Weighing device, weighing system, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a device or system that has small processing and operation burdens from the purchase to the payment of products sold by weight for systems, apparatuses, and users.SOLUTION: A weighing system 1 includes a plurality of weighing devices 2 and an information processing terminal 3. Each of the weighing devices 2 includes an identification information detection unit 201 that detects first identification information, a weighing unit 21 that weighs the weight of an item, and a communication processing unit 207 that outputs a measurement value measured by the weighing unit 21 when the first identification information detected by the identification information detection unit 201 can no longer be detected. In the weighing system 1, the information processing terminal 3 includes a communication processing unit 305 that acquires the measurement value output by the communication processing unit 207.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device, a weighing system, and a computer program for selling items by weight. [Background technology]

[0002] Selling by weight is becoming more common in school cafeterias and buffet-style cafeterias. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cafeteria payment device that is used in self-service employee cafeterias and performs payment using IC tags. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 2605361 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the restaurant payment device described in Patent Document 1 is designed for fixed-price items and is not suitable for items sold by weight. For example, when selling items by weight, it is necessary to obtain weighing data for each item, which requires a large amount of data to be handled. If this were to be achieved with the restaurant payment device, it would require many write operations to the IC tag. This would result in damage to the IC tag or writing errors. Furthermore, there was no way to check whether the weighing data had been written to the IC tag, which was inconvenient.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system, an apparatus, and furthermore, an apparatus or system that reduces the processing and operational burden on users from purchasing bulk merchandise to paying for it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the weighing system of the present invention is a weighing system comprising a plurality of weighing devices and an information processing terminal, wherein the weighing devices comprise a detection means for detecting first identification information, a weighing means for measuring the weight of an item, and an output means for outputting a measurement value measured by the weighing means when one of the first identification information detected by the detection means becomes undetectable, and the information processing terminal comprises an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement value output by the output means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the device configuration of a weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the weighing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a weighing device constituting the weighing system. [Figure 4] This figure shows the display and operation unit of the weighing device that constitutes the above-mentioned weighing system and examples of screens displayed on the display and operation unit, showing (a) when the weighing device 2 is in standby mode, (b) when accounting identification information has been detected, (c) when the weight is fluctuating, (d) when the weight is stable, (e) when accounting identification information can no longer be detected, and (f) the state immediately after the output of the weighing information has been completed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the weighing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in an item information storage unit in the weighing system. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a weighing information storage unit in the weighing system. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processes executed by the weighing device constituting the weighing system. [Figure 10]FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processes executed by an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an accounting slip issued by an information processing terminal constituting the weighing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Overview of Weighing System 1 Hereinafter, a weighing device and a weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2, the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment moves a tray 63 and dispenses items placed on multiple weighing devices 2 into containers on the tray 63, selling the items by weight, and is used in cafeterias such as school cafeterias that serve items in a buffet style. In the following explanation, the system is described as being used in a cafeteria, but it can also be used in regular restaurants and other establishments that serve items by weight. In this embodiment, an example of an item is a product sold by weight provided to users in a cafeteria such as a school cafeteria, more specifically, food such as prepared foods (cooked foods) or fruit. However, the item is not limited to these items, and may be non-beverage items such as liquids like beverages or mechanical parts, as long as it is suitable for being sold by weight. The weighing system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to cases where such food items are provided to users as items, but can also be used when a predetermined amount of items is supplied to the cafeteria.

[0009] The cafeteria has a counter 6 for serving food to customers. Counter 6 is provided with an item space 61, which is a space for arranging items such as goods, and a tray space 62, which is provided in front of item space 61 and on which trays 63 can be placed. In item space 61, a plurality of weighing devices 2 and information processing terminals 3 are arranged side by side, and various items are stored in containers 20 placed on top of weighing devices 2. A user places a serving plate or the like on tray 63, slides tray 63 across tray space 62, and places tray 63 in front of the container 20 containing the desired item, and then uses tongs, a scoop, or a spoon placed next to container 20 to scoop up the item and place it on the serving plate.

[0010] Tray 63 is provided with an IC tag that stores transaction identification information, which will be described later, and when tray 63 is placed in front of weighing device 2, it obtains the transaction identification information from the IC tag provided on tray 63 and outputs the transaction identification information and the weight of the scooped items as the purchased weight of the items to information processing terminal 3. When the user has gathered the desired items, they can have a transaction slip issued by information processing terminal 3 and have their payment processed at POS terminal 5 based on that transaction slip.

[0011] An electronic shelf label 64 is installed next to each weighing device 2. The electronic shelf label 64 is a small display that displays electronic data on a panel, and in this embodiment, it displays information about the items placed on the weighing device 2. This electronic shelf label 64 may be linked to a higher-level device, such as a management server that manages the electronic shelf label 64, via a transceiver (relay device), for example, and display information such as the item name and unit price of the items managed by the higher-level device. The host device may associate the weighing device 2's unit number with the electronic shelf label 64's identification number, thereby centrally managing the electronic shelf label 64 and the weighing devices 2 installed nearby. For example, when updating the data on the electronic shelf label 64, the operator displays the weighing device 2's unit number on the electronic shelf label 64 and also displays the weighing device's own unit number on the weighing device 2's display 23. After confirming that the unit numbers displayed on each device match, the operator places the electronic shelf label 64 near the weighing device 2 and then presses the complete button on the weighing device 2. This completes the information update on the host device, and the weighing device 2 returns to normal weighing mode. Because the user can clearly see the item name and unit price of the item handled by the weighing device 2 from the electronic shelf label 64 installed nearby, this makes it easier to understand the item information when selecting an item and prevents them from accidentally purchasing the wrong item.

[0012] The weighing system 1 is composed of a plurality of weighing devices 2, an information processing terminal 3, a sales management device 4, and a POS terminal 5.

[0013] The weighing device 2 is a device for providing any quantity of goods to a customer, and holds the goods in a specified container 20. This weighing device 2 is a subtraction type device that measures the weight of the goods and processes the reduction in the weighed goods as the net quantity of goods provided to the customer, and one weighing device 2 is prepared for each type of goods provided in the cafeteria, and one item is provided to a customer by one weighing device 2. The functions and structures of the weighing devices 2 are the same. Furthermore, in this embodiment, one weighing device 2 is assumed to provide one item to a user, but regardless of this, multiple items may be provided by one weighing device 2 as long as the items have the same unit price. In this case, multiple items are associated with one weighing device 2.

[0014] The information processing terminal 3 acquires the weighing information of the items from each weighing device 2, and generates payment information by distinguishing the weighing information for each user. Then, it issues a payment slip for the items provided to the user by each weighing device 2, which can be used to complete the payment at the POS terminal 5.

[0015] The sales management device 4 is a higher-level device than the various terminals and devices, and controls the entire weighing system 1, as well as stores and manages various files.

[0016] The POS terminal 5 is a terminal that processes the accounting for goods provided to a user, registers the goods, and executes the accounting for the registered goods. The POS terminal 5 can be any type of POS terminal, such as a full-self-service POS terminal where the user registers the goods themselves and performs the accounting themselves, or a semi-self-service POS terminal where a store clerk registers the goods at a registration machine and the user performs the accounting at a cash register. The POS terminal 5 includes functional units that are common to POS terminals. Specifically, the POS terminal 5 includes a display / operation unit for displaying and operating various information, a reading unit for reading various codes to acquire information, a settlement unit for accepting various payment media and cash, and a communication unit for enabling data communication with the sales management device 4. In one example of accounting processing by the POS terminal 5, the POS terminal 5 performs the accounting processing based on an accounting slip issued by the information processing terminal 3. In another example of accounting processing, the POS terminal 5 performs the accounting processing based on information collected from each weighing device 2 and registered in the sales management device 4.

[0017] In this weighing system 1, items sold in one transaction are associated with specific transaction identification information, and transaction processing for the items sold in that transaction is performed based on that specific transaction identification information. The transaction identification information that identifies a transaction is information that is unique to each transaction or tray 63, and this information makes it possible to identify the user who receives the items. In this embodiment, this transaction identification information is stored in an IC tag, which is attached to or embedded in the tray 63. The transaction identification information is an example of first identification information in the claims.

[0018] When a user places a tray 63 in front of a weighing device 2 that provides the specific item that the user wishes to purchase, the accounting identification information on the IC tag of that tray 63 comes within the detection range of tag reader 22, causing that weighing device 2 to detect the accounting identification information stored in the IC tag of that tray 63. The detection range for the IC tag by the weighing device 2 is near the front of the weighing device 2, so when a user places a tray 63 in front of one weighing device 2, that weighing device 2 detects the accounting identification information of that tray 63, but if the user moves the tray 63 away from that weighing device 2, for example by moving the tray 63 towards another weighing device 2, that weighing device 2 will no longer be able to detect the accounting identification information of that tray 63.

[0019] When detecting the transaction identification information stored in the IC tag of the tray 63 placed in front of it, the weighing device 2 associates the weight of the item scooped from the container 20 with that transaction identification information. The transaction for the item provided to the customer is then carried out based on the item information associated with that transaction identification information.

[0020] ●Hardware configuration of weighing device 2 FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the weighing system 1, and FIG. 3 shows an example of the external configuration of a more specifically realized weighing device 2.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the weighing device 2 is equipped with an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for reading programs and executing information processing, and storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to the above-mentioned weighing unit 21, tag reader 22, display 23, and communication unit 24 via an interface circuit.

[0022] The weighing unit 21 measures the weight of an article. As shown in Fig. 3, the weighing unit 21 includes a mounting portion 21a on which the article is placed. The mounting portion 21a is a scale pan, and the article is usually placed on the mounting portion 21a in a container 20. The weighing unit 21 measures the weight of the article placed on the mounting portion 21a together with the container 20. A user can scoop out a desired amount of items stored in the container 20 using a scoop or the like.

[0023] In this embodiment, the weighing unit 21 is made up of a weight detection unit 211 and an AD converter 212, and measures the weight of the article on the placement unit 21a by a weight detection method using a load cell. The weight detection unit 211 is realized by a load cell, and the AD converter 212 converts the analog signal input from the weight detection unit 211 into a digital signal. In converting to a digital signal, a range in which the weight value can be appropriately acquired is set, and the zero point and the maximum weighing value are recorded. The value converted into digital data is displayed as a weight (measured value) on the display 23. Note that information regarding the total weight of the items on the placement unit 21a after the items are removed is recorded, and in the next successive operation, this total weight is considered to be the total weight before the items were removed.

