal 201 and a scale device 301.

  The settlement terminal 201 has a housing 202 from which a product basket mounting table 102 for mounting a basket (not shown) containing products to be purchased by a customer protrudes from the side.

  The housing 202 of the payment terminal 201 includes a base housing 202a installed on the floor and an upper housing 202b placed on the upper surface of the base housing 202a. The front surface of the base housing 202a is inclined so as to narrow the projected area of the base housing 202a as it goes downward. As a result, the base housing 202a has a shape that is offset toward the back as it goes downward.

  In the upper housing 202b, a barcode scanner 203 is disposed on the right side, and a printer cover 204 is disposed on the left side. A card insertion slot 212 is disposed between the barcode scanner 203 and the printer cover 204.

  The barcode scanner 203 has a reading surface 203a formed of a glass plate, and is a vertical scanner that irradiates a reading space positioned in front of the reading surface 203a with a predetermined laser beam pattern. When the article is positioned in the reading space and the barcode attached to the article is directed to the reading surface 203a, the barcode scanner 203 receives reflected light from the barcode with a light receiving element (not shown). The barcode scanner 203 decodes the received light signal of the barcode based on the output signal of the light receiving element, acquires the product code and customer code expressed by the barcode as code data, and controls the control unit of the payment terminal 201 To 253 (see FIG. 4). Here, the product code is a code for specifying a product and is attached to the product. The customer code is a code for identifying the customer, and is printed on the point card in the present embodiment.

  The printer cover 204 is provided with a receipt issuing port 208. A receipt printer 251 (see FIG. 4) is built in the upper housing 202b on the back side of the printer cover 204, and a receipt (not shown) printed by the receipt printer 251 is issued from a receipt issuing port 208. Yes. The printer cover 204 is attached to the upper housing 202b so as to be freely opened and closed.

  A card reader / writer 252 (see FIG. 4) that is a magnetic card reader / writer capable of reading and writing data with respect to the magnetic card is built in the card insertion slot 212. A credit card is inserted into the card insertion slot 212 as a magnetic card.

  An LCD 210 serving as a display unit having a liquid crystal display panel is attached to the upper housing 202b. On the screen of the LCD 210, a touch panel 211 as an input unit is stacked.

  The base housing 202a incorporates a coin / banknote deposit / withdrawal device 221 (see FIG. 4). As a part of the deposit / withdrawal device 221, a coin insertion slot 213 is disposed on the central upper surface of the base housing 202a, and a coin payout outlet 214 is disposed on the left side thereof. In addition, a bill insertion slot 215 and a bill dispensing outlet 216 are arranged at the upper right position on the front surface of the base housing. Such a depositing / withdrawing apparatus 221 has a mechanism that enables handling of coins and banknotes, and a controller that controls the mechanism (not shown). About the structure of such a mechanism part, the process procedure in a control part, etc., since the content is known, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, a display pole 217 as an alarm device for displaying the current state of the self-checkout terminal 101 is erected from the back surface of the base housing 202a. The display pole 217 has a light emitting portion 218 that selectively emits blue and red light at the tip.

  Next, the scale device 301 will be described. The scale device 301 is configured such that a scale pan 303 is provided on an upper portion of a scale housing 302, and a bag holder 304 is attached to the scale pan 303. The weighing pan 303 has a mounting table 303a on its upper surface. The bag holder 304 is attached to the mounting table 303a. Therefore, when viewed from the bag holder 304, the weighing pan 303 constitutes a pedestal. That is, a pole-shaped arm support portion 305 is erected at the rear center portion of the mounting table 303a, and a temporary mounting table 306 for mounting an article is fixed to the upper end of the arm support unit 305. The temporary placement table 306 is a table that has a flat upper surface and is used for temporarily placing products after the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 203 of the payment terminal 201. Both the mounting table 303a and the temporary mounting table 306 play a role as a mounting unit for mounting a product to which a product code is input.

