Commodity information processing device

Abstract

To enable both a shop clerk and a customer to easily handle a commodity information processing device.SOLUTION: A commodity information processing device is used in a state arranged between a shop clerk who performs purchase processing for a commodity and a customer who purchases the commodity. The commodity information processing device is mounted on a support member for purchasing the commodity. The support member is a counter, for example. The shop clerk and the customer face each other with the support member interposed between them. An enclosure of the commodity information processing device is provided with a plurality of arrangement areas for arranging an input / output unit. The input / output unit performs at least one of input and output of information concerning the commodity. The input / output unit is directed to a direction different from the shop clerk and the customer in plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A store that sells products is provided with a product information processing device such as a POS terminal. This product information processing device has a product information reading device that reads information from products (e.g., barcodes or two-dimensional codes) and a printing device that prints receipts and the like.

[0003] Meanwhile, in recent years, it has been considered to allow both store clerks and customers to operate product information processing devices. Patent Document 1 describes a POS terminal device in which the cash register can be rotated relative to the base. In this way, the orientation of the cash register can be changed depending on whether the store clerk is operating the POS terminal device or the customer is operating the POS terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-020370 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present inventors have considered how to make the product information processing device easy to use for both store clerks and customers without having to change the orientation of the product information processing device by devising a layout of the components that make up the product information processing device.

[0006] One object of the present invention is to make the product information processing device easy to use for both store clerks and customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a product information processing device that is installed in a store, disposed between a store clerk who performs a product purchase process and a customer who purchases the product, and processes product purchases, comprising: an input / output unit that faces a different direction from the store clerk and the customer in a plan view and that inputs and / or outputs information about products; Equipped with a housing of the product information processing device is provided with a plurality of arrangement areas for arranging the input / output means; A product information processing device is provided.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a display device that includes: a plurality of input / output areas provided for inputting and / or outputting information about a product, the input / output areas having transmission areas or openings for passing electromagnetic waves; an arrangement area for arranging an input / output unit that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input / output areas and that performs at least one of input and output of information related to the product via the input / output area; Equipped with A product information processing device having the input / output means in at least one of the placement areas is included.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a product information processing device that is used in a store where a product is purchased and that performs a product purchase process, The product information processing device faces upward and includes an input / output means for inputting and / or outputting information about products. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the product information processing device can be made easy to use for both store clerks and customers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The above objects, as well as other objects, features and advantages, will become more apparent from the following preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a configuration of a product information processing device according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a product information processing device according to a second modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information processing device according to a modified example of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view of the product information processing device shown in FIG. 9. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a product information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. This diagram corresponds to a view (plan view) of the product information processing device 10 seen from above. The product information processing device 10 is a device used in a store, and has, for example, at least one of a product registration function and a payment function. For example, the product information processing device 10 may be a device for a store clerk to both register products and make payments, a device for a customer to both register products and make payments, a device for a store clerk to register products, or a device for a customer to make payments.

[0015] The product information processing device 10 is used in a state where it is placed between a store clerk who processes the purchase of a product and a customer who purchases a product. In the example shown in the figure, the product information processing device 10 is placed on a support member 20 for purchasing a product. The support member 20 is, for example, a counter. The store clerk and the customer face each other with the support member 20 in between. The product information processing device 10 has an input / output unit 140. The input / output unit 140 performs at least one of input and output of information related to a product. In a plan view, the input / output unit 140 faces in a different direction from the store clerk and the customer. This makes the input / output unit 140 easy for both the customer and the store clerk to use.

[0016] In the example shown in the figure, the product information processing device 10 has a housing 12. The housing 12 has, on its side, a first area 110 facing a store clerk, a second area 120 facing a customer, and a third area 130 located between the first area 110 and the second area 120. An input / output unit 140 is provided inside the housing 12. The input / output unit 140 faces the third area 130 from the inside of the housing 12.

[0017] The input / output unit 140 has, for example, a printing device that prints receipts and / or coupons, or an information reading device that reads information from a product. The information reading device reads information identifying a product for sale from the product. The information reading device may be, for example, a code reader that reads a barcode or two-dimensional code, or an imaging device that images a product. In the former case, the product information processing device 10 identifies a product for sale using a code assigned to the product (for example, a JAN code or an EAN code). In the latter case, the product information processing device 10 identifies a product for sale using appearance information (for example, an image) of the product.

