U.S. patent application number 11/354451 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for self-checkout system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Toshihiro Kaneko.
Application Number | 20060185936 11/354451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36083136 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaneko; Toshihiro |
August 24, 2006 |
Self-checkout system
Abstract
A self-checkout system includes a shopping basket table
including a weighing scale, an accounting unit including a scanner
to read data of an article and which executes a transaction based
on read data of the article, and a collecting base that includes
another weighing scale and collects the scanned article. The
shopping basket table, accounting unit and collecting base are
formed as separate block units so that an arranging order and an
arranging direction of the block units are properly settable.
Inventors: |
Kaneko; Toshihiro;
(Shizuoka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
220 Fifth Avenue
16TH Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10001-7708
US
|
Assignee: |
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki
Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
36083136 |
Appl. No.: |
11/354451 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
186/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07G 3/003 20130101;
G07G 1/0054 20130101; A47F 9/047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
186/061 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/02 20060101
A63F009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2005 |
JP |
2005-47154 |
Claims
1. A self-checkout system comprising: an accounting unit which
includes a scanner to scan at least one article to read data of the
article, and which executes a transmission based on the read data
of the article; and a collecting base which includes a loading
surface for supporting each scanned article and a weighing scale
for weighing the article supported by the loading surface; wherein
the accounting unit and the collecting base are formed as
physically separate units such that an arranging order and an
arranging direction of the accounting unit and the collecting base
are changeable.
2. The self-checkout system according to claim 1, further
comprising a shopping basket table which comprises a pre-loading
surface for supporting an article that has not yet been
scanned.
3. The self-checkout system according to claim 2, wherein the
shopping basket table is formed as a separate unit from the
accounting unit and the collecting base.
4. The self-checkout system according to claim 2, wherein the
shopping basket table comprises a pre-weighing scale for weighing
the article supported by the pre-loading surface.
5. The self-checkout system according to claim 3, wherein the
shopping basket table comprises a pre-weighing scale for weighing
the article supported by the pre-loading surface.
6. The self-checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the
scanner is detachable from the accounting unit, to be positioned on
the collecting base.
7. The self-checkout system according to claim 1, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit and the collecting base are
inclined downward such that bottoms of the front faces are recessed
backward.
8. The self-checkout system according to claim 2, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit, the collecting base and the
shopping basket table are inclined downward such that bottoms of
the front faces are recessed backward.
9. The self-checkout system according to claim 3, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit, the collecting base and the
shopping basket table are inclined downward with bottoms of the
front faces being recessed backward.
10. The self-checkout system according to claim 4, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit, the collecting base and the
shopping basket table are inclined downward such that bottoms of
the front faces are recessed backward.
11. The self-checkout system according to claim 5, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit, the collecting base and the
shopping basket table are inclined downward such that bottoms of
the front faces are recessed backward.
12. The self-checkout system according to claim 6, wherein front
faces of bodies of the accounting unit and the collecting base are
inclined downward such that bottoms of the front faces are recessed
backward.
13. The self-checkout system according to claim 3, wherein the
accounting unit, the collecting base and the shopping basket table
are arranged in a fan-like fashion.
14. The self-checkout system according to claim 9, wherein the
accounting unit, the collecting base and the shopping basket table
are arranged in a fan-like fashion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on and claims the benefit
of priority of Japanese Patent Application 2005-047154 filed on
Feb. 23, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a self-checkout system
which is utilized as a form of accounting system at a super market,
and so on.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] A conventional self-checkout system comprises a weighing
unit for weighing a total weight of a basket in which an article(s)
is contained before scanning, an accounting unit having a scanner
for reading a barcode affixed on the article and having a
settlement (transaction) function for executing a settlement based
on a scanned data read by the scanner, and a collection base having
a plastic bag holder that holds a plastic bag used for collecting a
scanned article(s), to constitute an integrated self-check out
system. The self-checkout system requires verification as to
whether the article is registered correctly. Therefore, as shown in
Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-367030, the total weight is
weighed at an upstream and a downstream of a flow of the article in
an accounting process. That is, a first weighing part for weighing
the total weight of the basket in which the article(s) is contained
before scanning, a scanner for reading the article information, and
a second weighing part for weighing the total weight of a basket in
which the scanned article(s) is contained are allocated on a large
counter to constitute an integrated self-checkout system.
