Accounting device

Abstract

To provide an accounting device equipped with a load platform without increasing the dedicated area.SOLUTION: An accounting device according to an embodiment performs accounting processing for articles registered by a registration device and includes: a housing; and a load platform that can be extended and retracted from a storage position within the front surface of the housing to a protruding position for supporting a load projecting forward from the front surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a checkout device. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there have been self-checkout machines equipped with a registration device for registering products purchased by a customer and an accounting device for performing checkout operations, allowing the customer to perform the registration and checkout operations themselves. There are also semi-self-checkout machines in which a store clerk performs the registration operation on the registration device and the customer performs the checkout operation on the accounting device themselves. When using these self-checkout machines and semi-self-checkout machines, the customer's belongings can sometimes get in the way of the operation of the accounting device. For example, when paying with cash, the bag can get in the way when removing a wallet from a bag and then taking cash from the wallet. The bag can also get in the way when removing a card such as a credit card from the wallet.

[0003] Therefore, a space for placing luggage on the top surface of the accounting device is provided, which increases the area occupied by the accounting device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an accounting device that has a loading platform without increasing the dedicated area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The accounting device of the embodiment is an accounting device that performs accounting processing for products that have been registered by a registration device, and is equipped with a housing and a luggage stand on the front of the housing that can be extended and retracted from a storage position stored on the front to a protruding position on which luggage that protrudes forward from the front can be placed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection relationship between a registration device and a checkout device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the appearance of the self-checkout device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the appearance of the self-checkout device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the structure in the vicinity of the loading platform when the loading platform is stored in the storage position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the structure in the vicinity of the loading platform when the loading platform is protruded to the protruding position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the location of the receiving tray as seen from the front of the accounting device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the registration device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the accounting device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a transaction device according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a transaction device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an accounting device in a self-checkout machine having a registration device and an accounting device will be described. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0008] A self-checkout device is a device installed in one or more checkout areas within a store. It has a product registration function for registering products purchased by customers in the store and a checkout function for processing transactions. Product registration refers to the process in which the registration device reads product identification information identifying the product from a code symbol, such as a bar code, or a wireless tag (in this embodiment, a code symbol) attached to the product, stores the information in the product information section, and displays product information (such as the product name and price) for the product. Checkout refers to the process in which the checkout device calculates the total price of the registered products, processes payment for the total amount using a medium selected by the customer (cash or a non-cash medium such as a credit card), and issues a receipt (including an electronic receipt not printed on paper) bearing product information and payment information for the paid products. Cash checkout also includes the process of dispensing change, if any, for the cash (price) inserted.

[0009] At the self-checkout terminal 1, the customer himself / herself performs a product registration operation to perform product registration processing and a checkout operation to perform checkout processing. Hereinafter, in the embodiments, the configuration and function that performs the product registration process in accordance with the customer's product registration operation will be referred to as the registration device, and the configuration and function that performs the checkout process in accordance with the customer's checkout operation will be referred to as the checkout device. The registration device and the checkout device may be configured in separate housings, or the self-checkout terminal 1 may have the configuration and function that performs the product registration process and the configuration and function that performs the checkout process contained within a single housing. In this case, the configuration and function that performs the product registration process will be referred to as the registration device, and the configuration and function that performs the checkout process will be referred to as the checkout device. In the embodiments, the registration device and the checkout device will be described as each having a separate housing.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a self-checkout terminal 1 according to an embodiment, which includes a registration device 10 and a checkout terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the registration device 10 and the checkout terminal 30 are connected by a connection line L that allows them to communicate with each other. The registration device 10 is a device on which a customer performs product registration operations, and the registration device 10 executes product registration processing in response to the customer's product registration operations. The checkout terminal 30 is a device on which a customer performs checkout operations. The checkout terminal 30 executes checkout processing in response to the customer's checkout operations.

[0011] Next, the registration device 10 and the accounting device 30 that make up the self-checkout device 1 will be described. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the appearance of the self-checkout device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the self-checkout device 1 is equipped with a registration device 10 and an accounting device 30. The registration device 10 and the accounting device 30 are installed adjacent to each other. For example, the registration device 10 is placed adjacent to the right side of the accounting device 30, and the accounting device 30 is placed adjacent to the left side of the registration device 10.