[0018] In the example shown in the figure, the input / output unit 140 has an input / output surface 142 where information is input and output. The third area 130 of the housing 12 has an input / output area 144 in an area facing the input / output surface 142. The input / output area 144 is an area where the input / output unit 140 reads information from outside the housing 12, or an area where the input / output unit 140 outputs information to the outside of the housing 12. When the input / output unit 140 is a printing device, the input / output area 144 is an opening for paper ejection. When the input / output unit 140 is an information reading device, the input / output area 144 is a window that transmits electromagnetic waves such as light (including outside the visible range, such as infrared).

[0019] The support member 20 has a first side 22 and a second side 24 in a plan view. The first side 22 faces the customer, and the second side 24 faces the store clerk. In the example shown in the figure, the first side 22 and the second side 24 are substantially parallel to each other. The angle θ between the first side 22 and the input / output surface 142 (or the input / output area 144) of the input / output unit 140 is, for example, 60° to 120°, or more, 80° to 100°. When the first side 22 and the second side 24 are parallel, the angle between the second side 24 and the input / output surface 142 is, for example, 60° to 120°, or more, 80° to 100°.

[0020] In the example shown in the figure, the housing 12 has four or more sides. The first area 110 is the side facing the store clerk, the second area 120 is the side facing the customer, and the third area 130 is the side located between these two sides.

[0021] 2, the boundaries of each side surface may be curved in plan view. In this case, the first region 110, the second region 120, and the third region 130 are all regions different from the curved boundary portions of the side surfaces.

[0022] 1 and 2, the input / output unit 140 is located at or near the center between the first area 110 and the second area 120 in the direction connecting the first area 110 and the second area 120 (i.e., between the store clerk and the customer). As an example, a distance L1 from the first area 110 to the center of the input / output unit 140 (or the input / output area 144) is 40% or more and 60% or less of an interval L2 between the first area 110 and the second area 120.

[0023] 3, the input / output unit 140 may be located closer to the second area 120 than the first area 110. As an example, the above-mentioned distance L1 is more than 60% of the above-mentioned interval L2. Such a layout is suitable, for example, when the input / output unit 140 is an information reading device and an information reading device for a store clerk (including a handheld scanner) is provided in the first area 110 of the product information processing device 10.

[0024] 1 to 3, the input / output unit 140 of the product information processing device 10 faces to the right with respect to the customer. This is because the product is placed in an area of ​​the support member 20 on the right side of the product information processing device 10. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the input / output unit 140 of the product information processing device 10 may face to the left with respect to the customer. In this case, the product is placed in an area of ​​the support member 20 on the left side of the product information processing device 10.

[0025] (Variation 1) 5 is a plan view showing a configuration of a product information processing device 10 according to Modification 1. The product information processing device 10 according to this modification is similar to the product information processing device 10 according to the embodiment, except for the following points.

[0026] First, the product information processing device 10 has a first display 160 and a second display 162. The first display 160 and the second display 162 may be touch panels. The first display 160 faces the store clerk, and the second display 162 faces the customer. That is, the first display 160 and the second display 162 face in opposite directions. When the display surface of the first display 160 is used as a reference, the orientation of the input / output surface 142 of the input / output unit 140 is 60° or more and 120° or less, preferably 70° or more and 110° or less.

[0027] The product information processing device 10 also includes a handheld information reading device 170. The information reading device 170 is located next to the first display 160, for example.

[0028] (Variation 2) 6 is a perspective view of a product information processing device 10 according to this modification. This modification is similar to modification 1 except for the following points.