[0006] In the conventional self-checkout system, as explained
above, each function is provided along the flow of the article in
the accounting process. Thus, its usage is standardized, and the
article needs to be transferred for a certain long distance, for
example, a distance between an entry and an exit of the counter
having a certain length along the flow of the article. Further,
since the self-checkout system includes a large counter, its
installation in a shop is limited, and it lacks the freedom of
lay-out.
[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a self-checkout system expanding the degree of freedom of
lay-out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To achieve the object of the present invention, a
self-checkout system is provided which includes: (i) an accounting
unit which includes a scanner to scan at least one article to read
data of the article, and which executes a transaction based on the
read data of the article, and (ii) a collecting base which includes
a loading surface for supporting the scanned article, and a
weighing scale for weighing the article supported by the loading
surface. The accounting unit and the collecting base are formed as
separate units such that an arranging order and an arranging
direction of the accounting unit and the collecting base are
changeable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and
many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained
as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a plane view conceptually showing a lay-out of the
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view showing bodies of a shopping basket,
an accounting unit and a collecting base of the embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another lay-out of the
embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another lay-out of the
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. A shopping basket table 1, an
accounting unit 2, and a collection base 3 are formed as separate
block bodies 4, 5 and 6, respectively. The body 4 of the shopping
basket table 1 and the body 6 of the collecting base 3 have
trapezoidal shapes tapering forward (toward the customer) when seen
from the top, and front faces 7 and 8 are inclined downward with
bottoms of the front faces being recessed backward. A front face 9
of the accounting unit 2 is also inclined downward, and a bottom of
the front face 9 is recessed backward. The shopping basket table 1,
the accounting unit 2 and the collecting base 3 are arranged
laterally in such a manner that adjacent side faces approximately
contact each other. Thus, the front faces 7, 8 and 9 of the
shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the collecting
base 3 are arranged along a circular arc.
[0016] The shopping basket table 1 comprises a weighing scale 10 as
a pre-weighing scale on the body 4. The weighing scale 10 has a
loading surface 10a as a pre-loading surface, and a shopping basket
11, in which a customer puts articles he/she wants to buy, is
placed on the loading surface 10a. The total weight of the shopping
basket 11 is weighed.
[0017] Further, the accounting unit 2 comprises a settlement
function part 12 on the body 5. A coin change machine 13 and a bill
change machine 14 are provided below the settlement function part
12. A table 15 is provided above the coin change machine 13 and the
bill change machine 14. Further, a scanner 16, a password input
machine 17 and a receipt printer 18 are provided above the table
15. Still above them, a touch panel 19 and a card reader 20 are
provided. At a central back part of the body 5, a lamp 21 is
provided. The scanner 16 as a scanner block 22 is covered with a
cover and is separable from the body 5.
[0018] Further, the collecting base 3 comprises a weighing scale 23
on the body 6, which is a different weighing scale from the
weighing scale 10 as the pre-weighing scale. The weighing scale 23
has a loading surface 23a. At a back part of the weighing scale 23,
an article placing table 25 is provided via a supporting column 24
standing upward. At a front part of the article placing table 25, a
pair of plastic bag hangers 27 for holding an opening of a plastic
bag 26 for receiving articles protrude from the article placing
table 25. At a center part of the pair of plastic bag hangers 27, a
plastic bag holder 28 for holding layered unused plastic bags 26 is
provided.
[0019] According to the structure explained above, as shown in FIG.
2, the shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the
collecting base 3 are arranged in this order from left to right,
and they are located in such a manner that adjacent side faces of
the bodies approximately contact each other. Since the shopping
basket table 1 and the collecting base 2 have trapezoidal shapes
tapering forward when seen from the top, the front faces 7, 8 and 9
are arranged in a circular arc, that is, in a fan-like fashion. The
shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the collecting
base 3 are connected with power supply and signal lines through
electric wires (not shown). Further, if radio communication is
equipped, which does not require hard-wiring, any arrangement of
these bodies is possible for effective communication.
[0020] A customer places the shopping basket 11, in which an
article he/she wants to purchase is contained, on the loading
surface 10a of the weighing scale 10. Then, a total weight is
transmitted as data to the settlement function part 12, and the
customer scans each article by the scanner 16 according to an
instruction shown on the touch panel 19, and puts a scanned article
into the plastic bag 26 which is hung on the plastic bag hangers 27
at the collecting base 3. The plastic bags 26 are layered and
stocked at the plastic bag holder 28, and the customer picks up one
of the plastic bags 26 and hangs it open on the plastic bag hangers
27. After all the articles are scanned and put in the plastic bag
26, the customer executes an accounting process on the touch panel
19.
