Sales Data Processing Device

Abstract

To provide a sales data processing device that prevents an occupation area as a whole sales data processing device from increasing while increasing a size of a display unit.SOLUTION: A sales data processing device includes a main body unit, a display unit that displays information on a transaction, a receipt printing unit, a reading unit that reads identification information, a storage unit that stores the printing unit and the reading unit, and a rotation unit that rotates the display unit. The rotation unit is placed between the display unit and the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales data processing apparatus and a support base therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, it has been common for the display unit of a POS device to be equipped with a touch panel, and the touch panel plays a central role in a sales data processing apparatus that can input data related to sales and perform appropriate selection operations.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a sales data processing apparatus that can meet the demand for a larger display unit while not increasing the occupied area of the entire sales data processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The sales data processing apparatus of the present invention comprises at least the following configuration. A main body unit, a display unit for displaying information related to a transaction, a receipt printing unit, a reading unit for reading identification information, a storage unit for housing the printing unit and the reading unit, and a rotating unit for rotating the display unit, wherein the rotating unit is disposed between the display unit and the storage unit. The sales data processing apparatus is characterized by this. Further, the support base for the sales data apparatus of the present invention comprises at least the following configuration. A support base comprising a support unit for supporting a sales data processing apparatus and a placing table on which a basket can be placed under the sales data processing apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] A sales data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a display unit that displays information related to transactions, a receipt printing unit, a reading unit that reads identification information, a storage unit that stores the printing unit and the reading unit, and a rotation unit that rotates the display unit. The rotation unit is disposed between the display unit and the storage unit.

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings are created for the purpose of explanation, and in some cases, members unnecessary for explanation may not be intentionally illustrated. Also, for the purpose of explanation, members may be intentionally illustrated larger or smaller, and the drawings do not show the exact scale. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate parts having the same function, and duplicate explanations in each drawing are omitted as appropriate. Embodiments of the present invention include the illustrated content but are not limited thereto.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sales data processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the right front side. The directions here are defined by setting the side where the person using the sales data processing apparatus is located as the front side. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the sales data processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment mainly serves as a registration and settlement apparatus that performs registration and settlement associated with product sales in a supermarket or the like. However, it can be used as a settlement apparatus that only performs settlement, can be combined with related apparatuses such as automatic change machines to handle various settlements, and is also assumed to be used as a face-to-face apparatus equipped with a rear touch panel operated by a store clerk and a handy scanner operated by the store clerk, where the store clerk performs registration and the customer performs settlement.

[0009] (Configuration of the sales data processing apparatus) FIG. 1 shows a sales data processing apparatus 1 corresponding to non-cash settlements such as electronic settlement using a credit card, electronic money, etc., and QR settlement using a mobile device such as a smartphone, which is a registration / settlement apparatus operated by the customer himself / herself to perform product registration and settlement processing associated with product purchase. As shown in FIG. 1, in the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a main body part 2 serving as a housing supports a display part 3 (large touch panel display) via a rotating part 7. Further, at the lower part of the main body part 2, there is a storage part 6 that houses a receipt printing part 4 and a reading part 5 that reads identification information for reading barcodes of products and performing electronic settlement. On the other hand, the upper part of the main body part 2 overlaps with the display part 3 and has a size that extends sufficiently above the position of the storage part 6. This is to ensure an effective area suitable for receiving the back surface of the display part 3 when the display part 3 is rotated by being pressed backward with an unexpectedly large force.

[0010] The rotating part 7 is a hinge with a free stop specification such as a torque hinge, but any means can be used as long as it can be held at a desired angle. In the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment, the rotating part 7 is disposed between the display part 3 and the storage part 6. In other words, the display part 3 is swingable with its lower end as a fulcrum. The reason why the display part 3 is swingable is to cope with the situation where the screen may become very difficult to see due to reflection of in-store lighting, outdoor light, etc. By adjusting the display part 3, reflections on the screen and the like will no longer be a concern. In a normal indoor space, not in a special situation where the setting sun shines in, once the angle of the display part 3 is determined, it is sufficient. However, depending on the installation location and the like, the direction of the incident lighting and the like are different, so the function of angle adjustment is indispensable.