  A pair of holding arms 307 and a hook 308 are attached to the lower surface of such a temporary placing table 306. That is, the arm attachment 309 (see FIG. 3) is fixed to the both ends of the lower surface of the temporary placing table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A holding arm 307 is embedded in each of the arm attachments 309. In addition, a hook attachment 310 (see FIG. 3) is fixed at the center of the lower surface of the temporary placing table 306. The fixing is performed by various fixing methods such as screwing and adhesive fixing. A hook 308 is embedded in the hook attachment 310.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shopping bag 401 is held by the holding arm 307. The holding arm 307 includes a register bag 401 as a storage bag such as a plastic bag provided to a customer in a supermarket or the like, that is, an opening 402 and a pair of handles 403 protruding from the opening 402. In order to hold the shopping bag 401 folded so that the 403 is positioned on both sides, the pair of grips 403 are held in a skewered state. In order to realize such a holding state, a slit 404 is formed in the handle 403. In addition, the plastic bag 401 is formed with a pair of ears 406 that are positioned between the pair of handles 403 and can be removed by the perforation 405, and hooks 407 are formed in these ears 406. ing. The hook 308 is inserted through the hooking hole 407, thereby holding the shopping bag 401 together with the holding arm 307.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of metal sensors 331 are provided on the weighing pan 303 in addition to the above basic configuration. The metal sensor 331 has an electromagnetic coil that detects metal by a change in a magnetic field, and is provided at, for example, four corners of a weighing pan 303. Further, the metal sensor 331 is provided so as to float from the weighing pan 303 by a support bar or the like so as to be separated from the upper surface of the weighing pan 303 by a certain distance. Here, in order to increase the detection sensitivity of the metal sensor 331, the weighing pan 303 is preferably non-metallic.

  Further, for example, two metal sensors 332 are embedded in the temporary placement table 306 so as not to protrude from the upper surface of the table 306. Similar to the metal sensor 331, the metal sensor 332 has an electromagnetic coil, and detects metal by fluctuation of a magnetic field.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware configuration of the payment terminal 201. The payment terminal 201 has a control unit 253 as an information processing unit therein. For example, the control unit 253 may have a semiconductor chip configuration in which an operation sequence is written, or may have a microcomputer configuration in which an operation program is stored in the RAM 254 or the like. Here, the control unit 253 having a microcomputer configuration will be introduced.

  The CPU 255 is the core of the control unit 253. The CPU 255 is connected via a system bus 259 to a ROM 256 that stores fixed data in a fixed manner, a RAM 254 that stores variable data in a rewritable manner, a VRAM 257 that generates a display image to be displayed on the LCD 210, and an HDD 258. Yes.

  The control unit 253 includes a barcode scanner 203, an LCD 210, a touch panel 211, a card reader / writer 252, a receipt printer 251, a light emitting unit 218, an interface 260 that mediates data communication with the deposit / withdrawal device 221, and a metal sensor. 331 and 332 are connected via a system bus 259 and are controlled by the control unit 253. In addition, a communication interface 261 is also connected to the control unit 253 via a system bus 259. The communication interface 261 is connected to the communication network 41 and realizes data communication between the attendant terminal 501 and the store controller 31 and the self-checkout terminal 101. Although not shown, an interface for realizing data communication with the scale device 301 is also connected to the control unit 253 via the system bus 259.

  The HDD 258 connected to the control unit 253 includes various programs such as operation programs, various display frames, PLU files PF (see FIG. 5), department files, weight data files WDF, image files, sales files, and the like (other than PLU files PF). (Not shown) are stored and saved. All or a part of these operation programs, various display frames, various files, various rule information, and the like are transferred to the RAM 254 and used when the payment terminal 201 is activated. These PLU file PF, weight data file WDF, department file, image file, sales file, and other various files constitute a product data file.

  The PLU file PF that constitutes the product data file corresponds to the product code that identifies each product, and in addition to the unit price, product display, discount product type, discount amount, M & M (mix and match) information, etc. Memorize freely. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the product code and image data of the product.

  The department file composing the product data file is associated with the department code for each product not stored in the PLU file PF, its unit price, product display, discounted product type, discount amount, M & M (mix and match) information Etc. are stored in a rewritable manner. The product display includes text data of the product name of the product specified by the department code and image data of the product.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the PLU file PF. The PLU file PF stores a flag indicating whether or not a product display, a unit price, image data, and metal are included in association with the product code. The product display is text data corresponding to the product name of the corresponding product. The image data is image data of a corresponding product. The flag is “0” when no metal is included, and “1” when a metal is included.

  Next, operations related to merchandise sales data processing and metal detection according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 is on standby for determining whether or not a product code has been input (step S11). The product code is input by reading the barcode by the barcode scanner 203 or by an input operation on the touch panel 211 in accordance with the display on the LCD 210.

  When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines the input of the product code (step S11), the control unit 253 executes a search process (step S12: identification unit).

  When the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 203, the search processing recognizes the product code specified by the barcode, searches various files constituting the product data file, and searches for the product code. Is a process for acquiring the unit price, weight, product display, and the like corresponding to.

  Next, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 executes a weight check process following the search process (step S13).

  The weight check process is a process for determining whether or not the weight of the product from which the barcode measured by the scale device 301 is read after the barcode is read is identical to the weight acquired by the search process. Whether or not they are identical is determined by whether the weight of the product obtained based on the weight measured by the scale device 301 is an allowable width of the weight obtained by the search process (for example, between the upper limit value and the lower limit value), that is, the weight range This is done by determining whether it is in place.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the product contains a metallic foreign object. First, from the flag of the PLU file corresponding to the product code searched in S12, it is determined whether or not the product is an inspection object, that is, a product using metal or a product not using it (step S14: discrimination). means). In the case of a product that does not use metal, the metal sensor 331 detects whether or not the product contained in the shopping bag 401 contains metal (step S15). When a metal is detected by the metal sensor 331, the fact that the metal has been mixed is displayed on the display, or an alarm lamp (for example, the light emitting unit 218) is turned on (step S16: notification means).

  Here, the metal sensor 331 detects a change in the magnetic field, and detects the metal by utilizing the change in the magnetic field depending on the presence or absence of the metal. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not a metal is contained in the product by detecting the magnetic field when the product is stored in the bag. Even if a metal exists near the sensor, the magnetic field fluctuates when a new metal comes close. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of metal in the newly stored product from the change in the magnetic field before and after the product is stored in the shopping bag 401.

  If it is determined in S14 that the product uses metal, or if no metal is detected in S15, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 performs product information registration processing following the weight check processing. Is executed (step S17).

  The product information registration process is a process of temporarily registering in the RAM 254 product information including a product code specified by the barcode read by the barcode scanner 203 and a unit price searched by the search process based on the specified product code. It is.

  Following the product information registration process, the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines the presence / absence of payment designation (step S18). If the payment designation is not made, the process returns to S11 and waits for the next product code input determination.

  The payment designation is executed by an input operation on the touch panel 211 according to the display on the LCD 210. When the control unit 253 of the self-checkout terminal 101 determines that there is a payment designation (Y in step S18), the control unit 253 executes a payment process (step S19).

  The settlement process is a process for calculating a settlement amount based on the unit price acquired by the search process and executing settlement of the settlement amount. The settlement amount is calculated by calculating the total sales amount including the necessary consumption tax calculation according to the closing operation on the touch panel 211, and is temporarily registered in the RAM 254 or the like or registered in the sales file. In the settlement process, settlement using cash is made possible for the calculated settlement amount. The handling of cash is executed by the deposit / withdrawal device 221 provided in the base housing 202a. Further, the payment terminal 201 may be provided with a non-contact IC card reader / writer to enable payment using an electronic money card.

  In this embodiment, the concept of product sales data processing is used as a broad concept including search processing, weight check processing, product information registration processing, settlement processing, and the like.

  In addition, when the product after entering the code is placed in the temporary placing table 306 without being put in the shopping bag 401, the temporary placing table 306 is also provided with the metal sensor 332, and therefore, this portion is inspected for contamination of metal foreign matter. It is also possible to do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the metal sensor 331 on the scale device 301, it is possible to detect the contamination of the metal foreign matter with respect to the product to be checked out, and the safety can be improved. In addition, when metal is used in the product itself, detection by the metal sensor 331 is not performed, so that malfunction can be prevented in advance.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the second embodiment, and is a flowchart showing merchandise sales data processing including metal detection.

