Merchandise sales device

Abstract

To enable a use pattern to be changed in accordance with various store environments.SOLUTION: A merchandise sales device of an embodiment includes a main body device and a support member. The main body device performs information processing for merchandise sales while accepting an operation from an operator. The support member can selectively form a first state where the main body device is placed at a horizontal surface while a predetermined attitude is maintained, and a second state where the main body device can be fixed to a vertical surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product vending device and a support member. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various types of product sales devices that process information related to product sales, such as point-of-sale (POS) terminal devices, each of which is configured to suit different usage patterns. When introducing a product sales device into a store, one that is configured to suit the store environment is selected from among these types. For these reasons, it has been desirable to be able to change the mode of use to accommodate a variety of store environments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-259990 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a product vending device and a support member that can be adapted to various store environments and can be used in different ways. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The product vending device according to the embodiment includes a main body and a support member. The main body processes information related to product vending while being operated by an operator. The support member can selectively be formed into a first state in which the main body can be placed on a horizontal surface while maintaining a predetermined posture, and a second state in which the main body can be fixed to a vertical surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a POS terminal device according to a first embodiment in a first usage mode. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the POS terminal device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the POS terminal device according to the first embodiment in a second usage mode. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of three POS terminal devices attached to a wall of a store. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage state of a POS terminal device attached to a wall surface. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a POS terminal device according to a second embodiment in a first usage mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a POS terminal device according to a third embodiment in a first usage mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a usage state in a first usage mode of a POS terminal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a usage state in a second usage mode in the first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the POS terminal device is attached to the slide rail. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the POS terminal device is attached to the height adjustment plate. [Figure 12] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure for attaching the first member to a height adjustment plate. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the usage situation in the second usage mode of the POS terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a POS terminal device 1 according to a first embodiment in a first usage mode.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the POS terminal device 1 shown in FIG. The POS terminal device 1 performs information processing (hereinafter referred to as registration processing) for registering products to be sold in response to operations by an operator. The POS terminal device 1 performs information processing (hereinafter referred to as accounting processing) for accounting the price of products registered as products to be sold in response to operations by an operator. In other words, the POS terminal device 1 is an example of a product sales device that performs information processing such as registration processing and accounting processing related to product sales. The accounting processing includes accounting processing for accounting the price and settlement processing for settling the price.

[0009] The POS terminal device 1 includes a main device 10 and a support member 20. The main unit 10 includes various devices for processing information related to product sales. 1 and 2 show devices exposed to the outside of the housing, namely, a touch panel 11, a scanner 12, a receipt printer 13, and a payment unit 14. The touch panel 11, the scanner 12, the receipt printer 13, and the payment unit 14 are provided facing the same surface of the housing (hereinafter referred to as the operation surface). The main unit 10 accommodates other devices such as a computer and a communication unit inside the housing.

[0010] The touch panel 11 displays various screens for presenting various information to the operator, and inputs instructions from the operator in response to a touch operation on the screen by the operator. The scanner 12 optically scans bar codes, two-dimensional codes, and the like that are held in front of it. After the payment is completed, the receipt printer 13 prints out a receipt showing the details of the transaction, including a list of the products that were sold, and the result of the transaction.

[0011] The payment unit 14 reads data recorded on a payment card such as a credit card, a prepaid card, or an electronic money card. The payment unit 14 also writes data to the payment card. The payment unit 14 includes a reading device that supports IC reading, magnetic reading, and near-field communication reading of a credit card. The IC reading device reads data stored in an integrated circuit (IC) provided on a credit card by communication via an electrical contact. The magnetic reading device uses a magnetic head to read data magnetically recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on the surface of a credit card. The near-field communication reading device reads data stored in an IC provided on a credit card by wireless communication such as near field communication (NFC). However, the payment unit 14 does not necessarily have to include all of these functions. The payment unit 14 may include a keyboard, and an operator may input instructions by operating the keyboard.

[0012] The shape of the housing of the main unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and may be any shape. However, it is preferable that the width in the depth direction is small when the operation surface is used as the front surface, so that it is suitable for use in a wall-mounted state described later. For this reason, the width of the housing of the main unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the first direction, which is the depth direction, is smaller than the width in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. For this reason, the main unit 10 tends to be easily tilted in the depth direction by operations on the touch panel 11 and the payment unit 14.

[0013] The support member 20 is composed of a first member 21 and a second member 22. The first member 21 is in the form of a thin plate made of a material such as metal that has a degree of rigidity that does not easily deform. The first member 21 is fixed to the surface of the housing of the main unit 10 opposite the operation surface by a plurality of bolts 23. A part of the first member 21 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the housing of the main unit 10.

[0014] The second member 22 has a base portion 221 and an attachment portion 222. The second member 22 is formed by cutting out and bending a part of a rectangular thin plate to form the attachment portion 222. The second member 22 is made of a material such as metal having a rigidity that does not easily deform from the state. The base portion 221 extends on both sides of the base portion of the attachment portion 222 by bending the attachment portion 222 at a position where the base portion of the attachment portion 222 is near the center of the thin plate. The width of the base portion 221 in the direction is preferably larger than the width of the bottom surface of the main unit 10. The angle between the base portion 221 and the tip of the attachment portion 222 is preferably about 90 degrees, but may be any angle.

[0015] The first member 21 and the second member 22 are connected by fixing a portion of the first member 21 that protrudes downward below the bottom surface of the housing of the main body device 10 to the mounting portion 222 with multiple sets of bolts 23 and nuts 24. Thus, the base portion 221 of the support member 20 serves as a base when the POS terminal device 1 is placed on a table, and the mounting portion 222 and the first member 21 maintain the main device 10 in the position shown in Fig. 1. The top surface of the table is often a horizontal surface. Therefore, the state of the support member 20 in such a first usage form is an example of the first state. However, the POS terminal device 1 may be placed on the top surface of a table that is not a horizontal surface.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the POS terminal device 1 in a second usage mode. Among the elements shown in Fig. 3, the elements also shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second usage mode of the POS terminal device 1, the support member 20 is made up of a first member 21 and a third member 25. That is, the second usage mode differs from the first usage mode in that the third member 25 is provided instead of the second member 22.

[0017] The third member 25 is formed by bending a rectangular thin plate so that both ends in the longitudinal direction face in different directions, forming a table section 251 and a mounting section 252 sandwiched between the bent sections. The third member 25 is made of a material such as metal that has a rigidity such that it is not easily deformed from the state. The angle between the directions in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the third member 25 face is preferably about 90 degrees, but may be any angle. A pair of hooks 253, 253 is formed on both ends of the table section 251 by bending a part of the thin plate. The first member 21 and the third member 25 are connected by fixing a portion of the first member 21 that protrudes downward below the bottom surface of the housing of the main body device 10 to the mounting portion 252 with multiple sets of bolts 23 and nuts 24.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of three POS terminal devices 1 attached to a wall surface of a store. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of how the POS terminal device 1 is used when it is attached to a wall. 4 and 5, the connection portion between the first member 21 and the third member 25 is omitted.

[0019] In the second usage mode, the POS terminal 1 is suitable for use by attaching it to a vertical wall surface as shown in Fig. 4. In this usage mode, the table portion 251 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the vertical surface, and its upper surface is a substantially horizontal surface, suitable for temporarily placing products thereon as shown in Fig. 5. The hooks 253, 253 are suitable for hanging carrier bags such as shopping bags or plastic bags as shown in Fig. 5. Although a wall surface is generally a vertical surface, the POS terminal 1 can of course be attached to a wall surface that is not a vertical surface. The state of the support member 20 in such a second usage mode is an example of the second state.

[0020] Thus, the POS terminal device 1 can be adapted to various store environments and can be used in different ways, such as by placing it on a table or hanging it on a wall. When placed on a table, the base 221 prevents the main device 10 from changing its position even if a force is applied to operate the touch panel 11 and the payment unit 14. When hung on a wall, the space occupied by the POS terminal device 1 can be reduced, making it possible to effectively use the store space. As described above, the third member 25 can be used as a table and for hanging bags.

[0021] [Second embodiment] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the POS terminal device 2 according to the second embodiment in a first usage mode. Among the elements shown in Fig. 6, the elements also shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The POS terminal 2 includes a main unit 10 and a support member 30 . The support member 30 in the second usage mode has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0022] In the first usage mode, the support member 30 is made up of a first member 21, a third member 25, and a fourth member 31. That is, in the first usage mode, the support member 30 additionally includes the fourth member 31 compared to the second usage mode. The fourth member 31 is formed by bending a rectangular thin plate so that both ends of the plate face in different directions in the longitudinal direction, forming the base 311 and the mounting portion 312 on either side of the bent portion. The fourth member 31 is made of a material such as metal that has a rigidity such that it is not easily deformed from the state. The angle between the base 311 and the tip of the mounting portion 312 is preferably about 90 degrees, but may be any angle.

[0023] The first member 21, the third member 25, and the fourth member 31 are connected by fixing a portion of the first member 21 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the housing of the main body device 10 to the mounting portion 252 and the mounting portion 312 with a plurality of sets of bolts 23 and nuts 24. The third member 25 and the fourth member 31 are in a state in which the lower surface of the table portion 251 and the lower surface of the pedestal portion 311 are located on the same plane, and the table portion 251 and the pedestal portion 311 extend in opposite directions with the first member 21 in between. The support member 30 has a table portion 251 and a base portion 311 which serve as a base for placing the POS terminal device 2 on the base, and the mounting portions 252, 312 and the first member 21 maintain the main device 10 in the position shown in FIG.

[0024] Thus, the POS terminal device 2 can be adapted to various store environments and can be used in different ways, such as by placing it on a table or hanging it on a wall. When placed on a table, the table portion 251 and the base portion 311 function to prevent the attitude of the main device 10 from changing even if a force is applied to operate the touch panel 11 and the payment unit 14. When hung on a wall, the space occupied by the POS terminal device 2 can be reduced, making it possible to effectively use the store space. As described above, the third member 25 can be used as a table and also for hanging bags. Furthermore, the POS terminal device 2 can be switched between the first and second usage modes simply by attaching and detaching the fourth member 31.

[0025] [Third embodiment] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a POS terminal device 3 according to the third embodiment in a first usage mode. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the POS terminal device 3 according to the third embodiment in a first usage mode. Among the elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the elements also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] The POS terminal 3 includes a main unit 10 and a support member 40. The support member 40 in the second usage mode has the same configuration as in the first embodiment. In the first usage mode, the support member 40 is made up of the first member 21. That is, in the first usage mode, the support member 40 does not include the third member 25 compared to the second usage mode. In the first usage form, as shown in FIG. 7, the portion of the first member 21 that protrudes downward below the bottom surface of the housing of the main device 10 is inserted into a slit 412 formed in the top plate 411 of the installation stand 4, so that the bottom surface of the main device 10 is in contact with the upper surface of the top plate 411 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0027] Thus, the POS terminal device 3 can be adapted to various store environments and can be used in different ways, such as by placing it on a table or hanging it on a wall. When placed on a table, the first member 21 prevents the main device 10 from changing its position even if a force is applied to operate the touch panel 11 and the payment unit 14. When hung on a wall, the space occupied by the POS terminal device 3 can be reduced, making it possible to effectively use the store space. As described above, the third member 25 can be used as a table and for hanging bags. Furthermore, the POS terminal 3 can be switched between the first and second usage modes simply by attaching and detaching the third member 25.

[0028] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. (First Modification) In the first, second and third embodiments, in the second usage mode, the POS terminal devices 1, 2 and 3 may be attached to a wall surface via a slide rail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a usage state in the second usage mode in the first modified example. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing how the POS terminals 1, 2, and 3 are attached to the slide rail. 9 and 10, the elements also shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, in Fig. 9, the connection portion between the first member 21 and the third member 25 is omitted.