[0011] On the other hand, although it is a large display, if the structure is such that the display is supported only by the rotation axis, the situation where the contact part due to the touch operation and the rotation fulcrum are separated will frequently occur, so the "bending" and "rotation" of the display due to the touch operation are likely to occur. Of course, the rotating part 7 using the torque hinge is set so that a corresponding resistance torque is applied. However, even so, there may be a case where the screen is pressed with an unexpectedly large force. In preparation for such a case, in the present invention, the upper part of the main body part 1 functions as a receiving part 8 that receives the back surface of the display part 3. Further, in the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment, as can be easily understood from the side view of FIG. 2, the receiving part 8 has a structure that regulates the rotation range of the display part 3 with respect to the back surface of the display part 3 in terms of a plane. By this, it is possible to sufficiently limit the "bending" and "rotation" of the display. While incorporating such a device, arranging the rotating part at the lower end of the display instead of the back of the display is one of the major features of the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. As a merit, since there is no need to provide a space for arranging components such as a bar extending from the main body to support a hinge or the like between the display and the main body, the surfaces of the display and the main body are in close contact with each other. As a result, the occupied area of the entire apparatus can be reduced, and the user can be given the recognition that the occupied area is small. The sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has successfully realized the seemingly antinomic requirement specifications of increasing the size of the display and making the entire apparatus more compact.

[0012] The reading unit 5 reads barcodes attached to products or identification information for electronic payment, and supports various methods such as a non-contact IC card reader, a scanner reading type reader, and imaging using a camera. Since the upper end of the storage unit 6 of the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment slopes downward toward the front, it can be visually understood that the reading area is also on the extension of this slope, and the position where the object to be read is placed can be easily specified. In addition, an impression can be given to the customer that the scanner light beam or camera illumination does not go upward, and the customer can use the payment device with confidence. Further, this inclined shape also has the effect of stylishly producing the form of the entire apparatus and making the user recognize the size of the apparatus as smaller.

[0013] In the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the color scheme of the main body 2 is brighter than the color scheme of the end portion of the main body 2. Specifically, while most of the area of the main body 2 is in a bright color scheme such as white or ivory, the end portion on the back side of the main body 2 shown by the hatched area in FIG. 2 is in a dark color scheme such as gray or black. With such a color scheme, as an impression to the customer, the size of the apparatus is recognized as if it were only the white or ivory part. As described above, the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment, which serves as the core of POS register systems with various system configurations, has been devised to appear smaller by appropriately setting its shape, color scheme, etc. However, in reality, the sales data processing device 1 of the embodiment is much smaller than conventional devices, not just slightly smaller. Based on such characteristics, further explanation will be given regarding how it is arranged and what system configuration it has within the POS register system, as well as additional characteristic points that contribute to realizing such a system configuration.

[0014] (Configuration of the Sales Data Processing Device in the POS Register System) As types of POS devices and POS register systems, the semi-self type, where a store clerk registers purchased items using a registration device and a customer settles the bill at a settlement device installed at a location separate from the registration device, and the full-self type, where the customer performs both registration and settlement, are the mainstream. In any type, the role of the core of the system is the sales data processing device. Among these, there are not only semi-self type POS register systems and full-self type POS register systems, but also types where an operating device and a display are provided in a form where the store clerk and the customer face each other, and types where the store clerk has always performed both registration and settlement. Furthermore, even among settlement devices, they can be classified into those corresponding only to cash, those corresponding only to electronic payment, and those corresponding to both cash and electronic payment. Thus, POS register systems have become highly diversified. And there are multiple types of their enclosures and displays corresponding to the diverse types of POS register systems, and because of the need to assemble each device combination, the manufacturing cost was high. Also, most conventional POS devices adopt a layout where control components such as a CPU, memory, power supply device, and interface are housed inside the enclosure, and a display is provided on the upper part of the enclosure. The overall configuration of the POS device inevitably has a two-tier structure of the enclosure and the display, and a place had to be secured for installing the enclosure that occupies a considerable amount of space.

[0015] On the other hand, the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment houses devices necessary for control including a power supply and a control unit in the main body 2. For this reason, the housing itself for housing control components, which was a bottleneck in conventional POS apparatuses, becomes unnecessary. Also, since the entire apparatus becomes very compact and can be used as a common module in various types of POS systems, as a result, significant manufacturing cost reduction can be achieved. As already described, the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only includes a reading unit 5 that reads identification information for performing electronic settlement, and does not have a device for inserting cash. Since the sales data processing apparatus 1 does not include an automatic change dispenser or a housing for accommodating the same, for example, when performing self-registration, there is no need to avoid the automatic change dispenser that was present in the center of the apparatus. Therefore, the burden of transferring goods and reading goods from the basket stand on the upstream side of the customer flow line to the basket stand on the downstream side of the customer flow line across the apparatus can be reduced. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a support stand 10 suitable for the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be assumed. The support stand 10 includes a support portion 11 for attaching the sales data processing apparatus 1 and a basket stand 12. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the support stand 10 can utilize the new space created under the sales data processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment to provide a space for the basket stand 12 in this area. As a result, a single large luggage placement area connecting the upstream and downstream basket stands can be created. By creating a large luggage placement area under the sales data processing apparatus 1, a basket stand that does not require as much depth as before can be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the conventional upstream and downstream basket stands were provided with a depth so that the longitudinal direction of the basket could be installed in the front-rear direction. However, since it has become possible to place baskets including the central part, it is sufficient to have a depth that allows the installation so that the short side direction of the basket is in the front-rear direction. Since it is an integrated continuous area, it can be said that it is easy to place other luggage etc. besides the basket. Furthermore, it means that the depth and width of the place where the device is installed can be reduced, and as shown in FIG. 3(b), the sales data processing devices 1 can be arranged back to back and the luggage storage area can be intensively arranged. As a result, it can further contribute to space saving as a whole. These days, in supermarkets, especially when ensuring social distancing is required, this effect cannot be ignored.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows an example in which a coin-operated machine is arranged under the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment and assembled integrally. The coin-operated ticket vending machine is a mechanism for enabling cash payment and has a coin insertion slot, a coin payout slot, a bill insertion slot / payout slot, etc. This coin-operated ticket vending machine accepts money from customers, counts the received money, and pays out change according to the settlement amount. The device shown in FIG. 5 will mainly be used as a semi-self-type POS register system in which a customer settles accounts at a settlement device installed at a position away from the registration device. Also, it can be used as a full-self-type POS register system in which the customer performs the entire process from registration to settlement.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows an example in which means (touch panel and mechanical keys) operated by a store clerk are provided on the back of the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment and assembled. A holder for holding a handy scanner is provided on the side surface of the device located on the back side of the paper not shown, and the store clerk registers products using the handy scanner. In this way, it can be used as a semi-self POS register system in which the store clerk and the customer face each other. Also, it can be used as a system that allows the store clerk to respond quickly when the customer needs support on the premise of full self-service.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows an example of an assembled POS cash register system that can be used in a face-to-face manner between customers. Since the sales data processing device 1 of this embodiment is very small and compact, it is possible to install two sales data processing devices 1 on top of one automatic change dispenser. In this usage mode, one sales data processing device 1 functions as a settlement device dedicated to electronic payment, and the other sales data processing device 1 functions as a settlement device corresponding to both cash payment and electronic payment. Note that a semi-transparent partition is provided between the facing customers. This contributes to measures against viral infectious diseases, taking into account considerations such as preventing others from entering the field of vision during operation, making eye contact with others, and reducing the sense of resistance when handling cash, etc., in a situation where an unknown person stands in front.

[0019] FIG. 8 is also an example of an assembled POS cash register system that can be used in a face-to-face manner between customers, but it is a stand type. And both sales data processing devices 1 are settlement devices dedicated to electronic payment. In recent supermarkets, etc., in order to ensure proper wiring, there may be cases where a settlement device dedicated to cash and a settlement device dedicated to electronic payment are separately arranged in different areas. The present invention can appropriately respond to such requirements.

[0020] Here, focusing on the features of the present invention that contribute to constructing the systems and arrangements of FIGS. 7 and 8, it can be mentioned that the bottom surface and the back surface of the main body 2 are substantially flat. In a normal usage mode, the bottom surface of the main body 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, but since the back surface is also flat, in the mode shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to arrange two sales data processing devices 1 neatly back-to-back without interference, and in the mode shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to arrange two sales data processing devices 1 on one stand. Furthermore, due to the feature that this back surface is substantially flat, it is possible to realize an installation mode as shown in FIG. 9. It can be said that this is a mode that cannot be achieved simply by removing the automatic change dispenser and the housing that houses it.

[0021] Thus, since the bottom and the back are substantially flat, it is possible not only to install using the bottom surface but also to install it on the wall using the back surface. The installation modes are also diversified, and as described above, the degree of freedom in combination with other devices and equipment is also high. Generally speaking, the merit that the housings of all POS terminals can be unified into the device regardless of the type of the device is achieved from the configuration of the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0022] (Other embodiments) FIG. 10 shows a sales data processing device 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. While what has been described so far is a vertical display, in this embodiment, it is a horizontal display. It is prepared so as to be able to meet the demand for horizontal displays. Although it does not rotate with the lower end of the display as a fulcrum, there is undoubtedly a fulcrum on the lower side of the display, which contributes to a certain degree of miniaturization, and the upper part of the main body also has a certain effect as a receiving part. FIG. 11 is an example assembled so as to include means (touch panel and mechanical keys) operated by a store clerk on the back surface of the sales data processing device 1 in the horizontal display specification.

[0023] (Appearance of the sales data processing device by orthographic projection) For the purpose of helping the understanding of the stylishness of the present invention, the six views of the sales data processing device 1 of the present embodiment are shown for reference. FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are a front view, a rear view, a plan view, a bottom view, a right side view, and a left side view, respectively. In addition, a cleaned front perspective view is also presented as FIG. 18. The description as an article would be that the rectangular part in the lower right of the front view is a scanner, and it is an automatic cashier that reads a two-dimensional code and prints out the settlement result by an in-built printer from the horizontally long opening in the lower left.

[0024] (Appearance of the support base by orthographic projection) A six-view drawing of the support base 10 of this embodiment is also shown. FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 are, respectively, a front view, a rear view, a top view, a bottom view, a right side view, and a left side view. Additionally, a cleaned-up front perspective view is presented as FIG. 25. The description of the article is that the member protruding in the center of the front view is a member that supports the rear of the device to create a space under the lower part of the sales data processing device, and the support base of the sales data processing device where the three horizontally connected members in the horizontal direction of the top view form an integrally continuous area, which is a basket placement base.

[0025] (Operation screen of the sales data processing device) As already described, with the sales data processing device 1 of this embodiment, the device has been made more compact and common modularization has been achieved. Therefore, the sales data processing device 1 of this embodiment can be used as a full-self type POS register system, a semi-self POS register system, or a register system of the type where customers and store clerks face each other. Furthermore, while effectively utilizing a large display to display a lot of information, the change in the screen layout according to the type of POS register system is minimized as much as possible, and commonality in software is also pursued. The operation screen of the sales data processing device 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 26 is a product registration screen in the case of full-self where the customer performs all registrations and settlements associated with product sales, and the registered products are listed as details on this screen. The operation buttons (software keys) are as follows. "Settle accounts": Transitions from the registration screen to the settlement screen. "Vegetables", "Fruits", "Fresh fish", "Meat": These are for selecting the classification of products and transition to a detailed selection screen that displays the details (detailed product information) for each classification. "Call store clerk": Sends a call signal to the monitoring device that monitors the entire store or the call terminal carried by the store clerk. "Purchase register bag": When pressed, a register bag selection screen (such as bag type, size, price, etc.) is displayed. When the selection of the desired bag is accepted, the bag registered in the product details of this registration screen is added, and the total amount is updated. "Cancel": Press this button when there are items that have been mistakenly registered or items for which you have decided to cancel the purchase. It is possible to cancel an item regardless of whether the "Cancel" button is pressed after selecting the item or the item is selected after pressing the "Cancel" button. "Flags of UK, China, and Korea": These are language switching buttons. The displayed text will change to the selected language from Japanese, and the voice guidance output will also be in the selected language. Figure 27 shows the operation screen when used in a semi-self service scenario where the customer only performs settlement at a location away from the registration device, or the customer-side operation screen of a face-to-face device where the store clerk performs registration and the customer performs settlement. Except for the guidance message "Please bring the product barcode close to the scanner for registration." at the top of the screen and the absence of operation buttons for selecting product categories such as "Vegetables", "Fruits", "Fresh Fish", and "Meat" in the screen items, the content is the same as the product registration screen in the full-self service case. Software information processing also aims to share program modules, contributing to cost reduction in manufacturing.

