MODULAR SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT DESK

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a checkout system with interconnected self-service checkout counters, in which a control unit serves as the central goods dispensing unit for goods requiring verification, as described in independent claim 1. In a further embodiment according to claim 3, the checkout system comprises a combination of an attended checkout counter and at least one self-service checkout counter, wherein the attended checkout counter can control the dispensing of goods requiring verification for both checkout types. Claim 14 describes a method for operating the checkout system, which includes detecting a request signal for goods requiring verification and the subsequent verification of a factor to be verified, such as proof of age.

[0002] Self-service checkouts are required, especially in retail stores, to allow customers to pay for their purchases themselves. These self-service checkouts have the advantage of taking up less space than human-operated checkouts and, by eliminating personnel costs, represent a cost-effective alternative to manned checkouts. State of the art

[0003] Numerous variants of self-service checkout counters are known in the state of the art, allowing users to independently pay for goods and products in various ways. Self-service checkout counters are typically used as an alternative to regular checkout counters.

[0004] US 6 598 791 B2, searched by the European Office, discloses a checkout system that can also be used as a self-service checkout counter. A security device is provided to ensure that the items billed correspond to the items actually removed from the store. Further relevant prior art is disclosed in documents DE 10 2006 024 887 A1, US 5 952 642 A, SE 1 751 588 A1, and EP 0 994 447 A1.

[0005] However, there are no self-service checkouts with integrated merchandise dispensers. However, the sale of items that are vulnerable to theft and / or subject to age restrictions is only desirable and / or sensible in checkout areas. Task

[0006] The object of the invention is to offer a self-service checkout counter which allows a customer to This enables the purchase of goods at risk of theft and / or age-restricted items at the self-service checkout counter. A further object of the invention is the dispensing of said goods through the combined use of at least two self-service checkout counters. A further object of the invention is the dispensing of said goods through the combined use of a checkout counter and at least one self-service checkout counter. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The embodiment according to the invention proposes a cash register system consisting of interconnected self-service checkout counters, wherein a control unit serves as a central goods dispensing unit for the dispensing of goods subject to inspection.Each self-service checkout counter comprises at least one registration unit for registering goods to be invoiced, a weighing device for weighing the goods to be invoiced, a payment unit for settling a monetary amount to be paid, a computing unit for recording, processing and providing data, a display unit for visually displaying at least one file provided by the computing unit and a receipt issuing unit for issuing a cash register receipt, wherein a goods dispensing area is assigned to the self-service checkout counter and wherein the goods dispensing area is provided for dispensing at least one item subject to inspection and wherein a confirmation signal is sent to the computing unit for dispensing the item subject to inspection.

[0008] A goods dispensing unit is assigned to the goods dispensing area of ​​the self-service checkout counter. The goods dispensing unit is ideally installed as a module within the self-service checkout counter. Furthermore, the goods dispensing unit is designed to transport goods requiring inspection to the goods dispensing area. The goods dispensing unit is connected to at least the processing unit and transmits at least one request signal to the processing unit and receives at least one confirmation signal from the processing unit. The request signal is sent to the processing unit, for example, by a customer via the display unit.

[0009] Modular means, in particular, that various units can be added to the self-service checkout counter according to the invention in a modular manner. The self-service checkout counter according to the invention therefore has areas intended for the addition of further units. The payment unit is particularly intended for cashless payment using a debit card, a credit card, or a payment function of a mobile device, for example an application for a smartphone using near-field communication. A monitor is provided as the display unit. Ideally, the display unit is designed as a touch-operable display panel, i.e., a touchscreen. The receipt issuing unit is initially designed to print a receipt. Alternatively, the receipt issuing unit can also be designed to display a digital receipt.For this purpose, a small display unit can be installed in the receipt dispenser, which displays a scannable barcode or a "Quick Response" code (QR code) as soon as a payment transaction is completed. A programmable control unit or a programmable computer is specifically provided as the processing unit. This processing unit is intended, in particular, to effectively network the modules used in the modular self-service checkout counter and control the individual units according to the needs and progress of the checkout process. Goods subject to inspection primarily include goods at risk of theft and / or age-restricted goods, especially tobacco products.

[0010] A further developed embodiment provides that, upon detecting at least one request signal, the computing unit requests a check of a factor to be verified. The factor to be verified is logically understood to be proof of age.

[0011] In a simple embodiment, after detecting at least one request signal, the processing unit receives a command to send the confirmation signal from at least one authorized person. This could be, for example, a cashier or a supervisor. The cashier can be positioned at a standard checkout counter.

[0012] In a further embodiment, after detecting at least one request signal, the processing unit receives a command to send the confirmation signal from at least the payment unit. The payment unit can, for example, be designed to identify proof of identity, so that after recognition of proof of identity, the confirmation signal is sent to the processing unit. Furthermore, the modular self-service checkout counter can be equipped with an identity confirmation unit, for example a fingerprint scanner or a camera for facial recognition. This identity confirmation unit compares, for example, the customer's identity data with the presented proof of identity and, if identification is positive, sends the confirmation signal to the processing unit. The processing unit then sends a command to the goods dispensing unit to dispense the desired goods subject to verification.