[0021] In this accounting process, a payment method as to either by
cash or by card is selected. If cash payment is selected, money is
paid into the coin change machine 13 or the bill change machine 14,
whereas if card payment is selected, a card is swiped through the
card reader 20. On completion of the accounting process, a receipt
is issued from the receipt printer 18. When there is change, change
is given from the coin change machine 13 or the bill change machine
14, and then checkout is completed. During this process, the total
weight including the shopping basket 11 has been weighed by the
weighing scale 10 of the shopping basket table 1, and a total
weight of the scanned articles is weighed by the weighing scale 23
of the collecting base 3. By comparing the weight which is obtained
by subtracting a weight of the shopping basket 11 from the weight
data obtained by the weighing scale 10, and the weight obtained by
the weighing scale 23, whether or not all the registered articles
have been transferred to the plastic bag 26 can be confirmed.
Thereby, dishonest acts can be prevented. Here, the accounting unit
2 includes a controller (POS), power supply, and so on to execute
control of each machine.
[0022] Some kinds of articles can be easily damaged by deformation,
and by other reasons. Thus, they may need to be kept out of the
plastic bag 26 until other articles are finished being scanned. In
this case, such articles can be placed on the article placing table
25 temporarily, and then can be put in the plastic bag 26
later.
[0023] As described above, by arranging the shopping basket table
1, the accounting unit 2 and the collecting base 3 in a fan-like
fashion, a movement of scanning an article which is taken from the
shopping basket 11 on the shopping basket table 1 and is put in the
plastic bag 26 on the collecting base 3 can be performed with a
circular movement in such a way that the customer, who stands in
front of the accounting unit 2, turns around. Therefore, the
customer can perform a self-checkout process standing at a certain
single position. This improves workability.
[0024] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, since the front faces 7, 8 and
9 of the shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the
collecting base 3 are inclined downward with bottoms of the front
faces being recessed backward, even a customer with a wheelchair
can closely approach the shopping basket table 1, the accounting
unit 2 and the collecting base 3, and thereby operability can be
improved. This, to be sure, goes for a standing customer, whose
toes can be accommodated in the spaces made under the inclined
front faces so that he/she can closely approach the shopping basket
table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the collecting base 3. This
improves workability. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 with a dashed
line, the scanner block 22 can be detached from the accounting unit
2 and can be placed on the article placing table 25. Thereby,
scanning of the articles can be performed on the collecting base 3,
and therefore the customer's moving distance becomes shortened and
operability can be improved.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another arrangement of
the shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the
collecting base 3. Reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be
used to designate the same elements in FIG. 4 (and FIG. 5), and the
overlapping explanations will be omitted. In this arrangement, the
accounting unit 2 is placed laterally on the right side of the
shopping basket table 1, and the collecting base 3 is placed at a
right angle position which faces a customer. Since the shopping
basket table 1 and the collecting unit 2 are arranged in line and
the collecting base 3 faces the customer at a right angle with
respect to the other two units, the units as a whole are in
L-shaped arrangement. With this arrangement, the moving distance
from the shopping basket 11 to the plastic bag 26 is shortened and
operability can be improved.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another arrangement of
the shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the
collecting base 3. In this arrangement, the shopping basket table
1, the collecting base 3 and the accounting unit 2 are arranged in
this order from left to right, and the scanning block 22 is
detached from the accounting unit 2 and set on the article placing
table 25 of the collecting base 3. With this arrangement, a reading
motion of an article can be performed only by an action of
transferring the article a short distance between the shopping
basket table 1 and the collecting base 3, thereby a burden to a
customer can be reduced. With this short distance to transfer the
article, the customer scans all the articles to input all the
article data, and then executes an accounting process and completes
self-checkout in front of the accounting unit 2.
[0027] In the present invention as described above, a lay-out of
the shopping basket table 1, the accounting unit 2 and the
collecting base 3 is freely changeable. Therefore, even if a
certain lay-out is first adopted when the system is installed,
another lay-out that is satisfactory to customers can be
adopted.
[0028] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *