WO2006011829A1 - Goods selling method and a point-of-sale terminal for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Abstract

The inventive selling method consists in forming an electromagnetic radiation field, in forming a light radiation field by a bar-code scanner, in applying a bar-code to a sales unit, in applying a mark to said sales unit, in moving the sales unit to the light radiation field, in receiving the bar-code signal from the sales unit, in moving the sales unit to the electromagnetic field, in receiving a mark signal from the sales unit, in recording the bar-code signal from the sales unit and the mark signal thereof and in closing sale. According to said invention, the light radiation of the bar-code scanner is produced in the electromagnetic field, wherein the left and right areas of the light radiation field are formed on the boundary of the electromagnetic radiation field, and the sale is completed after the registration of the signals of distortion of the left area of the light radiation field, the mark signals, the code bar signals and the signal of distortion of the right area of the light radiation field. The inventive point-of-sale terminal for carrying out said method comprises a cash box provided with a first antenna, the bar-code scanner and a cash register with a display which are arranged therein and connected to a processor and a self-service corridor of the cash box which is provided with a first electromagnetic source and in which a second antenna and a second electromagnetic source are incorporated, wherein the second electromagnetic source is embodied in the double-pole form, the cash box is mounted between the poles thereof and left and right photodetectors are disposed in the cash box symmetrically with respect to the bar-code scanner.

Description

 A method of selling goods and a cash terminal for its implementation.

The scope of the invention.

The present invention relates to methods and devices used in retail trade, in particular, in cash registers of self-service stores, which are equipped with control systems for the movement of goods and control systems for the operation of cash registers.

The prior art.

In retail, where the principle of self-service is used, significant costs are the unauthorized movement of goods from the self-service area of the store, the cost of customer service by the operators of cash registers and errors in the operation of cash register operators.

To eliminate and reduce these costs, various methods of selling goods and cash registers for their implementation are offered.

For example, a method for selling a product is proposed including, creating a light field by a barcode scanner, creating a weight control area, applying a barcode to a unit of goods, labeling a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods into a laser field by a barcode scanner, receiving a signal laser radiation barcode scanner with a barcode scanner from a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods to a weight control area, receiving a unit label signal, comparing a barcode signal and a weight control signal, completion with decks.

A cash terminal containing, scales, a cash box in which a bar code scanner and a cash register with a display are installed and connected to the processor (see application US Ns 2003/0078849, NCI 705/23, publ. 2003).

The above method and device are intended for the sale of goods without the participation of a cashier.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) However, in this case, it is practically impossible to effectively monitor the movement of the tavar, since the weight of a unit of goods is not an effective feature and a single video control unit is practically not enough to fully recognize the image of the product.

Closest to the present invention are a method of selling a product comprising, creating an electromagnetic radiation field, creating a light radiation field with a bar code scanner, applying a bar code to a unit of goods, labeling a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods into a light radiation field, receiving a barcode signal code from a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods into an electromagnetic field, receiving a signal of a label of a unit of goods, registering a signal of a bar code from a unit of goods and a signal of a label of a unit of goods, completing a transaction ki.

A cash terminal comprising a cash register, in which a first antenna, a barcode scanner and a cash register with a display connected to the processor are installed, a self-service corridor of the cash register with a first electromagnetic field source. (see US patent N "6169483, NKI 340 / 572.3, publ. 2001).

The specified method of sale of goods and the cash terminal can prevent unauthorized removal of goods.

However, using this method of selling goods, it is impossible to control the work of the cashier and it is impossible to implement the process of customer self-service, i.e., to completely exclude the participation of the cash register terminal operator from the purchase process, due to the lack of effective control of the movement of goods through the cash terminal independent of the operator.

The reason for this is the use of a single pole magnetic field source for magnetic marks. This leads to the fact that when moving the magnetic mark through the zone of action of a single-pole source of magnetic field for magnetic

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) marks, it is possible that the position of the mark is such that it will not be magnetized and the signal from it will not be registered (see RF patent 2002125926, IPC ⁷ : H 01 F 7/00 of 2002)

Another possible reason for the unauthorized movement of goods through the cash register terminal may be the removal of the label from the goods, deliberate errors in the actions of the cashier, for example, the substitution of goods.

Thus, the present invention solves the problem of increasing the degree of identification of tags and goods, as well as indicating the path of its movement through the cash terminal during the sale.

At the same time, a technical result is achieved - the creation of a machine-readable volumetric image of the goods, equipped with an identification tag and the creation of controlled physical fields in which the movement of each unit of goods through the cash register is monitored, which makes it possible to sell goods without the participation of the cash terminal operator.

The problem is solved due to the fact that in the known method of selling goods, including creating an electromagnetic radiation field, creating a light radiation field with a barcode scanner, applying a barcode to a unit of goods, labeling a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods in a field of light radiation , receiving a barcode signal from a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods into an electromagnetic field, receiving a signal of a unit label, registering a barcode signal from a unit of goods and unit label signal, completed e transaction field light emission barcode scanner to create a field of electromagnetic radiation, while at the boundary of the field of electromagnetic radiation produce light radiation field left area and right area of light radiation field, and the transaction is terminated after the perturbation signal recording area left field light emission,

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) signals from the label, barcode signals and the disturbance signal of the right zone of the field of light radiation.

And in the cash terminal containing, the cash box in which the first antenna, the barcode scanner and the cash register with the display are connected to the processor, the self-service corridor of the cash box with the first electromagnetic field source, a second antenna, a second electromagnetic field source, made bipolar, between the poles of which there is a cash box, the left photo detector and the right photo detector installed in the cash box symmetrically with respect to the barcode scanner, and also due to the fact that the left photo detector ISRC photodetector and right are formed as a photogrammetric block.

In FIG. 1 shows a general view of a cash register terminal of a self-service store.

In FIG. 2 - 6 shows a block diagram of the elements of a cash register terminal of a self-service store in various states.

The cash terminal contains a cash box 1, in which a second antenna 3, a barcode scanner 4 and a cash register 5 with a display are installed and connected to the processor 2, the second electromagnetic field source 6 is made bipolar, between the first pole 7 and the second pole 8 of which cash box 1, two photodetectors, a left photodetector 9 and a right photodetector 10 installed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the scanner 4 barcode. A self-service corridor 12 is made between the first pole 13 and the second pole 14 of the first bipolar electromagnetic field source 15 with the first antenna 16.

The first and second poles 7, 8, 13 and 14 are conductors for alternating electric current. The currents in the first poles 7 and 8 are out of phase

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) with respect to the second poles 13 and 14. The left photodetector 9 and the right photodetector 10 can be made in the form of a photogrammetric unit. As in any photogrammetric unit, the left photodetector 9 and the right photodetector 10 are made with the possibility of synchronous operation, as well as each separately. For the photogrammetric unit to function effectively, the left light source 16 and the right light source 17 are installed in the field of view of the left photodetector 9 and the field of view of the right photodetector 10, respectively. Between the left photodetector 9 and the right photodetector 10, a cash register 5 and a barcode scanner 4 are installed. By photodetector is also meant a digital camera, digital video camera or photo diodes. The area of space in which the above elements operate, namely, a barcode scanner 4, a photogrammetric unit and a second bipolar source 6 of an alternating magnetic field with a second antenna 3 form the operating space of the cash box 1.

Thus, in the operating space of box office 1, an alternating magnetic field and a field of light radiation are created. The electromagnetic radiation of the label placed on the product, initiated by an alternating magnetic field, is recorded using the second antenna 3. The light emission field allows you to register the entry of goods into the operating area of the cash box 1 using the left photodetector 9, the spatial shape of the goods, using the synchronously working left photodetector 9 and the right photodetector 10, using the principles of photogrammetry and the removal of goods from the operating area of the cashbox 1 using the right photodetector 10. The direction of movement of the goods We denote by the arrow 17, and the direction of the buyer indicated by the arrow 18. Before 1 Checkouts made platform 19 for placing of purchased goods. After box office

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 1 posted block 20 reception of goods sold. Block 20 receiving and issuing the sold goods can be made in the form of a container with a mechanical lock. You can retrieve a sold item if you pay for the purchase. Block 20 receiving and issuing the sold goods can be made in the form of a third source 21 of an alternating magnetic field and a third antenna 22.

In accordance with the present invention, in the method of selling goods, the following sequence of actions is performed: creating a light field of a barcode scanner 4, creating a second field of electromagnetic radiation using a first electromagnetic field source 3, applying a barcode to a unit of goods, labeling a unit of goods , moving a unit of goods in the light radiation field of a barcode scanner 4, receiving a barcode signal from a unit of goods by a receiver scanner 4, moving a unit of goods to electromagnetic ie, the signal reception unit price labels, bar code registration signal from a unit of the product and the signal unit label goods, the completion of the transaction.

The light radiation field of the barcode scanner 4 is created in the electromagnetic radiation field of the second electromagnetic field source 6, while at the boundary of the electromagnetic radiation field of the electromagnetic field source 6, a left zone of the light radiation field is created using the left emitter 16 and a right zone of the light radiation field using the right emitter 17. To register a transaction, it is necessary to register a disturbance signal of the left zone of the field of light radiation of the left emitter 16 using the left photodetector 9, the signal from Product from the second antenna unit 6, the signal readout item barcode and right signal disturbance light radiation field zone via the right photodetector 10.