[0013] The aforementioned embodiment for issuing the confirmation signal by an authorized person is usefully further developed in that the computing unit outputs a signal to at least one signaling unit simultaneously with the receipt of a request command. The signaling unit is designed to output an acoustic signal. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling unit is designed to output an optical signal. The signaling unit is designed, for example, as a signal lantern. Alternatively or additionally, a further signaling unit is embedded in the side of the self-service checkout counter. The optical signal, possibly combined with an acoustic signal, alerts an authorized person that they must trigger a confirmation signal to the computing unit.It makes sense for the authorized person to first verify the identity of the customer who triggered a request signal to the processing unit before the authorized person triggers the confirmation signal: In one embodiment, the processing unit outputs a signal to a display unit simultaneously with the receipt of a request signal. In this way, a customer who has triggered the request signal can be alerted that a request signal has been triggered and that a factor to be verified must be checked.

[0014] A further embodiment of the invention provides a checkout system consisting of at least two self-service checkouts according to the invention, wherein one self-service checkout is designed as a master unit and at least one further self-service checkout is designed as a simulating unit, wherein the master unit has a goods dispensing unit. In this way, a type of master-slave control is established, whereby, for example, the capacity of the computing units can be combined. In addition, this coupling of at least two self-service checkouts according to the invention also enables a combination of different modules, which can be used individually for at least two self-service checkouts.

[0015] In an exciting embodiment, such a checkout system is equipped with a common goods dispensing unit, which is preferably located within a control unit. The goods dispensing area of ​​the control unit is then connected to the goods dispensing area of ​​the at least one imitation unit. The request signals from both the control unit and the at least one imitation unit are also processed in combination. This means that the request signals can be sent simultaneously at all self-service checkouts and are either processed by the combined processing unit or forwarded from an imitation unit to a control unit.

[0016] An alternative embodiment provides a checkout system comprising a checkout counter, wherein the checkout counter has at least one computing unit, at least one goods dispensing area, and at least one goods dispensing unit, and at least one self-service checkout counter according to the invention, wherein the checkout counter is designed to be operated by an authorized person, and wherein the goods dispensing unit of the checkout counter is connected to the goods dispensing area of ​​the checkout counter and the goods dispensing area of ​​the self-service checkout counter, and the computing unit of the checkout counter receives the request signals from the checkout counter and the self-service checkout counter. This embodiment enables the authorized person of the checkout counter to output at least one confirmation signal for a checkout counter and a confirmation signal for the self-service checkout counter. Example

[0017] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a modular self-service checkout counter; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a checkout counter system consisting of two self-service checkout counters; Fig. 3: a perspective view of a checkout counter system consisting of one checkout counter and two self-service checkout counters.

[0018] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0019] The Figure 1shows a self-service checkout counter 1 according to the invention. The self-service checkout counter 1 has a registration unit 2 designed as a scanner, as well as a weighing device 3 for determining the weight of the goods registered. A payment unit 4 is provided for paying for the goods to be purchased. In addition, the self-service checkout counter 1 has a computing unit 5 stored in a compartment, which networks all modules and units of the self-service checkout counter 1 and is designed to execute programs and program sequences. Furthermore, a display unit 6 and a receipt output unit 7 are provided. The display unit 6 is expediently designed as a touchscreen. The receipt output unit is expediently capable of displaying digital receipts. Signal units 8 and 8' are provided for various events.Signal units 8 and 8' are particularly useful for the purchase of goods subject to inspection, informing authorized personnel that confirmation or approval is required for the goods subject to inspection. A goods issue unit 9 is designed to store goods subject to inspection and transport them to a goods issue area 10 upon command from the processing unit 5.

[0020] The Figure 2shows a checkout system 11 consisting of two self-service checkouts 1 according to the invention, wherein one self-service checkout 1 is designed as a control unit 13 and wherein one self-service checkout 1 is designed as a simulation unit 14. Ideally, the computing units 5 of both self-service checkouts 1 shown can be connected. Furthermore, the goods dispensing areas 10 of both self-service checkouts 1 are connected to one another, so that one goods dispensing unit 9 is capable of supplying both goods dispensing areas, in particular with goods subject to inspection.

[0021] A particularly useful embodiment is shown in the Figure 3The checkout counter system 11' shown here consists of a checkout counter 12 and, by way of example, two self-service checkout counters 1 according to the invention. The checkout counter is designed as a control unit 13, and the self-service checkout counters 1 are designed as imitation units 14. The checkout counter 12 is provided with a goods dispensing unit 9. The goods dispensing unit 9 is designed to supply the checkout counter 12 with goods subject to inspection. Due to the modular design of the self-service checkout counters 1, the goods dispensing areas 10 can be connected to the goods dispensing unit 9, so that a goods dispensing unit 9 can simultaneously supply the checkout counter 12 and the self-service checkout counters 1, in particular their goods dispensing areas 10, with goods subject to inspection.As soon as a customer requests a product requiring verification at one of the self-service checkout counters 1, the corresponding signal unit 8 and / or 8' is activated by the processing unit, so that an authorized person, in particular a person manning the checkout counter 12, can transmit a confirmation signal to the processing unit 5. The confirmation signal is preferably issued after verifying the identity or the required age.