[0029] First, the product information processing device 10 does not have a housing 12. The product information processing device 10 has an input / output unit 140a as a printing device and an input / output unit 140b as an information reading device. The input / output unit 140b is located above the input / output unit 140a. In the width direction of the support member 20, the center of the input / output unit 140b is located closer to the customer than the center of the input / output unit 140a. The orientation of the input / output units 140a, 140b is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0030] The product information processing device 10 may also have a mounting member. The mounting member is, for example, a tray-shaped member. Other functional units of the product information processing device 10 (for example, the input / output units 140a, 140b, the first display 160, and the second display 162) are placed on the mounting member. These functional units are preferably fixed to the mounting member. In a plan view, the shape of the mounting member is the same as the shape of the housing 12 in the embodiment. The orientation of the input / output units 140a, 140b when the mounting member is used as a reference is the same as the orientation of the input / output unit 140 when the housing 12 is used as a reference in the embodiment.

[0031] As described above, according to this embodiment and modifications 1 and 2, the input / output unit 140 of the product information processing device 10 faces in a direction different from that of the store clerk and the customer. This makes the input / output unit 140 easy to use for both the customer and the store clerk.

[0032] Second embodiment 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a product information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. This diagram is a side view of the product information processing device 10. The product information processing device 10 according to this embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment or modified example except for the following points.

[0033] First, the input / output surface 142 of the input / output unit 140 faces upward. In the example shown in the figure, the input / output surface 142 faces an upward facing surface of the housing 12 (hereinafter, referred to as the top surface 150). The area of ​​the top surface 150 facing the input / output surface 142 is the input / output area 144. Therefore, the input / output unit 140 outputs information upward and / or acquires information from above.

[0034] The housing 12 may have a portion located higher than the top surface 150. The product information processing device 10 may also have a device (for example, a touch panel or a handy scanner) located higher than the top surface 150.

[0035] In this embodiment, the input / output surface 142 of the input / output unit 140 faces upward. Therefore, the input / output unit 140 is easy for both customers and store clerks to use.

[0036] Third embodiment 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a product information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The product information processing device 10 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the product information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment, except for the following points.

[0037] First, the housing 12 of the product information processing device 10 has a plurality of input / output areas 144. The plurality of input / output areas 144 face in different directions. In the example shown in the figure, the input / output areas 144 are provided on different faces of the housing 12 (for example, the face facing the store clerk (first area 110), the right side as seen from the customer (for example, third area 130), and the left side as seen from the customer (for example, the side opposite to the third area 130).

[0038] Inside the housing 12, arrangement areas 146 are provided for each of the multiple input / output areas 144. The arrangement areas 146 are areas for arranging the input / output units 140. The input / output units 140 are provided in, for example, one of the arrangement areas 146, and are not provided in the remaining arrangement areas 146. Therefore, the housing 12 of the product information processing device 10 has at least one arrangement area 146 that is hollow when in use. Note that other components may be arranged in the arrangement area 146 that is to be hollow.

[0039] At least one arrangement region 146 may be connected to another arrangement region 146. In this case, a part of the arrangement region 146 overlaps with the other arrangement region 146. In this way, although the input / output unit 140 cannot be arranged in these two arrangement regions 146 at the same time, the dead space inside the housing 12 can be reduced.

[0040] Incidentally, it is preferable that the input / output area 144 corresponding to the arrangement area 146 where the input / output unit 140 is not provided is covered by a covering portion 148. The covering portion 148 is, for example, a removable lid (cover), and preferably has, for example, the same color as the housing 12. In this way, the unused input / output area 144 becomes less noticeable, so that the store clerk and the customer can easily know which input / output area 144 to use.

[0041] (Modification) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product information processing device 10 according to a modified example of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a side view of the product information processing device 10 shown in Fig. 9. In the example shown in this figure, as shown in Fig. 9, an input / output area 144 is provided on each of the right side surface (e.g., the third area 130) and the left side surface of the housing 12 as seen from the customer. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, an input / output area 144 is also provided on the top surface 150 of the housing 12. And, a placement area 146 is provided for each of these multiple input / output areas 144.