  The basic configuration of the system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and is omitted here. The basic flow of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 6, and S21 to S23 and S25 to S29 in FIG. 6 correspond to S11 to S13 and S15 to S19 of FIG.

  This embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in that it is determined whether or not an installation marking product code has been read instead of S14 (step S24), and the installation marking product code is read. It is to detect the metal sensor in S25.

  There are two types of codes attached to products: a source marking system product code and an in-store marking system product code. The former is a case of marking at the maker stage, and the latter is a case of marking in a store. Products to which product codes of the in-store marking system are attached are products such as meat, fresh fish, and fruits and vegetables, and are easily mixed with foreign matters such as needles. Furthermore, metals are rarely used in this type of product.

  Therefore, as in this embodiment, when the product code of the in-store marking system is recognized, the detection by the metal sensor is performed by selecting the product having a high possibility of contamination and performing the metal detection. Thus, the processing efficiency can be improved.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The metal sensor is not necessarily limited to that using an electromagnetic coil, and any metal sensor can be used as long as it can detect metal without contact. If the detection distance is short, it may not be detected depending on the position in the bag. Therefore, it is desirable that the detection distance is relatively long like a metal detector. Further, instead of the metal sensor 331 shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to use a ring-shaped metal sensor 333 surrounding the shopping bag 401.

  Moreover, although self-type checkout system was demonstrated in embodiment, it is not necessarily limited to a self-type. For example, even in a face-to-face system in which a customer and a cashier face each other with a checkout counter as shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-33640, registration on the downstream side with the scanner in the flow direction of the customer. The present invention can be applied by providing a metal sensor on the finished product stand.

  In the above embodiment, a control program for realizing the functions of the invention is recorded in advance in a storage unit inside the apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a similar program may be downloaded from the network to the apparatus. Alternatively, a similar program recorded on the recording medium may be installed in the apparatus. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and can be read by the apparatus. Further, the function obtained by installing or downloading the program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) in the apparatus.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Self-checkout system 21 ... POS terminal 31 ... Store controller 101 ... Self-checkout terminal 201 ... Settlement terminal 203 ... Barcode scanner 218 ... Light emission part 301 ... Weighing device 303 ... Weighing plate 306 ... Temporary table 307 ... Holding arm 331 ... Metal sensor 401 ... Plastic bag

Claims (6)

A scanner that reads product code information,
A bag hanging unit for setting a bag into which the product whose code information is read by the scanner is placed;
Means for identifying a product corresponding to the code information read by the scanner;
Means for determining whether the identified product is a metal detection object;
A metal sensor that detects whether or not a metal is contained in a product newly put in a bag set in the bag hanging unit when the product is determined as a detection target;
Means for notifying metal contamination in the product when metal is detected by the sensor;
A checkout device with a metal detection function.   2. The checkout device with metal detection function according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit refers to setting information of a product data file based on code information read by the scanner.   2. The metal detection function-equipped device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the product as a detection target when the barcode system is in-store marking based on the code information read by the scanner. Checkout device.   A weight sensor for detecting the total weight of the products in the bag set in the bagging unit, and comparing the weight of the identified product with the increased weight when the product is placed in the bag; The checkout device with a metal detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the checkout process is normally performed when these differences are within a predetermined range.   It is provided in the vicinity of the bag hanging unit and detects whether a metal is contained in a temporary storage place for temporarily placing a product whose code information is read by the scanner and a product newly placed in the temporary storage place. The checkout device with a metal detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a metal sensor. A computer-readable control program for controlling the metal detection function-equipped checkout device according to claim 1,
A procedure for identifying a product corresponding to the code information read by the scanner;
A procedure for performing registration processing for the identified product;
A procedure for determining whether the identified product is a metal detection object;
When the product is determined to be a detection object, a procedure for detecting by the metal sensor whether or not a metal is newly contained in the product set in the bag set in the bag hanging unit;
When metal is detected by the sensor, a procedure for notifying metal contamination in the product,
A control program for causing a computer to execute the program.

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