[0029] A pair of slide rails 5 are attached to a wall surface, aligned horizontally with the vertical direction as the slidable direction. A slide plate 6 is attached to each of the pair of slide rails 5 so as to span the two. The first member 21 is fixed to the slide plate 6 by bolts or the like, passing through holes 211 formed in the first member 21 and holes 61 formed in the slide plate 6. A free-stop type is suitable for the slide rail 5. However, a well-known fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the slide plate 6 relative to the slide rail 5 at one of several fixed positions or at an arbitrary position may be provided separately.

[0030] (Second Modification) In the first, second and third embodiments, in the second usage mode, the POS terminals 1, 2 and 3 may be attached to a wall surface via a height adjustment plate. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the state in which the POS terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 are attached to the height adjustment plate 7. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, in FIG. 11, the connection portion between the first member 21 and the third member 25 is omitted.

[0031] The height adjustment plate 7 is a long, narrow plate, and is fixed to the wall at both ends in the longitudinal direction. When the height adjustment plate 7 is fixed to the wall, most of the area of ​​the height adjustment plate 7 other than both ends in the longitudinal direction is spaced apart from the wall. A plurality of holes 71 are formed in the area of ​​the height adjustment plate 7 spaced apart from the wall. In the example of FIG. 11, six pairs of holes 71 arranged horizontally are formed along the vertical direction. However, the number and positions of the holes 71 may be changed as appropriate.

[0032] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a structure for attaching the first member 21 to the height adjustment plate 7. Among the elements shown in Fig. 11, the elements also shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 11 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The hole 71 has a circular portion 711 and a slit portion 712 that extends in the vertical direction and is in contact with the circular portion 711 below the circular portion 711. The horizontal width of the slit portion 712 is smaller than the diameter of the circular portion 711.

[0033] Now, in the first member 21 according to the second modified example, hook members 212 shown in FIG. 12 are formed in place of the holes 211 shown in FIG. 10 in relation to the first modified example. The hook member 212 has a shaft 2121 protruding from the slide plate 6 and a disk-shaped protrusion 2122 formed at the tip of the shaft 2121. The radial width of the shaft 2121 is smaller than the radial width of the protrusion 2122 and smaller than the horizontal width of the slit portion 712. The amount of protrusion of the shaft 2121 from the slide plate 6 is larger than the thickness of a region of the height adjustment plate 7 that is separated from the wall surface. The thickness of the protrusion 2122 is smaller than the distance between the wall surface and the region of the height adjustment plate 7 that is separated from the wall surface.

[0034] The radial width of the protrusion 2122 is smaller than the diameter of the circular portion 711. In other words, the protrusion 2122 can pass through the circular portion 711. Then, when the first member 21 is moved downward relative to the height adjustment plate 7 in a state in which the protrusion 2122 has completely passed through the circular portion 711, the shaft 2121 enters the slit portion 712, and the protrusion 2122 cannot pass through the slit portion 712, so that the first member 21 is prevented from coming off the height adjustment plate 7. As a result, the first member 21 is fixed to the height adjustment plate 7, and the POS terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 are also fixed to the height adjustment plate 7.

[0035] The four hook members 212 provided on the first member 21 are positioned on the first member 21 so as to align with four of the holes 71 formed in the height adjustment plate 7 . Thus, the protrusions 2122 of the four hook members 212 provided on the first member 21 are simultaneously inserted into the circular portions 711 of the four holes 71, and after each protrusion 2122 has passed through each circular portion 711, the first member 21 is shifted downward, whereby the first member 21 and the POS terminal devices 1, 2, 3 to which this first member 21 is attached are fixed to the height adjustment plate 7. By changing the holes 71 into which the protrusions 2122 of the four hook members 212 are inserted, it is possible to change the height at which the POS terminal devices 1, 2, 3 are held by the height adjustment plate 7.

[0036] The hook structure consisting of the hole 71 and the hook member 212 shown in Fig. 12 can also be used to fix the first member 21 to the slide plate 6 in the first modified example. That is, in this case, for example, the hook member 212 is formed instead of the hole 211 shown in Fig. 10, and the hole 71 shown in Fig. 12 is formed instead of the hole 61 shown in Fig. 10.

[0037] (Third Modification) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the usage state of the POS terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 in the second usage mode. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, in FIG. 13, the connection portion between the first member 21 and the third member 25 is omitted. In the usage situation shown in FIG. 13, the POS terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 are attached to a mounting surface of a freestanding stand 8, which is a vertical surface. The mounting surface of the self-supporting stand 8 does not have to be a vertical surface.

[0038] (Other variations) In the first embodiment, the first usage form and the second usage form may be changed by appropriately replacing a member having a shape in which the first member 21 and the second member 22 are integrated with a member having a shape in which the first member 21 and the third member 25 are integrated with each other.

[0039] In the second and third embodiments, the first member 21 and the third member 25 may be replaced with a member having an integrated shape.

[0040] In each embodiment and each modified example, the devices included in the main body device 10 can be changed as appropriate.

[0041] In each embodiment and each modified example, the shapes of the members included in the support members 20, 30, 40 are merely examples, and the details of the shapes can be modified as appropriate.

[0042] It is also possible to realize the product sales device as one of registration processing, accounting processing, and settlement processing.

[0043] In the POS terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 of each embodiment, the main device 10 and the support members 20, 30, and 40 may be transferred separately, and the support members 20, 20, and 30 may be attached to the main device 10 by a user or the like.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the first member 21, the second member 22, and the third member 25 may be transferred individually, or the first member 21 and the second member 22 may be transferred as a set, or the first member 21 and the third member 25 may be transferred as a set. Alternatively, the main unit 10 and the first member 21 may be transferred as a set, and the second member 22 and the third member 25 may be transferred individually.

[0045] In the second embodiment, the first member 21, the third member 25, and the fourth member 31 may be transferred individually, or the first member 21 and the third member 25 may be transferred as a set. Alternatively, the main device 10, the first member 21, and the third member 25 may be transferred as a set, and the fourth member 31 may be transferred separately.

[0046] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1,2,3...POS terminal device, 4...installation stand, 5...slide rail, 6...slide plate, 7...height adjustment plate, 8...self-supporting stand, 10...main device, 11...touch panel, 12...scanner, 13...receipt printer, 14...payment unit, 20,30,40...support member, 21...first member, 22...second member, 23...bolt, 24...nut, 25...third member, 31...fourth member, 61,71,211...hole, 212...hanging member, 221,311...base portion, 222,312...mounting portion, 251...table portion, 252...mounting portion, 253...hook, 411...top plate, 412...slit, 711...circular portion, 712...slit portion, 2121...axis, 2122...protrusion.

Claims

1. a main unit that processes information related to product sales while being operated by an operator; a support member capable of selectively forming a first state in which the main body device can be placed on a horizontal surface while maintaining a predetermined attitude, and a second state in which the main body device can be fixed to a vertical surface; A product sales device comprising:

2. the support member includes a first member and a second member selectively attachable to the main body device; the first member forms the first state when attached to the main body device; the second member forms the second state when attached to the main body device; The product sales device according to claim 1.

3. the main body device has a width in a first direction in which the main body device is pressed by an operator when operated by the operator, the width being smaller than a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The first member maintains a predetermined attitude by preventing the main body device from tilting in the first direction. The product sales device according to claim 2.

4. The second member has a protruding portion protruding from the vertical surface to which the second member is fixed, and an upper surface of the protruding portion functions as a table on which the product is placed. The product sales device according to claim 2.

5. The protrusion includes a hook for hanging a carrier bag.

5. The product sales device according to claim 4.

6. A support member constituting a product vending device together with a main unit that processes information related to product vending while being operated by an operator, a first state in which the main body device can be placed on a horizontal surface while maintaining a predetermined attitude; a second state in which the main body device can be fixed to a vertical surface; A support member that can be selectively formed.

Images