[0042] According to this embodiment and the modified example, when the input / output unit 140 is installed on the right side surface as seen from the customer, the left side surface as seen from the customer, or the top surface 150 of the housing 12, the input / output unit 140 becomes easy to use for both customers and store clerks. Also, the orientation of the input / output unit 140 becomes easier to change. Furthermore, since the input / output unit 140 can be faced toward the store clerk, the versatility of the product information processing device 10 is expanded.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

[0044] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A product information processing device that is installed in a store and is used in a state where it is placed between a store clerk who processes product purchases and a customer who purchases the product, and processes product purchases, an input / output unit that faces a different direction from the store clerk and the customer in a plan view and that inputs and / or outputs information about products; A product information processing device comprising: 2. In the product information processing device according to the above item 1, the product information processing device is disposed on a support member located between the customer and the store clerk, the support member has a first side facing the customer in a plan view, A product information processing device in which the orientation of the input / output means with respect to the first side is between 60° and 120°. 3. In the product information processing device according to the above item 1, a first display facing the store clerk; A product information processing device, wherein an orientation of the input / output means with respect to a display surface of the first display is equal to or greater than 60° and equal to or less than 120° in a plan view. 4. In the product information processing device according to 1 or 2 above, a housing having a first area facing the store clerk, a second area facing the customer, and a third area between the first area and the second area on a side thereof; The input / output means faces the third area from the inside. 5. In the product information processing device according to 4 above, The housing has four or more sides; The first region and the second region are two of the side surfaces facing each other, A product information processing device, wherein the third region is the side located between the two side surfaces. 6. In the product information processing device according to any one of 1 to 5 above, the input / output means is a printing device, A product information processing apparatus, wherein a paper discharge outlet for discharging printed matter by the printing device faces in a direction different from that of the store clerk and the customer. 7. In the product information processing device according to any one of 1 to 5 above, The input / output means is an information reading device that reads information from a product. 8. In the product information processing device according to the above item 7, In a width direction connecting the store clerk and the customer, the information reading device is closer to the customer than the store clerk. 9. A plurality of input / output areas provided for inputting and / or outputting information about products, each having a transparent area or an opening for passing electromagnetic waves; an arrangement area for arranging an input / output unit that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input / output areas and that performs at least one of input and output of information related to the product via the input / output area; Equipped with A product information processing device having the input / output means in at least one of the placement areas. 10. In the product information processing device according to the above item 9, The product information processing device has a plurality of surfaces, A product information processing device, wherein at least two of the plurality of input / output areas are provided on different surfaces. 11. In the product information processing device according to the above 9 or 10, A product information processing device having covering means for covering the input / output area where the input / output means is not provided. 12. In the product information processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the input / output means is a printing device, The input / output area includes the opening for discharging printed matter from the printing device. 13. In the product information processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, the input / output means is an information reading device that reads information from a commodity, The input / output area includes the transparent area. 14. A product information processing device used in a store where products are purchased and which processes product purchases, A product information processing device that faces upward and has input / output means for inputting and / or outputting information about products. 15. In the product information processing device according to claim 14, The input / output means includes a printing device, A product information processing apparatus in which an opening for discharging printed matter from the printing device faces upward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Product information processing device 12. Chassis 20 Support member 22 Side 1 24 Side 2 110 1st area 120 Second area 130 Third area 140 Input / output section 142 Input / Output Surface 144 Input / output area 146 Placement area 148 Covering part 150 Top 160 1st Display 162 Second Display 170 Information reading device

Claims

1. A product information processing device that is installed in a store, disposed between a store clerk who processes product purchases and a customer who purchases the product, and processes product purchases, an input / output unit that faces a different direction from the store clerk and the customer in a plan view and that inputs and / or outputs information about products; Equipped with a housing of the product information processing device is provided with a plurality of arrangement areas for arranging the input / output means; Product information processing device.

2. The input / output means is detachable from the arrangement area. The product information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The plurality of arrangement areas include a first arrangement area provided on a first surface of the housing, and a second arrangement area provided on a second surface of the housing different from the first surface. The product information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The plurality of placement areas are provided on at least two of a first side surface of the housing facing the store clerk, a second side surface of the housing facing a direction intersecting with a direction of the customer, a third side surface of the housing facing the second side surface, and a top surface of the housing. The product information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. Further comprising a covering means for covering the placement area, an area in which the input / output means is not arranged among the plurality of arrangement areas is covered by the covering means; The product information processing device according to claim 1 .

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