[0022] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged. Modular self-service checkout counter List of reference symbols

[0023] 1 Self-service checkout counter 2 Registration unit 3 Weighing device 4 6, Payment unit 5 Calculation unit 6 Display unit 7 Receipt unit 8, 8 Signal unit 9 Goods issue unit 10 Goods issue area 11, 11 Checkout counter system 12 Checkout counter 13 Control unit 14 Imitation unit

Claims

1. Cash desk system (11) consisting of at least two self-service cash desks (1), the self-service cash desks (1) comprising at least one registration unit (2) for registering goods to be charged, a weighing device (3) for weighing the goods to be charged, a payment unit (4) for settling an amount of money to be paid, a computing unit (5) for recording, processing and providing data, a display unit (6) for visually displaying at least one file provided by the computing unit (5) and a receipt output unit (7) for outputting a cash register receipt, wherein the self-service cash desks (1) are each assigned a goods dispensing area (10) for dispensing at least one item of goods subject to inspection, wherein a confirmation signal is sent to the computing unit (5) for dispensing the item of goods subject to inspection, wherein one of the self-service cash desks (1) is designed as a control unit (13) and at least one other of the self-service cash desks (1) is designed as an imitation unit (14), wherein the control unit (13) has a goods dispensing unit (9), characterised in that the goods dispensing areas (10) of the self-service cash desks (1) are connected to one another, so that the goods dispensing unit (9) of the control unit (13) is able to supply the goods dispensing areas (10) of the self-service cash desks (1) with goods subject to inspection.

2. Cash desk system (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the goods dispensing unit (9) of the control unit (13) is connected to the goods dispensing area (10) of the control unit (13) and the goods dispensing area (10) of the at least one imitation unit (14) and receives the request signals from both the control unit (13) and the at least one imitation unit (14).

3. Cash desk system (11') comprising a cash desk (12), wherein the cash desk (12) has at least one computing unit (5), at least one goods dispensing area and at least one goods dispensing unit (9), and at least one self-service cash desk (1), wherein the self-service cash desk (1) has at least one registration unit (2) for detecting goods to be charged, a weighing device (3) for weighing the goods to be charged, a payment unit (4) for settling an amount of money to be paid, a computing unit (5) for recording, processing and providing data, a display unit (6) for visually displaying at least one file provided by the computing unit (5) and a receipt output unit (7) for outputting a cash register receipt, wherein a goods dispensing area (10) is associated with the at least one self-service cash desk (1) for dispensing at least one item of goods subject to inspection, wherein a confirmation signal is sent to the computing unit (5) for dispensing the item of goods subject to inspection, and wherein the cash desk (12) is designed to be operated by an authorised person, characterised in that the goods dispending unit (9) of the cash desk (12) is connected to the goods dispending area of the cash desk (12) and the goods dispending area (10) of the self-service cash desk (1) and the computing unit (5) of the cash desk (12) receives the request signals from the cash desk (12) and the self-service cash desk (1).

4. Cash desk system (11') according to claim 3, characterised in that the authorised person of the cash desk (12) issues at least one confirmation signal for a self-service cash desk (1).

5. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the goods dispending unit (9) is at least connected to the computing unit (5) and transmits at least one request signal to the computing unit (5) and receives at least one confirmation signal from the computing unit.

6. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the computing unit (5) requests a check of a factor to be verified when at least one request signal is detected.

7. Cash desk system (11) according to claim 6, characterised in that the factor to be verified is a proof of age.

8. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the computing unit (5) receives a confirmation signal from an authorised person after detection of at least one request signal.

9. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the computing unit (5) receives a confirmation signal from at least the payment unit (4) after detecting at least one request signal.

10. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the computing unit (5) outputs a signal to at least one signal unit (8, 8') simultaneously with the receipt of a request command.

11. Cash desk system (11) according to claim 10, characterised in that the signal unit (8, 8') emits an acoustic signal and / or in that the signal unit (8, 8') emits an optical signal.

12. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the computing unit (5) emits a signal to a display unit (6) at the same time as a request signal is received.

13. Cash desk system (11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the self-service cash desk (1) is provided with an identity confirmation unit, in particular with a fingerprint scanner or a camera for facial recognition, in particular the identity confirmation unit comparing, for example, the identity data of the customer with the proof of identity presented and, in the event of positive identification, emitting the confirmation signal to the computing unit.

14. Method for operating a cash desk system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that when at least one request signal for a product requiring verification is detected, a check of a factor to be verified is requested, preferably a proof of age.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that the computing unit receives a command to send a confirmation signal by at least one cashier and / or by at least the payment unit, wherein preferably the self-service cash desk (1) can be provided with an identity confirmation unit, in particular with a fingerprint scanner or a camera for facial recognition, wherein in particular the identity confirmation unit compares, for example, the identity data of the customer with the proof of identity presented and, in the event of positive identification, transmits the confirmation signal to the computing unit, and / or wherein preferably the computing unit, after positive identification, issues a command to the goods issuing unit to issue the desired goods requiring verification.