[0026] <Summary of the Embodiment> [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a sales data processing device and its support stand. [Background Art] Recently, a semi-self type POS register system has become popular, where a store clerk registers purchased items using a registration device, and the customer performs settlement using a settlement device installed at a location away from the registration device. There is also a full-self type POS register system where the customer performs all operations from registration to settlement. In any type of POS register system, the core role of the system is played by a sales data processing device equipped with a touch panel that can input sales-related data and perform appropriate selection operations. [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Under such circumstances, in recent years, the display unit of sales data processing devices has been growing larger. On the other hand, in addition to the types described above, POS register systems with various system configurations have emerged, and the current systems have diversified and developed significantly, and are mostly used in combination with other related devices and apparatuses. Under this situation, while there is a desire to have a large display unit, there has arisen an antinomic requirement not to increase the occupied area of the entire sales data processing device, but this has not been achieved yet. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sales data processing device that has a large display unit while not increasing the occupied area of the entire sales data processing device. [Means for Solving the Problems] (1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment is a sales data processing device 1 including a main body unit 2, a display unit 3 for displaying information related to transactions, a receipt printing unit 4, a reading unit 5 for reading identification information, a storage unit 6 for housing the printing unit 4 and the reading unit 5, and a rotating unit 7 for rotating the display unit 3, wherein the rotating unit 7 is disposed between the display unit 3 and the storage unit 6.

[0027] According to the above configuration, it is possible to eliminate the gap between the housing and the display unit and make the occupation of space of the entire device smaller.

[0028] (2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the sales data processing device 1 according to (1), wherein the main body unit 2 has a receiving unit 8 that functions as a receiving unit for receiving the back surface of the display unit 3 above. According to the above configuration, even if the screen is pressed with a large force inadvertently, it is possible to sufficiently cope with this.

[0029] (3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the sales data processing device 1 according to (2), wherein the receiving unit 8 regulates the rotation range of the display unit 3 in a plane with respect to the back surface of the display unit 3. According to the above configuration, it is possible to sufficiently limit the "bending" and "rotation" of the display.

[0030] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is that in the sales data processing apparatus 1 described in any one of (1) to (3), the bottom surface and the back surface of the main body portion 2 are substantially flat. According to the above configuration, the installation modes are enriched, and the degree of freedom in combination with other devices and equipment is increased.

[0031] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is that in the sales data processing apparatus 1 described in any one of (1) to (4), the upper end of the storage portion 6 is inclined downward toward the front. According to the above configuration, it is possible to give the customer the impression that the light beam from the scanner does not go upward.

[0032] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is that in the sales data processing apparatus 1 described in any one of (1) to (5), the color scheme of the main body portion 2 is a lighter color than the color scheme of the end portion of the main body portion 2. According to the above configuration, since a gap is provided between the transparent panel 2 and the upper surface of the table counter, it is possible to cope with unevenness caused by the coarseness of the processing accuracy.

[0033] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a support base 10 including a support portion 11 that supports the sales data processing apparatus 1 described in any one of (1) to (6), and a basket stand 12 on which a basket can be placed under the sales data processing apparatus. According to the above configuration, a basket can be passed under the sales data processing apparatus 1, and a spacious space can be secured.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1 Sales data processing apparatus 2 Main body portion 3 Display portion 4 Printing portion 5 Reading portion 6 Storage portion 7 Rotating portion 8 Receiving portion 10 Support base 11 Support portion 12 Basket stand

Claims

1. A coin dispenser, a first settlement operation unit capable of performing settlement using the coin dispenser, a second settlement operation unit for performing settlement without using the coin dispenser, and a main body unit on which the first settlement operation unit and the second settlement operation unit are placed and which houses the coin dispenser. A sales data processing device characterized by comprising these components.

2. The main body unit is characterized in that the first settlement operation unit and the second settlement operation unit have substantially the same width, and the coin dispenser is arranged corresponding to the first settlement operation unit. The sales data processing device according to Claim 1.

3. The first settlement operation unit and the second settlement operation unit are composed of substantially the same housing, and the backs, which are substantially planar shapes of their respective housings, are arranged back to back. The sales data processing device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The first settlement operation unit and the second settlement operation unit are composed of vertically long operation screens, and on the back side of each operation screen of the first settlement operation unit and the second settlement operation unit, one partition protruding in the height direction more than the operation screen is provided. The sales data processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

Images