[0012] The registration device 10 has a housing 11. The housing 11 is hollow and roughly box-shaped, with a flat top surface. The registration device 10 has a basket stand 12 on one side of the housing 11 (the right side in this embodiment, the opposite side from where the accounting device 30 is located). The basket stand 12 is a flat table on which a basket containing products to be purchased (products to be registered) is placed.

[0013] The registration device 10 also has a scale 13 (weighing unit) at the front top surface of the housing 11. The scale 13 has a thin, flat top surface 131, and is a platform for placing registered products. The scale 13 weighs the weight of the products placed on the top surface 131 (for example, to prevent fraud). The scale 13 also has a pair of support posts 14 attached to the top surface 131 and standing upright from the top surface 131. A temporary storage table 15 is attached to the top of the support posts 14. The temporary storage table 15 is a platform for temporarily storing crumbling or breakable products (for example, tofu or eggs) that have been registered. The products placed on the temporary storage table 15 are weighed by the scale 13.

[0014] Additionally, support 14 has a pair of branches 16 that protrude forward from near temporary storage table 15. Branches 16 are devices for attaching shopping bags (e.g., plastic bags or personal bags) into which registered products are placed. Shopping bags attached to support 14 have openings, making it easy to place registered products inside.

[0015] The registration device 10 also includes a pair of support columns 17 erected upward from the rear of the top surface of the housing 11. One of the support columns 17 (the right support column 17 in this embodiment) has an arm 22 extending forward to the right from the middle of its upright position, and a first reading unit 18 is provided at the tip of the arm 22. The first reading unit 18 is, for example, a camera that captures an image of a symbol attached to a product. The first reading unit 18 may also be, for example, a scanner that optically reads a symbol attached to a product. In this embodiment, the first reading unit 18 will be described below as a camera. The first reading unit 18 has a reading window facing the customer on the front side, and captures an image of a symbol attached to a product brought close to the reading window by the customer. A pole 23 extending upward is attached to the arm 22. A second reading unit 19 is attached to the pole 23 above the first reading unit 18. The second reading unit 19 is a camera or scanner with functions equivalent to those of the first reading unit 18 (in this embodiment, it will be described as a camera). The second reading unit 19 has a reading window facing diagonally downward toward the front, and is attached above the first reading unit 18. The second reading unit 19 captures an image of a symbol affixed to a product that a customer brings close to the reading window of the first reading unit 18, from above the first reading unit 18 diagonally downward.

[0016] The other support column 17 is provided with a display 20 on its top. The display 20 is installed with its display surface facing the customer, and displays product information (product name, product price) of the registered product, the total price of the purchased product, the settlement amount if the transaction is processed using a non-cash medium, the deposit amount if the transaction is processed using cash, the change amount, etc.

[0017] A touch panel 21 is provided on the display surface of the display device 20 as an operation unit. The touch panel 21 includes various keys (start key, accounting key, etc.) that allow customers to operate the registration device 10. A patrol lamp 24 is also attached to the top end of the pole 23. The patrol lamp 24 is a lamp that alerts store staff and the like if a customer makes a mistake in operating the registration device 10 or the accounting device 30, or if an error occurs in the device.

[0018] In this type of registration device 10, a customer places a basket containing the items they wish to purchase on the basket stand 12. Next, the customer places a shopping bag by hooking the handle of the shopping bag onto the pair of branches 16 (opening the shopping bag). Next, the customer operates the start key displayed on the display 20. The customer then performs the product registration operation for the items. That is, the customer removes one item from the basket, passes the symbol near the first reading unit 18 or the second reading unit 19 toward the first reading unit 18 or the second reading unit 19, and places the item in the shopping bag that has been placed therein. The customer performs the product registration operation for all items placed in the basket. The registration device 10 captures an image of the symbol during the product registration operation and then performs the product registration process for that item.

[0019] When the customer has completed the product registration process for all products, he or she operates the checkout key, which causes the registration device 10 to send product information for the registered products to the checkout device 30.

[0020] The checkout device 30 includes a housing 31. The housing 31 is hollow and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a front surface 311 and a top surface 312. The front surface 311 is a roughly upright flat surface facing the customer who will be operating the checkout device 30. In this embodiment, the front surface 311 stands roughly vertically facing the customer. The top surface 312 is a flat surface that faces upward and is located above the front surface 311, at an angle of roughly 90° to the front surface 311.

[0021] The accounting device 30 houses a coin change machine 32 and a bill change machine 33 inside (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6). The accounting device 30 also has a coin slot 321 and a bill slot 331 on the front side of the top surface 312. In this embodiment, the bill slot 331 is on the left side of the front (customer side) of the top surface 312, and the coin slot 321 is on the right side of the front of the top surface 312. The accounting device 30 also has an examination table 324 adjacent to the coin slot 321 (in this embodiment, adjacent to the back side of the coin slot 321) on which coins taken out from a wallet are temporarily placed to be inserted into the coin slot 321. When paying for goods with cash, a customer inserts bills as payment into the bill slot 331. The customer places coins as payment on the inspection table 324 and slides the coins to be inserted into the coin slot 321. The coins inserted through the coin slot 321 are stored by denomination in the coin change machine 32. The banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 331 are stored by denomination in the banknote change machine 33.

[0022] The accounting device 30 also has a bill payout outlet 332 and a coin payout outlet 322 at the top of the front face 311. The bill payout outlet 332 is provided at the top of the front face 311, immediately below and adjacent to the bill insertion slot 331. The coin payout outlet 322 is provided adjacent to and immediately below the bill payout outlet 332. In other words, the accounting device 30 has the bill payout outlet 332 located above the top of the front face 311, and the coin payout outlet 322 located immediately below the front face 311.

[0023] Furthermore, the banknote dispensing outlet 332 and the coin dispensing outlet 322 are provided close to one side in the left-right direction of the front surface 311 (in this embodiment, the left side, the side farther from the registration device 10). When dispensing change to a customer, the banknote change machine 33 dispenses change equivalent to the banknotes from the banknotes stored in the banknote change machine 33 to the banknote dispensing outlet 332. Furthermore, the coin change machine 32 dispenses change equivalent to the coins from the coins stored in the coin change machine 32 to the coin dispensing outlet 322.

[0024] Furthermore, because the bill dispensing outlet 332 and the coin dispensing outlet 322 are located on the left side of the front face 311, a blank area is created on the right side of the front face 311 of the accounting device 30 (i.e., between the bill dispensing outlet 332 and the coin dispensing outlet 322 on the front face 311 and the registration device 10). The accounting device 30 is provided with an openable / closable storage platform 34 in this blank area. The storage platform 34 is a platform on which customers can place their belongings. When a customer holds the top of the storage platform 34 and pulls it towards them, the bottom end of the platform 34 rotates in the direction of arrow Y as a pivot, opening it forward. The side of the accounting device 30 that is operated by the customer is the front.

[0025] Additionally, the top surface 312 of the accounting device 30 is equipped with a printer 35 that prints and issues receipts, and a card reader / writer 80 that handles credit cards and the like when making cashless payments. When making cashless payments, the accounting operation involves inserting a card into the card insertion slot 801. The printer 35 issues a receipt from the receipt issuing slot 351 on which product information and payment information related to the processed transaction is printed.

[0026] 3 shows the registration device 10 and the accounting device 30 with the loading platform 34 in the open position (protruding position). In FIG. 3, when a customer performs a transaction using the accounting device 30, the customer opens the loading platform 34 and places the item on the open loading platform 34.

[0027] Here, the structure of the loading platform 34 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional explanatory diagrams of the loading platform 34 portion of the checkout device 30 cut vertically and viewed from the registration device 10 side. Figure 4 shows the loading platform 34 stored in the storage section 341 (i.e., the storage position). The storage section 341 is a recessed portion of the front surface 311 that has the same shape as the loading platform 34 and stores the loading platform 34. As shown in Figure 4, the loading platform 34 is supported at its lower end by a support shaft 342, and can rotate around the support shaft 342. When stored in the storage section 341, the loading platform 34 is approximately flush with the front surface 311 and does not protrude forward (towards the customer) from the front surface 311. In addition, a torque spring (not shown) is attached to the support shaft 342, and the loading platform 34 is biased in the direction of being stored in the storage section 341 by the torsional force of the torque spring, thereby maintaining the loading platform 34 in the storage position.

[0028] 4, a passage 323 is formed between the coin insertion slot 321 and the coin change machine 32. The passage 323 is a passage for transporting coins that connects the coin insertion slot 321 and the coin change machine 32, and guides coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 321 to the coin change machine 32. The coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 321 pass (fall) through the passage 323 and are stored in the coin change machine 32.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows the state in which the loading platform 34 is rotated approximately 90° in the direction of arrow Y from the storage section 341 and is positioned in the open position (i.e., the protruding position) where it protrudes forward from the front surface 311. A customer holds the upper end of the loading platform 34, which is stored in the storage section 341 (i.e., the stored position) by the torque spring, and rotates it to the open position against the biasing force of the torque spring. Once the loading platform 34 has been rotated to the open position, its rotation is stopped by a stopper (not shown). Once the loading platform 34 has been opened to the open position, the torque spring acts on it with a biasing force that returns it to the stored position, but by placing luggage on the loading platform 34, the loading platform 34 remains open in the open position. When luggage is removed from the loading platform 34, the biasing force of the torque spring causes the loading platform 34 to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow Y and be stored in the storage section 341 (the stored position).

[0030] Returning to the explanation of Figure 3, a customer performing a transaction at the transaction device 30 manually rotates the loading platform 34, which is stored in the storage section 341 (storage position), to the open position (protruding position), and places the item on the loading platform 34. The customer then performs the transaction to pay the price. If the transaction is made with cash, the customer performs the transaction by inserting the amount of the total into the coin slot 321 or the bill dispensing outlet 332. If the transaction is made without cash, the customer performs the transaction by inserting a card into the card insertion slot 801. When the transaction process at the transaction device 30 is completed, the customer removes the item from the loading platform 34. The loading platform 34 from which the item has been removed is automatically stored in the storage section 341 by the biasing force of the torque spring.

[0031] Here, the size of the loading platform 34 is smaller than the size of the basket platform 12. Because the loading platform 34 is a platform on which customers place their luggage, it does not need to be as large as the basket platform 12. Furthermore, because the loading platform 34 protrudes toward the customer from the front surface 311 when in the open position (protrudes toward the customer more than the basket platform 12), it is shaped smaller than the basket platform 12 so as not to get in the way of customers performing checkout operations.

[0032] Furthermore, when the loading platform 34 is in the open position, it is located at approximately the same height as the coin dispensing outlet 322 or the banknote dispensing outlet 332 (in the embodiment, it is located at approximately the same height as the coin dispensing outlet 322). When the customer finally checks the change at the checkout device 30, by positioning the opened loading platform 34 at approximately the same height as the coin dispensing outlet 322, the customer can check the items placed on the loading platform 34 in the same action as checking the change dispensed at the coin dispensing outlet 322 (within the same field of view as checking the change), thereby preventing the customer from leaving the item behind. Note that the loading platform 34 in the open position is located at a higher position than the basket platform 12. The height of the basket platform 12 is set at a height that makes it easy for the customer to remove items from the basket, but the height at which the customer checks the change dispensed at the coin dispensing outlet 322 is closer to the customer's eyes and makes it easier for the customer to remove the change, preventing the customer from forgetting to take the change. Therefore, by setting the height of the opened luggage platform 34 to the same height as the coin dispensing outlet 322 (i.e., higher than the height of the basket platform 12), it is possible to more reliably prevent luggage from being left behind.

[0033] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the banknote payout outlet 332, the coin payout outlet 322, and the loading platform 34, as viewed from the front side of the accounting apparatus 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the banknote change machine 33 is arranged at the top inside the housing 31, close to the left side of the housing 31. The coin change machine 32 is also arranged below the banknote change machine 33. Because the banknote change machine 33 is arranged close to the left side of the housing 31, a space C is formed inside the housing 31 to the left of the banknote change machine 33 and above the coin change machine 32. In other words, the space C is formed on the registration device 10 side inside the accounting apparatus 30, in other words, between the banknote change machine 33 and the registration device 10 inside the accounting apparatus 30.

[0034] At the top of the front surface 311 of the housing 31, a banknote payout outlet 332 connected to the banknote change machine 33 is provided on the left side. Also, at the top of the housing 31, immediately below the banknote payout outlet 332, a coin payout outlet 322 is provided on the left side. The banknote payout outlet 332 and the coin payout outlet 322 are arranged next to each other above and below, on the left side of the housing 31.

[0035] Furthermore, a banknote insertion slot 331 and a coin insertion slot 321 are provided on the top surface 312 of the housing 31. The banknote insertion slot 331 is provided directly above the banknote dispensing outlet 332, and the coin insertion slot 321 is provided closer to the right side (the registration device 10 side) of the top surface 312. The coin insertion slot 321 and the coin change machine 32 are connected by a passage 323 inside the housing 31, and this passage 323 is provided in the space C formed above.

[0036] The loading platform 34 is formed in a position (blank area) on the front surface 311 corresponding to the space C. That is, the loading platform 34 is provided on the registration device 10 side of the front surface 311, in other words, between the coin dispensing outlet 322 and the banknote dispensing outlet 332 on the front surface 311 and the registration device 10.

[0037] Next, the hardware configuration of the registration device 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the registration device 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the registration device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a memory unit 54 (comprised of a non-volatile memory such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a flash memory), and the like. The CPU 51 is the main controller. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 54 stores various programs. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the memory unit 54 are connected to one another via a bus 55. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 constitute a control unit 500. That is, the control unit 500 executes control processing related to the registration device 10 by the CPU 51 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 52 or the memory unit 54 and loaded in the RAM 53.

[0038] The RAM 53 has a product information section 531. The product information section 531 stores product information of products that have been registered. The memory section 54 also has a control program section 541 that stores a control program for controlling the registration device 10.

[0039] The control unit 500 is also connected to the display 20, the touch panel 21 which is an operation unit, the first reading unit 18, the second reading unit 19, the scale 13, etc. The display 20 displays information to the customer operating the registration device 10. The display 20 displays product information for registered products, total amount information for a transaction, deposit amount information and change information for checkout, and checkout information for non-cash checkouts. The touch panel 21 is provided on the display surface of the display 20 and is used by the customer operating the registration device 10 to register products. The first reading unit 18 and the second reading unit 19 capture images of symbols attached to products brought close to them. The scale 13 weighs the weight of products placed in a shopping bag set on the branch 16. The scale 13 may also weigh the total weight of the products placed in the shopping bag.

[0040] Control unit 500 is also connected to communication unit 57 via bus 55. Communication unit 57 is connected to checkout device 30 via connection line L, and sends product information for products that have been registered to checkout device 30, and receives information related to the checkout process (total amount information, deposit information, change information, etc.) from checkout device 30.

[0041] Based on the symbol captured by first reading unit 18 or second reading unit 19, control unit 500 executes a product registration process for the product, displays the product information on display 20, and stores it in product information section 531. When the end key on touch panel 21 is operated, control unit 500 sends the product information stored in product information section 531 to checkout device 30. When control unit 500 receives information related to the checkout process or information about forgotten items from checkout device 30, it displays the information related to the checkout process or a message about forgotten change or luggage on display 20.

[0042] Next, the hardware configuration of the checkout device 30 will be described. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the checkout device 30. As shown in Figure 8, the checkout device 30 is equipped with a CPU 71, which is an example of a processor, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and a memory unit 74 (comprised of non-volatile memory such as an HDD or flash memory). The CPU 71 is the main controller. The ROM 72 stores various programs. The RAM 73 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 74 stores various programs. The CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, and memory unit 74 are connected to one another via a bus 75. The CPU 71, ROM 72, and RAM 73 make up the control unit 700. In other words, the control unit 700 executes control processing related to the checkout device 30 by the CPU 71 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 72 and memory unit 74 and loaded in the RAM 73.

[0043] The RAM 73 has a total amount section 731. The total amount section 731 stores product information received from the registration device 10. The memory unit 74 has a control program section 741 that stores a control program for controlling the checkout device 30.

[0044] The control unit 700 is connected to the coin change machine 32, the bill change machine 33, the printer 35, the coin sensor 77, the bill sensor 78, the baggage sensor 79, the card reader / writer 80, etc. The coin change machine 32 stores coins inserted through the coin slot 321 and dispenses change equivalent to the coins to the coin dispensing outlet 322. The bill change machine 33 stores bills inserted through the bill slot 331 and dispenses change equivalent to the bills to the bill dispensing outlet 332. The printer 35 prints product information and accounting information pertaining to one transaction on receipt paper and issues a printed receipt. The coin sensor 77 detects if a coin dispensed through the coin dispensing outlet 322 has been left behind. When a coin dispensed into the coin dispensing outlet 322 has not been removed (remains), the control unit 700 transmits left-behind information to the registration device 10 to cause the display 20 to display a message indicating that the coin has been left behind. The banknote sensor 78 detects that a banknote dispensed into the banknote dispensing outlet 332 has been left behind. When a banknote dispensed into the banknote dispensing outlet 332 has not been removed (remains), the control unit 700 transmits left-behind information to the registration device 10 to cause the display 20 to display a message indicating that the banknote has been left behind. The luggage sensor 79 detects that a luggage placed on the luggage platform 34 has been left behind. When the coin sensor 77 detects that a coin dispensed into the coin dispensing outlet 322 has been removed and the banknote sensor 78 detects that a banknote dispensed into the banknote dispensing outlet 332 has been removed, but the luggage sensor 79 detects luggage, the control unit 700 transmits information about the luggage being left behind to the registration device 10 to display a message on the display 20 indicating that the luggage has been left behind.

[0045] The control unit 700 is also connected to the communication unit 81 via the bus 75. The communication unit 81 is connected to the registration device 10 via a connection line L, and receives product information from the registration device 10, and transmits information related to the transaction process and information about items left behind to the registration device 10.

[0046] The control unit 700 stores the product information received from the registration device 10 in the total amount unit 731. The control unit 700 also executes the transaction transaction processing using the payment medium specified by the customer based on the product information stored in the total amount unit 731. The control unit 700 then transmits information related to the transaction processing, as well as information on change and forgotten luggage, to the registration device 10.

[0047] As described above, the accounting device 30 according to the embodiment is provided with a loading platform 34 on the front surface 311 of the housing 31, which is rotatable between a storage position and an open position (protruding position). Specifically, the accounting device 30 according to the embodiment is provided with a banknote insertion slot 331 and a coin insertion slot 321 on the top surface 312, a banknote dispensing outlet 332 and a coin dispensing outlet 322 on the front surface 311, positioned opposite the registration device 10 installed together with the accounting device 30, and a loading platform 34 that is rotatable between a storage position and an open position, positioned in a margin area on the front surface 311 opposite the direction in which the banknote dispensing outlet 332 and the coin dispensing outlet 322 are positioned (specifically, on the right side). Because the loading platform 34 is provided on the front surface 311, the accounting device 30 can be provided with the loading platform 34 without increasing the area dedicated to the accounting device 30.

[0048] The loading platform 34 is rotatable between a storage position and an open position relative to the front surface 311 and is stored in the storage position when not in use, so it does not get in the way of customers who are not using the loading platform 34. The loading platform 34 is automatically stored in the storage position when luggage is removed, eliminating the need to fold the loading platform 34. The loading platform 34 is located near the bill dispensing outlet 332 and the coin dispensing outlet 322, allowing customers to check their luggage when withdrawing coins or change, thereby preventing them from forgetting to take their luggage. The loading platform 34 is located at approximately the same height as the open coin dispensing outlet 322, making it easy to pick up luggage and allowing customers to check their luggage when withdrawing coin change, thereby preventing them from forgetting to take their luggage. The loading platform 34 is located at a higher position than the basket platform 12 provided on the registration device 10, so customers can easily see luggage placed on the loading platform 34, preventing them from forgetting to take their luggage. Furthermore, the loading platform 34 is smaller than the basket loading platform 12 provided on the registration device 10. Therefore, even when the loading platform 34 is in the open position, it does not cause much of a hindrance.

[0049] Furthermore, the loading platform 34 is located close to the registration device 10 of the accounting device 30. Such loading platform 34 is located adjacent to the registration device 10. This location is also close to the position where the customer operates the registration device 10. Therefore, when the customer performs product registration operations on the registration device 10, the customer can open the loading platform 34 and place the item on it.

[0050] Next, we will explain the checkout device of other embodiments. In the embodiment, the checkout device 30 is described as one element constituting a self-checkout device 1 that has the registration device 10 and the checkout device 30 and in which the customer performs registration and checkout operations. In another embodiment, the checkout device is described as one element of a semi-self-checkout device in which a store clerk or the like performs registration operations at the registration device and the customer performs checkout operations at a checkout device installed in a different location from the registration device. The semi-self-checkout device includes a registration device in which a store clerk or the like performs registration operations, and a checkout device in which the customer performs checkout operations. The customer brings the items to be purchased to the registration device, and the registration device performs product registration processing for the items through the registration operations performed by the store clerk or the like. Once the product registration processing is complete, the customer takes the items to the location of the checkout device, and the checkout device performs checkout processing through the customer's own checkout operations.

[0051] 9 and 10 are external perspective views showing an accounting device 90 in a semi-self-checkout device. Note that descriptions of components equivalent to those of the accounting device 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be omitted or simplified.

[0052] The checkout device 90 includes a housing 91. The housing 91 is roughly rectangular and has a front surface 911 and a top surface 912. The front surface 911 is a flat surface that stands roughly vertically and faces the customer. The top surface 912 is a flat surface that faces upward and is located above the front surface 911, at an angle of roughly 90° to the front surface 911.

[0053] The accounting device 90 houses a coin change machine and a bill change machine (which are change machines equivalent to the coin change machine 32 and the bill change machine 33) inside, not shown. The accounting device 90 also has a coin slot 921 and a bill slot 931 on the front side of the top surface 912. In this embodiment, the bill slot 931 is on the front left side of the top surface 912, and the coin slot 921 is on the front right side of the top surface 912. The accounting device 90 also has a check table 924 adjacent to the coin slot 921 (in this embodiment, adjacent to the back side of the coin slot 921) on which coins taken out from a wallet are placed to be inserted into the coin slot 921. When paying for goods with cash, a customer inserts bills as payment into the bill slot 931. The customer also places coins as payment on the checking table 924 and slides them into the coin slot 921. The coins inserted through the coin slot 921 are stored in the coin change machine by denomination. The banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 931 are stored in the banknote change machine by denomination.

[0054] The accounting device 90 also has a bill payout opening 932 and a coin payout opening 922 at the top of the front face 911. The bill payout opening 932 is provided at the top of the front face 911, immediately below and adjacent to the bill insertion slot 931. The coin payout opening 922 is provided adjacent to and immediately below the bill payout opening 932. In other words, the accounting device 90 has the bill payout opening 932 located above the top of the front face 911, and the coin payout opening 922 located below the top of the front face 911.

[0055] The banknote dispensing outlet 932 and the coin dispensing outlet 922 are provided close to one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the left-right direction of the front surface 911. When dispensing change to a customer, the banknote change machine dispenses change equivalent to the banknotes from the banknotes stored in the banknote change machine to the banknote dispensing outlet 932. The coin change machine dispenses change equivalent to the coins from the coins stored in the coin change machine to the coin dispensing outlet 922.

[0056] Furthermore, because the banknote dispensing outlet 932 and the coin dispensing outlet 922 are located on the left side of the front surface 911, a blank area is created on the right side of the front surface 911 of the accounting device 90. The accounting device 90 is provided with an openable / closable storage platform 94 in this blank area. The storage platform 94 is a platform on which customers can place their belongings. When a customer holds the top of the storage platform 94 and pulls it toward them, the storage platform 94 rotates in the direction of arrow Y (see FIG. 10) around the bottom end as a pivot and opens. The configuration of the storage platform 94 is the same as that of the embodiment, and the storage platform 94 has the same configuration as that described in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0057] Additionally, the top surface 912 of the accounting device 90 is equipped with a printer 95 that prints and issues receipts, and a card reader / writer 96 that handles credit cards and the like when making cashless payments. When making cashless payments, the accounting operation involves inserting a card into a card insertion slot 961. The printer 95 issues a receipt from the receipt issuing slot 951 on which product information and payment information related to the processed transaction is printed.

[0058] In addition, above the printer 95 and card reader / writer 96, a display 97 and a touch panel 98 are provided.

[0059] Figure 10 shows the accounting device 90 with the loading platform 94 open. In Figure 10, when a customer performs a transaction using the accounting device 90, the customer opens the loading platform 94 in the direction of arrow Y and places the item on the open loading platform 94.

[0060] As described above, the accounting device 90 according to another embodiment includes a loading platform 94 that can rotate between a storage position and an open position on the front surface 911 of the housing 91. Specifically, the accounting device 90 according to the embodiment includes a banknote insertion slot 931 and a coin insertion slot 921 on the top surface 912, a banknote dispensing outlet 932 and a coin dispensing outlet 922 on the left side of the front surface 911, and a loading platform 94 that can rotate between a storage position and an open position, located in a margin area on the front surface 911 in a position opposite to the direction in which the banknote dispensing outlet 932 and the coin dispensing outlet 922 are located (specifically, on the right side). Because the loading platform 94 is provided on the front surface 911, this accounting device 90 can be provided with the loading platform 94 without increasing the area dedicated to the accounting device 90.

[0061] Furthermore, the loading platform 94 can be rotated between a storage position and an open position relative to the front surface 911, and is stored in the storage position when not in use, so it does not get in the way of customers who are not using the loading platform 94. Furthermore, the loading platform 94 is automatically stored in the storage position when luggage is removed, eliminating the need to fold the loading platform 94. Furthermore, since the loading platform 94 is located close to the bill dispensing outlet 932 and the coin dispensing outlet 922, it is possible to check the luggage when taking out coins or change for bills, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to take the luggage. Furthermore, since the loading platform 94 is located at approximately the same height as the open coin dispensing outlet 922, it is at a height that makes it easy to take luggage, and it is possible to check the luggage when taking out coin change, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to take the luggage.

[0062] As described above, the accounting device 30 according to the embodiment is an accounting device 30 that performs accounting processing for products that have been registered by the registration device 10, and is equipped with a housing 31 and a luggage placement platform 34 that can be extended and retracted from a storage position to a protruding position on the front surface 311 of the housing 31, where luggage that protrudes from the front surface 311 can be placed.

[0063] Another embodiment of the accounting device 90 is an accounting device 90 that performs accounting processing for products that have been registered by a registration device, and is equipped with a housing 91 and a luggage placement platform 94 that can be extended and retracted on the front surface 911 of the housing 91 from a storage position where it is stored to a protruding position where luggage that protrudes from the front surface 911 can be placed.

[0064] This and other embodiments allow for the provision of storage platforms 34, 94 without requiring a large dedicated area.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to certain preferred embodiments and other embodiments, these embodiments and other embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments and other embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and other embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0066] For example, in the embodiment, the loading platform 34, 94 is configured to rotate between a storage position and an open position (protruding position). However, this is not limited to this, and the loading platform 34, 94 may be configured to slide between a storage position where it is pushed into the checkout device 30, 90 and a protruding position where it is pulled out.

[0067] In the embodiment, the accounting device 30 is an apparatus equipped with a coin change machine 32, a banknote change machine 33, a coin slot 321, a banknote slot 331, a coin payout outlet 322, and a banknote payout outlet 332. However, the accounting device 30 is not limited to this, and may be an apparatus that only accepts non-cash transactions, and the coin change machine 32, the banknote change machine 33, the coin slot 321, the banknote slot 331, the coin payout outlet 322, and the banknote payout outlet 332 are not essential components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Self-checkout device 10 Registration device 11. Housing 12 Basket stand 20 Display 21 Touch Panel 30 Accounting Device 31 Case 32 Coin change machine 33 Banknote change machine 34 Loading platform 35 printers 90 Accounting Device 91 Case 94 Loading platform 95 Printer 311 Front 312 Top surface 321 Coin slot 322 Coin outlet 331 Bill slot 332 Banknote dispensing outlet 341 Storage section 342 Spindle 500 control section 700 control section 911 front 912 Top surface 921 Coin slot 922 Coin outlet 931 Bill slot 932 Banknote dispensing outlet [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0069] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-154279

Claims

1. An accounting device that performs accounting processing for products that have been registered by a registration device, The housing and a luggage platform that is retractable from a storage position stored in the front face of the housing to a protruding position on which luggage protruding forward from the front face can be placed; An accounting device equipped with:

2. The loading platform is rotatable between the storage position and the protruding position around a lower side of the loading platform as a support axis. The accounting device of claim 1 .

3. When the luggage placed at the protruding position is removed, the luggage platform automatically rotates to the storage position and is stored. The accounting device of claim 2 .

4. a dispensing port for dispensing change resulting from the transaction, on one side of the front surface of the housing in the left-right direction; Equipped with The loading platform is provided on the other side of the dispensing outlet at approximately the same height as the dispensing outlet, 4. The accounting device according to claim 1.

5. the dispensing outlet has a banknote dispensing outlet for dispensing banknotes and a coin dispensing outlet for dispensing coins, The loading platform is provided at approximately the same height as the coin dispensing outlet. The accounting device of claim 4.

6. The housing has a bill insertion slot for inserting bills and a coin insertion slot for inserting coins on the top surface thereof. The accounting device of claim 5.

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