In addition, the left photodetector 9 and the right photodetector 10 with a joint

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) functioning form a photogrammetric unit. Based on the principles of photogrammetry, it is possible to recognize the image of a product by obtaining a three-dimensional image of a unit of goods in digital form, which can be compared with the image of a unit of goods stored in a database of goods.

After receiving the signal sequence of the left photodetector 9, the second antenna 3, the barcode scanner 4 and the right photodetector 10, the processor generates a command to complete the transaction.

After the buyer pays for the goods, the block 20 of the accumulation of goods is unlocked, and the buyer receives a sanction to take the goods outside the cash terminal.

Permission is also possible from the third antenna 21, which records the signal from the electromagnetic field source 22. (see Fig. 1)

In more detail, the invention is illustrated by the example of a practical implementation, which is presented in the form of states of the block diagram of the cash register terminal in FIG. 2-6.

In FIG. 2 shows a connection diagram of elements of a cash register terminal to a processor 2.

All blocks and elements can be in a certain state with respect to the goods being moved. These states have two positions - “open” and “closed”

The state of a block or element of a cash terminal in the “open” position means the possibility of moving a unit of goods through the registration zone of this element.

The state of a block or element of a cash register terminal in the “closed” position means that it is impossible to move a unit of goods through the registration zone of this element. If this prohibition is violated, signals generated by cash register units

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the terminal is perceived by the processor as an alarm, and means 20 prohibiting the movement of goods are turned on - an alarm, gates, locks, etc.

The initial state of the blocks and elements of the cash register is shown in FIG. 3.

In this state of the cash terminal, it is possible to move a unit of goods through the field of view of the left photodetector 9. For any other movement of the goods, for example, through the first source 15 of the electromagnetic field, the first antenna 16 generates an alarm.

When a unit of goods moves through the field of view of the left photodetector 9, the elements of the cash register terminal go to the next state shown in FIG. four.

The next step, the buyer reads the barcode from the product. In the same period of time, it is possible to recognize the image of the product using photogrammetric block 21, consisting of photodetectors 9 and 10 (figure 4).

If the product image matches the standard and there is a magnetic tag signal from the second antenna 3, then after reading the barcode from the product, the data display shows information about the price of the scanned product and offers to move the product to the basket located on the site twenty.

In this case, before making an offer, move the goods to the basket, the cash register terminal goes into the state - right photo detector 10 “open”.

Thus, only scanned goods can be moved to the site 20 if there is a signal from the tag. Moving another unit of goods through the left photodetector 9 or through the first bipolar source 15 or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the photogrammetric unit 21 generates a prohibition command, which will be reflected on the data display.

After moving the goods through the right photodetector 10, the cash register terminal switches to the state shown in Fig. 4, that is, to the initial state - the state of readiness to continue the transaction with the next unit of goods. If the buyer considers the transaction completed, he calls the command to complete the transaction through the cash register, after which the cash terminal goes into the state shown in FIG. 5. In this state, the credit card scanner of cash registers 5 is activated, the position is “open”. All other blocks are in the “closed” position, that is, the movement of goods through the cash terminal is excluded. The buyer calculates with a credit card, which means completion of the transaction. After that, the cash register terminal changes to the state shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the mechanical blocking is removed from the platform 20 or the third antenna 21 goes into the “open” state, which allows you to move the goods through the region of an alternating magnetic field created by the second bipolar source 22 of an alternating magnetic field. After moving the product trolley outside the terminal, the checkout terminal returns to the previous state shown in FIG. 2.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

Claim. 1. A method of selling a product, including creating an electromagnetic radiation field, creating a light radiation field with a barcode scanner, applying a barcode to a unit of goods, labeling a unit of goods, moving a unit of goods into a light radiation field, receiving a barcode signal from one of goods, moving a unit of goods into an electromagnetic field, receiving a signal of a label of a unit of goods, registering a barcode signal from a unit of goods and a signal of a label of a unit of goods, completing a transaction, characterized in that the light emission field a barcode scanner is created in the field of electromagnetic radiation, while at the boundary of the field of electromagnetic radiation, the left zone of the field of light radiation and the right zone of the field of light radiation are created, and the transaction is completed after the registration of disturbance signals of the left zone of the field of light radiation, signals from the label, bar- code and signal perturbation of the right zone of the field of light radiation. 2. A cash terminal comprising a cash register in which a first antenna, a barcode scanner and a cash register with a display are connected to the processor, a self-service corridor of a cash register with a first electromagnetic field source, characterized in that a second antenna and a second source are introduced of an electromagnetic field, double-pole, between the poles of which a cash box is installed, the left photo detector and the right photo receiver installed in the cash box symmetrically with respect to the barcode scanner. 3. Cash register terminal according to claim 3, characterized in that the left photodetector and the right photodetector are made in the form of a photogrammetric unit. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)