[0024] Tag reader 22 is an example of a functional unit that detects transaction identification information from IC tags attached to trays 63 within a specified detection range, and is equipped with an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. As described above, the detection range of IC tags by tag reader 22 is near the front of the weighing device 2. When a user places a tray 63 in front of a weighing device 2, the transaction identification information on the IC tag of that tray 63 comes within the detection range of tag reader 22, causing that weighing device 2 to detect the transaction identification information stored in the IC tag of that tray 63. On the other hand, if a user moves the tray 63 from in front of that weighing device 2, the transaction identification information on the IC tag of that tray 63 moves out of the detection range of tag reader 22, and that weighing device 2 is no longer able to detect the transaction identification information of that tray 63. When a user takes an item from a specific container 20, the user typically places a tray 63 in front of the weighing device 2 on which the specific container 20 is placed, so when a weighing device 2 detects the transaction identification information on the IC tag of the tray 63, it is considered that the user is about to take an item provided by that weighing device 2. Therefore, when a weighing device 2 detects the specific transaction identification information or when an item is scooped up just before detecting the specific transaction identification information, it can be considered that the user of the tray 63 equipped with an IC tag that stores the specific transaction identification information has scooped up the item.

[0025] Although the tag reader 22 is not shown in Figures 1 and 3, for example, the tag reader 22 is built into the display 23 part on the front side (tray space 62 side), and the detection range is near the front of the weighing device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the weighing device 2 is provided with a guide mark 25, which is a triangular design that guides the position where the tray 63 should be placed. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the tray 63 is also provided with a guide mark 51. By placing the tray 63 so that the outward-facing vertices of the triangles represented by the guide mark 25 on the weighing device 2 and the guide mark 51 on the tray 63 face each other, the weighing device 2 and the tray 63 face each other, allowing the tag reader 22 to detect the transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63. If the tray 63 is shifted a certain amount from this position, the tag reader 22 will no longer be able to detect the transaction identification information on the IC tag. Providing these guide marks 25 and 51 makes the user aware of the correct position for placing the tray 63, and ensures that the tag reader 22 can reliably detect the transaction identification information from the IC tag. Furthermore, the detection range of tag reader 22 is appropriately tuned by a conventionally known method so that tag readers 22 of adjacent weighing devices 2 do not interfere with each other.

[0026] The display 23 is an example of a display and operation unit that displays various information and accepts operations. However, the display and operation unit may be realized by a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key. 4, the display 23 is provided with a display area for displaying information about the items weighed by the weighing unit 21. This display area may be configured with a purchase weight display area 23-1, a total weight display area 23-2, an item unit price display area 23-3, and a sales price display area 23-4 for displaying the sales price (selling price) of the item according to the purchased weight of the item. In addition, the display may be provided with a status display area 23-5 for displaying the status of the weighing operation, and operation buttons 23-6 for accepting predetermined operations.

[0027] The purchase weight of the item displayed in the purchase weight display area 23-1 is the weight of the item scooped from the container 20 placed on the placement section 21a, and is the weight of the item sold to the customer. This purchase weight of the item is the weight subtracted from the total weight, and is the difference between the most recent total weight and the total weight after a weight change was detected. The total weight of the items displayed in the total weight display area 23-2 is the weighing value of the items on the loading section 21a measured by the weighing section 21, and if the items are contained in a container 20, it may also include the weight of the container 20. The unit price of the item displayed in the unit price display area 23-3 is based on data stored in the unit price information storage unit 2B, which will be described later. However, the unit price may also be obtained from the information processing terminal 3 and displayed. The selling price displayed in the selling price display area 23-4 is calculated by the calculation processing unit 203 (described later) based on the purchased weight and unit price of the item. However, in other embodiments, the selling price may be calculated by the information processing terminal 3.

[0028] In the status display area 23-5, icons are displayed that indicate the status based on the weight change and operation of the item on the placement section 21a. In the illustrated example, the status display area 23-5 may have a vertical length that is equal to or greater than that of the other display areas 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, and 23-4, which makes it easier to grasp the status.

[0029] Operation button 23-6 is a button for confirming or selecting various operations. Regardless of the example in which weight information is output to information processing terminal 3 when transaction identification information is detected or no longer detected from an IC tag, or when the weight of an item is detected as being stable, operation using operation button 23-6 may be accepted and weight information may be sent to information processing terminal 3 in response. Furthermore, when setting up electronic shelf labels 64, setting operations may also be performed using operation button 23-6. In addition, a separate indicator may be provided on the display 23 to indicate that a zero reset has been performed, that the maintenance mode, which performs linkage settings between the electronic shelf tag 64 and the weighing device 2, etc., has ended, and that the weight has been set to 0 g in the maintenance mode.

[0030] Here, specific examples of information displayed on the display 23 will be described along a series of steps with reference to FIGS. 4(a)-(f). 4(a) shows the weighing device 2 in standby mode. In standby mode, significant values ​​are displayed only in the total weight display area 23-2 and the unit price display area 23-3, while the purchase weight display area 23-1 and the selling price display area 23-4 are blank. In addition, in line with the blank purchase weight display area 23-1 and the selling price display area 23-4, the status display area 23-5 also displays no icons and is blank.

[0031] 4(b) shows the state in which the tray 63 is placed in front of the weighing device 2 and the tag reader 22 has detected the transaction identification information on the IC tag. An icon is displayed in the status display area 23-5 to notify that the transaction identification information has been detected.

[0032] 4(c) shows a state where the weighed weight (weighing value) is fluctuating due to the user scooping items from the container 20, etc. (sometimes referred to as a "weight fluctuation state"). In this state, significant values ​​are displayed in the purchase weight display area 23-1 and the selling price display area 23-4. An icon informing the user that the weight is fluctuating is displayed in the status display area 23-5.

[0033] 4(d) shows a state where the weighed weight (weighing value) is stable after the user has finished picking up the items (sometimes referred to as a "stable weight state"). As the weight changes from a fluctuating state to a stable weight state, the icon in the status display area 23-5 changes to an icon indicating that the weight is in a stable state. In the state shown in Figure 4(b), the weighing weight is stable simply because tray 63 has been placed in front of weighing device 2, so the status display area 23-5 displays the same icon as the stable weight state shown in Figure 4(d). However, in other examples, transaction identification information may be added to the recognition state, and different icons may be displayed depending on whether the weight is stable with the purchased weight of the item at zero (the state shown in Figure 4(b)) or stable with the purchased weight of the item at a significant value (the state shown in Figure 4(d)).

[0034] FIG. 4(e) shows the state in which the weighing information is being output to the information processing terminal 3. The weighing information is output to the information processing terminal 3 when the tag reader 22 can no longer detect the accounting identification information on the IC tag, for example, because the tray 63 has moved away from the front of the weighing device 2, or when the tag reader 22 no longer detects the accounting identification information on the IC tag, or when the weight of the item being weighed stabilizes after fluctuating. An icon is displayed in the status display area 23-5 to indicate that the weighing information is being output. Additionally, the total weight display area 23-2 displays an image (in the illustrated example, an image of rotating dots) in which the value disappears, indicating that the weighing information is being output. This image display allows the user to easily recognize that the weighing information is being output, and when the display screen changes to that shown in FIG. 4(f), which indicates that the weighing information has been output, the user can confirm that the weighing information has been output appropriately, and then move on to the next weighing device 2 or information processing terminal 3.

[0035] 4(f) shows the state immediately after the output of the weighing information is completed. An icon is displayed in the status display area 23-5 to notify that the output of the weighing information is completed. In addition, the word "End" is displayed in the total weight display area 23-2 to indicate that the output of the weighing information is completed, allowing the user to recognize that the series of processes is complete. The display screen shown in FIG. 4(f) returns to the standby display screen of FIG. 4(a) after a certain period of time has elapsed. The display of "End" may also be made in response to receiving a command from the information processing terminal 3 indicating that the weighing information has been received normally. If the information processing terminal 3 does not receive the weighing information normally, the weighing device 2 may receive a command from the information processing terminal 3 indicating abnormal reception and display "Error" in response. In this case, the information processing terminal 3 may also output which weighing device the error occurred in, or the error (including the weighing device's serial number) may be notified to a separate store clerk terminal.

[0036] In this way, the display 23 of the weighing device 2 displays the net quantity (purchase weight), total weight, unit price, and selling price of the items according to the progress status, so the user can scoop up the items from the weighing device 2 while understanding this information.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the four display areas 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, and 23-4 and the status display area 23-5 are separated, but they may be configured as an integrated display area. In that case, the display area may indicate that a zero reset has been performed, that a maintenance mode for setting the link between the electronic shelf label 64 and the weighing device 2 has ended, and that the weight has been set to 0 g in the maintenance mode.

[0038] The communication unit 24 is realized by one or more communication means for realizing connection with each terminal or device. For example, the interconnection with the information processing terminal 3 is realized by a wired or wireless LAN. If the communication unit 24 is implemented using a wired LAN, the power source for the weighing device 2 may be secured by PoE (Power over Ethernet) power supply from the information processing terminal 3 connected to an external power source. However, this does not prevent the weighing device 2 from being directly connected to an external power source or being powered by an internal battery.

[0039] The weighing device 2 may also include an alarm unit such as a speaker or a sign lamp. For example, when a user is scooping items from the weighing device 2 by operating it, the alarm unit may emit a sound or light to notify the user when the weight of the items scooped from the weighing device 2 approaches a predetermined weight. In this case, the sound or light may change as the weight of the items approaches the predetermined weight. Alternatively, the user may preset the desired amount as the designated weight, and a voice message such as "Almost at the designated weight" or "Please scoop a little at a time" may be emitted. The designated weight may be set, for example, using a numeric keypad provided separately on the weighing device 2. That is, when a number is entered using the numeric keypad while the weight has not yet been detected, the display 23, which displays the weight, may flash a number, or display an alternative to the detected value. Once the provision of the items begins, the display switches to the actual weight.

[0040] Furthermore, messages such as "Almost 300 yen" or "Almost 800 yen" may be issued in stages depending on a preset price threshold. Furthermore, for both the designated weight and set price messages, notifications may be issued in stages before the preset price is reached, or when the set price is reached. Furthermore, when purchasing an item by specifying the transaction identification information, item, and weight on the information processing terminal 3, the weighing device 2 can transmit weight data to the information processing terminal 3 to realize a similar notification on the information processing terminal 3 side. As with the specified weight, a sales price can also be specified, and notifications and guidance can be provided based on that sales price. If both the specified weight and the specified sales price can be set, an operator can be provided to select either the specified weight or the specified sales price. Specifically, the user holds a medium capable of reading transaction identification information over the tag reader 31 so that the transaction identification information can be detected on the standby screen of the information processing terminal 3, and then enters the specified weight or specified sales price of the item to be purchased, or selects a preset specified weight or specified sales price using the selection buttons. This information is then stored in the information processing terminal 3. When the weighing device 2 detects transaction identification information, it queries the information processing terminal 3, etc., and provides the above-mentioned operational assistance if the detected transaction identification information includes its own device's serial number (which may be item identification information or device identification information stored in the device). In addition to the information processing terminal 3, a separate information processing terminal for specifying the amount or price of the purchased item may be provided.

[0041] ● Software configuration of weighing device 2 As shown in Figure 6, the weighing device 2 has, as software resources, an identification information storage unit 2A, a unit price information storage unit 2B, an identification information detection unit 201, a weight detection unit 202, a calculation processing unit 203, an initialization processing unit 204, a unit price acquisition processing unit 205, a display control unit 206, and a communication processing unit 207.

[0042] The identification information storage unit 2A stores item identification information that can identify an item placed on the placement unit 21a of the weighing device 2. This item identification information is an example of item identification information that can identify an item from multiple items. The item identification information is also an example of second identification information in the claims. In this embodiment, the item identification information constituting the item specification information is unique to each item and is composed of, for example, a PLU code. This item identification information is provided from the weighing device 2 to the information processing terminal 3, allowing the information processing terminal 3 to identify the item weighed by a specific weighing device 2.

[0043] The item identification information may be configured using device identification information that is unique to each weighing device 2. The device identification information can also uniquely identify a specific weighing device 2 from multiple weighing devices 2. Therefore, if a predetermined item is placed on each weighing device 2, the item for each weighing device 2 can be identified using the device identification information. In this case, the device identification information may be treated as the item identification information, or if the device identification information and the item identification information are stored in a one-to-one correspondence in an information processing terminal 3 or the like, an item associated with one item identification information can be identified from the specific device identification information. Therefore, in this case, the device identification information can also be identified from the item identification information, and it can be recognized which item is being handled by which weighing device 2. In this case, the device identification information may be any information that can identify a specific weighing device 2, and may be, for example, converter identification information that is held by the AD converter 212 and can identify the AD converter 212. The device identification information may also be set by a DIP switch or the like that is separately provided on the weighing device 2. The identification information storage unit 2A may also be provided in a repeater that exists on the network between the weighing device 2 and the information processing terminal 3, and the repeater may transmit the device identification information to the information processing terminal 3.

[0044] The unit price information storage unit 2B is a storage unit that stores unit price information of the items placed on the weighing device 2. The weighing device 2 can refer to this unit price information to calculate the selling price according to the purchase weight of the weighed items.

[0045] The identification information detection unit 201 controls the tag reader 22 to detect transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63 placed in front of the weighing device 2. This identification information detection unit 201 can determine whether transaction identification information can be detected from the IC tag on the tray 63 within a predetermined detection range set in front of the weighing device 2, and whether the detected transaction identification information can no longer be detected. It is also possible to set a predetermined effective range within the predetermined detection range and determine whether transaction identification information can be detected within this predetermined effective range. Identification information detection unit 201 can operate tag reader 22 all the time, or can operate it at regular intervals.

[0046] The weight detection unit 202 controls the weighing unit 21 to measure the weight of the item on the placement unit 21a and detect the weight change and stable state of the item on the placement unit 21a, thereby allowing the weighing device 2 to obtain the weight value of the item in a stable state. In one example, the weighing device 2 acquires transaction identification information using the tag reader 22, then detects a change in the weight of the item on the weighing device 2 using the weight detection unit 202. When it detects that the weight has stabilized, it outputs the item identification information, measurement value, and transaction identification information of the item scooped from the container 20 as measurement information to the information processing terminal 3. In another example, the weighing device 2 detects that the weight has stabilized after detecting a change in the weight of the item, and when it acquires transaction identification information during or after that process, it outputs the measurement information to the information processing terminal 3. The measurement value output to the information processing terminal 3 here is the weight value when it detects that the item's weight has stabilized (the net weight calculated by the calculation processing unit 203, described below). Hereinafter, the weight value (net weight) when it detects that the item's weight has stabilized may be referred to as the stable weight value.

[0047] The calculation processing unit 203 calculates the selling price based on the purchase weight of the item scooped from the weighing unit 21 and provided to the customer. In this embodiment, the total weight is retained when the tag reader 22 is no longer able to detect transaction identification information or after the weighing device 2 outputs weighing information to the information processing terminal 3. This total weight becomes a first measurement value related to the weighing result of the item before the next transaction identification information is detected by the tag reader 22 and the customer scoops the item from the loading unit 21a. When the customer scoops an item, the calculation processing unit 203 subtracts a second measurement value related to the weighing result of the item after the item is scooped from the first measurement value to calculate a third measurement value. The first and second measurement values ​​are the weight values ​​of the item before and after it is provided to the customer, and the third measurement value, which is the difference between these values, can be considered the purchase weight (net weight) of the item provided to the customer.

[0048] The calculation processing unit 203 refers to the unit price information stored in the unit price information storage unit 2B and multiplies the unit price of the item by the purchase weight to calculate the sales price of the item. It is also possible to calculate the sales price of the item according to each of the first and second measurement values ​​described above, and use the difference as the sales price of the item. Since the difference between the weight before and after providing the item is used as the purchase weight of the item, there is no need to perform a tare operation, which reduces the operational burden on the user. As a result, the time required to provide the item to the user is shortened, and waiting in line is less likely to occur. Furthermore, the reduced operational burden can reduce weighing errors caused by the operation.

[0049] The initialization processing unit 204 executes a process of initializing the purchase weight based on the weight of the items placed on the placement unit 21a to an initial value in response to a predetermined timing or operation. In one example of initialization processing by the initialization processing unit 204, when the weight detection unit 202 detects an increase in the total weight of the items on the placement unit 21a, the purchase weight of the items is initialized to an initial value (0 g). In this embodiment, the purchase weight is the weight subtracted from the total weight of the items on the placement unit 21a, but when items are replaced or replenished, or when items that have been scooped up are returned, the weight will increase from the most recent weighed value. Therefore, by initializing the purchase weight of the items in accordance with the increase in the total weight of the items, the subsequent checkout processing can be made appropriate. In this embodiment, the purchase weight is the weight subtracted from the total weight of the items on the loading section 21a, and since the purchase weight becomes a negative value when the total weight increases, the purchase weight of the items may be initialized when it is detected that the purchase weight has become a negative value.

[0050] In addition, when replacing an item, if the item is removed from the placement section 21a and then a zero reset operation is performed, when a change in weight detects that an item has been placed on the placement section 21a again, the first purchase weight after the zero reset may be automatically initialized to 0g.

[0051] If the weight of the item increases, the purchase weight will become a negative value, but it is advisable to display a message such as "ERROR" on the display to indicate that it is not the purchase weight. In this case, in other examples, it may be displayed as blank or "0 yen".

[0052] The initialization process for setting the purchased weight of the items as the initial value can also be executed in response to a request from the information processing terminal 3. The initialization process may be executed automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed in case the store clerk forgets to reset the container 20 to zero after refilling the container 20 with items. In this case, a minimum refill weight threshold may be set, and the weight may be initialized immediately if the refill weight is equal to or greater than the threshold. In addition, in conjunction with the execution of the process by the initialization processing unit 204, the unit price information of the items may be acquired by the unit price acquisition processing unit 205, which will be described later.

[0053] The unit price acquisition processing unit 205 acquires, at a predetermined timing, unit price information from a terminal or device that stores the unit price information of an item, such as the information processing terminal 3 or the sales management device 4. The acquisition of unit price information is executed, for example, by sending to the information processing terminal 3 or the like a request to acquire unit price information of an item identified by the item identification information, along with the item identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 2A, and upon receiving the unit price information, the unit price information is registered in the unit price information storage unit 2B.

[0054] The unit price acquisition process may be executed, for example, when the purchase weight is initialized in response to an increase in the total weight of the items on the mounting section 21a, the weighing weight is reset to zero, the power is turned on, etc. Furthermore, when the weighing device 2 does not store information related to the unit price of the items and a weight change is detected, the weighing device 2 may request the information processing terminal 3 to acquire information related to the unit price of the items together with the item identification information.

[0055] In addition, the unit price information may be transmitted from the information processing terminal 3 to the weighing device 2 when a request to transmit unit price information specifying the weighing device 2 is received on the maintenance screen of the information processing terminal 3, or when the unit price information stored in the item information storage unit 3A is changed.

[0056] Furthermore, the unit price information stored in the unit price information storage unit 2B of the weighing device 2 and the unit price information stored in the item information storage unit 3A on the information processing terminal 3 side may be judged to be different, and if they are different, a warning may be given by a sign light or the like provided on the information processing terminal 3 that there is a problem with the registration of the unit price information. In this case, a confirmation screen for whether or not to send the item unit price information from the information processing terminal 3 to the weighing device 2 may be displayed as a pop-up or superimposed on the full screen, or the screen may be moved to a setting screen (data update screen) to prompt the administrator or the like to update the unit price information.

[0057] Furthermore, when the weighing system 1 is started up, the weighing device 2 may make an inquiry to the information processing terminal 3, and the information processing terminal 3 may transmit information on the unit price of the item provided by each weighing device 2 to each weighing device 2. Furthermore, not only when the weighing system 1 is started up, but also when item identification information is specified by operation from the maintenance screen or the weighing device 2, the information processing terminal 3 may transmit the unit price of the item corresponding to the item identification information to a specific weighing device 2.

[0058] The display control unit 206 controls the display 23 to display various information on the display 23. In this embodiment, the information displayed on the display 23 includes the total weight of the goods, the purchased weight of the goods, the unit price, the selling price, etc., as described above.

[0059] The communication processing unit 207 is a functional unit that executes transmission and reception of data with the information processing terminal 3, the upper sales management device 4, etc. via the communication unit 24, and realizes data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The weighing device 2 can use this communication processing unit 207 to associate the item identification information registered in the identification information memory unit 2A, the purchase weight of the item related to the weighing result by the weighing unit 21, and the transaction identification information detected by the identification information detection unit 201, and transmit this as weighing information to the information processing terminal 3. The communication processing unit 207 is an example of an output unit that outputs measurement information. The output of information in this embodiment includes not only a process of transmitting information to other nodes via a wired or wireless network, but also a process of sharing data with devices or terminals connected in a manner that allows data to be widely shared.

[0060] ●Hardware configuration of information processing terminal 3 The information processing terminal 3 is a device that inputs and outputs predetermined information and issues accounting slips for items provided to users from the weighing device 2. The information processing terminal 3 obtains information about the items provided to users from the weighing device 2, and accordingly issues accounting slips on which information for selling the items provided to the users is printed.

[0061] 2, the information processing terminal 3 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for reading programs and executing information processing, and storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to a tag reader 31, a touch panel 32, and a communication unit 33 via an interface circuit. Furthermore, an issuing unit 34 that issues accounting slips is connected via a dedicated cable. However, in other examples, the issuing unit 34 may be configured integrally with other hardware.

[0062] Like tag reader 22 included in weighing device 2, tag reader 31 is an example of a functional unit that detects transaction identification information from an IC tag attached to tray 63 within a predetermined detection range, and is equipped with an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Like tag reader 22, the detection range for IC tags by tag reader 31 is near the front of information processing terminal 3. When a user places a tray 63 in front of information processing terminal 3, the transaction identification information of that tray 63 comes within the detection range of tag reader 31, causing the information processing terminal 3 to detect the transaction identification information of that tray 63. When a user receives a transaction slip from information processing terminal 3, they place tray 63 in front of information processing terminal 3. This causes the information processing terminal 3 to detect the transaction identification information from the IC tag of tray 63 placed in front of it. 5, information processing terminal 3 also has guide mark 35, which is a triangular design that guides the position where tray 63 is placed. By placing tray 63 so that the outward-facing vertices of the triangles represented by guide mark 35 on information processing terminal 3 and guide mark 51 on tray 63 face each other, information processing terminal 3 and tray 63 will face each other directly, allowing tag reader 31 to detect the transaction identification information from the IC tag on tray 63.

[0063] Touch panel 32 is an example of a display and operation unit that displays various information and accepts operations. Alternatively, the display and operation unit may be realized by a display unit such as an LCD panel and an operation unit such as mechanical keys. Touch panel 32 displays a screen for issuing accounting slips to the user and accepts operations to issue accounting slips from the user.

[0064] The communication unit 33 is realized by one or more communication means for realizing connection with each terminal or device. The interconnection with the weighing device 2 is realized by, for example, a wired or wireless LAN.

[0065] The issuing unit 34 generates accounting slips by printing the print information generated by the print information generating unit 304 (described below) on a specified medium, and then ejects the accounting slips from the issuing port 34a shown in Figure 1. The accounting slips may be paper receipts or labels.

[0066] In addition, the information processing terminal 3 may also be equipped with a scanner unit that reads one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes attached to items other than bulk products, an audio output unit that outputs error sounds, operation sounds, or audio guidance, depending on the sales method of the item and appropriate specifications.

[0067] ● Software configuration of information processing terminal 3 As shown in Figure 6, the information processing terminal 3 has, as software resources, an item information storage unit 3A, a measurement information storage unit 3B, a calculation processing unit 302, a display / operation control unit 303, a print information generation unit 304, and a communication processing unit 305, and the communication processing unit 305 further establishes communication with an issuance processing unit 306.

[0068] The item information storage unit 3A is a storage unit that stores basic information about the items to be weighed in the weighing device 2, such as the item name and unit price. Data items stored in this item information storage unit 3A include, for example, item identification information, item name, weighing category, unit price, and unit weight, as shown in Fig. 7 . The information stored in the item information storage unit 3A may be received from the sales management device 4 or a cloud server located outside the restaurant. Furthermore, the item information storage unit 3A may store the identification number of at least one electronic shelf label 64 in association with one item.

[0069] Here, the measurement category is a category related to measurement. Measurement category "0" is the measurement category corresponding to "unspecified weight." Unspecified weight is a sales method in which the selling price is determined based on a preset unit price per unit weight ("100g" in this embodiment) and the weight to be sold (measured value). For items in measurement category "0 (unspecified weight)," the weight to be sold is required when determining the selling price.

[0070] When the measurement category is "0 (unfixed weight)," the unit price column stores the unit price per unit weight, and the unit weight column stores the unit weight. For example, for an item with item identification information "SH001" (item name "AAA"), it is stored that the unit price per 100g is 250 yen. Therefore, for an item with item name "AAA," if the weighing value is 50g, the selling price will be 125 yen, and if the weighing value is 200g, the selling price will be 500 yen.

[0071] Measurement category "1" is the measurement category corresponding to "fixed weight." Fixed weight is a sales method in which the selling price is determined based on a preset unit price per unit quantity ("1 piece" in this embodiment) and the sales quantity converted from the unit weight. For items in measurement category "1 (fixed weight)," the quantity of the item is calculated or estimated from the unit weight of the item (the weight of one item, which is the unit quantity) and the measurement value, and the sales price is determined from the calculated or estimated quantity of the item and the unit price per unit quantity, so the item must be weighed. In addition, weight errors of individual items can be corrected using an accuracy correction function provided in counting scales, etc.

[0072] When the measurement category is "1 (fixed weight)," the unit price field stores the unit price per unit weight (i.e., quantity "1"), and the unit weight field stores the unit weight corresponding to quantity "1." For example, for a product (product name "ABC") with product identification information "SH103," it is stored that the unit price per unit (weight 80g) is 90 yen. Therefore, for an item with product name "ABC," if the weight is about 85g, the selling price will be 90 yen for one unit, and if the weight is about 150g, the selling price will be 180 yen for two units.

[0073] The weighing information storage unit 3B is a storage unit that stores information output from the weighing device 2. As shown in Fig. 8, this weighing information storage unit 3B stores at least information related to item identification information (device identification information), net weight (purchase weight), and transaction identification information, which are associated with each other, as weighing information for items provided to users by the weighing device 2. It may also store a stable state flag. As described below, the stable state flag indicates the operation result of the weighing device 2, and can be used to identify normal or irregular operation. The calculation processing unit 302 can refer to the measurement information stored in the measurement information storage unit 3B and calculate the sales price based on the item and its purchase weight associated with the specified transaction identification information. In addition, the sales price based on the unit price and purchase weight of the item may also be registered in the weighing information storage unit 3B. This sales price may be calculated by the calculation processing unit 203 of the weighing device 2 or by the calculation processing unit 302 of the information processing terminal 3.

[0074] The identification information detection unit 301 controls the tag reader 31 to detect transaction identification information from the IC tag of the tray 63 placed in front of the information processing terminal 3. Like the identification information detection unit 201, this identification information detection unit 301 can determine whether transaction identification information can be detected from the IC tag of the tray 63 within a predetermined detection range set in front of the information processing terminal 3, and whether the detected transaction identification information can no longer be detected. It is also possible to set a predetermined effective range within the predetermined detection range and determine whether transaction identification information can be detected within this predetermined effective range. Identification information detection unit 301 can also operate tag reader 31 constantly, or can operate it at regular intervals.

[0075] The calculation processing unit 302 references the item information storage unit 3A and the measurement information storage unit 3B to calculate the sales price of the item provided to the user from the purchase weight and unit price of the item based on the specified transaction identification information. Furthermore, when multiple items have been provided to the user, i.e., when multiple items are associated with the specified transaction identification information, the calculation processing unit 302 can calculate the total sales price of the multiple items. This provides the settlement information with information related to the items provided to the user, their purchase weight, and sales price. In addition, since the selling price of the item based on the purchased weight of the item is also calculated by the weighing device 2, the calculated price of the item calculated by the weighing device 2 may be used to calculate the final selling price of the item.

[0076] The display / operation control unit 303 controls the touch panel 32 to display various types of information on the touch panel 32 and to accept input of various types of information. The information to be displayed includes information stored in the product information storage unit 3A, such as the product name and unit price, information stored in the measurement information storage unit 3B, such as the sales weight, and information such as the product sales price calculated by the calculation processing unit 302. The display / operation control unit 303 also processes and edits this information as appropriate, and displays on the touch panel 32 information that is configured as selectable information, as well as operators for accepting requests to issue accounting slips.

[0077] The print information generation unit 304 generates print information related to the content to be printed on the accounting slip. The generated print information includes at least information related to the sales price of the item associated with the specified accounting identification information calculated by the calculation processing unit 302, as well as information necessary for accounting of the item, such as information such as the name of the item stored in the item information storage unit 3A and information related to the weighing results of the item by the weighing device 2. The print information generated by the print information generation unit 304 is output to the issuance processing unit 306. The printed information, or the accounting information contained in the printed information, can be coded into a one-dimensional or two-dimensional symbol code.

[0078] The communication processing unit 305 transmits and receives data to and from the issuance processing unit 306 and the weighing device 2 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The information processing terminal 3 can use this communication processing unit 305 to receive information related to the purchased weight of an item along with item identification information from the weighing device 2, and output print information to the issuance processing unit 306. The communication processing unit 305 may also transmit and receive data to and from a higher-level sales management device 4 or the like via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. It may also transmit and receive data to and from an external server via a network such as the Internet. The communication processing unit 305 is an example of an acquisition means for acquiring weighing information from the weighing device 2, but the acquisition means may receive the weighing information via a network, or may accept the weighing information from another device or terminal (which may be the weighing device 2) connected to the information processing terminal 3 without going via a network.

[0079] The issuance processing unit 306 controls the issuing unit 34 to print the print information generated by the print information generating unit 304 on a predetermined medium and issue an accounting slip.

[0080] In addition to these functional units, the information processing terminal 3 also includes a setting file relating to the layout of the GUI displayed on the touch panel 32, etc.

[0081] In addition, the software resources possessed by the above-mentioned information processing terminal 3 can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or as separate devices.

[0082] ●Processing flow The following describes the process executed when an item is provided to a user in the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment. Before using the weighing system 1, the cafeteria sets, for each weighing device 2, the item identification information and unit price information of the item provided to the user by the weighing device 2.

[0083] 9 shows the process flow from when an item is provided to a customer by weighing device 2 to when that information is output to information processing terminal 3. Before providing the item, the restaurant prepares tray 63 with an IC tag attached, as well as tools for scooping up the item, such as tongs and a spoon.

[0084] A user places a tray 63 in front of the weighing device 2 on which a container 20 containing desired items is placed, and then uses a scoop or the like to scoop the items from the container 20 (S101). The weighing device 2 simultaneously detects weight changes, calculates and displays the purchase weight and sales price, and detects transaction identification information. Specifically, the weight detection unit 202 controls the weighing unit 21 to weigh the weight of each container 20 on the loading section 21a, and detects weight changes and a stable weight state for the items (S102, S103). As a result, while the user is scooping items from the container 20 on the weighing device 2, the weight detection unit 202 detects weight changes, and when the user has finished scooping the items, the stable weight state of the items on the loading section 21a is detected. The user continues to scoop articles from the container 20 onto the serving trays on the tray 63 until the desired amount of articles is taken (S104), and each time, the change in weight of the articles and the stable state are detected.

[0085] Furthermore, in parallel with the process of detecting weight changes and weight stability by weight detection unit 202, calculation processing unit 203 constantly calculates the purchase weight from the weight of the items weighed by weighing unit 21, calculates the selling price of the items by multiplying the unit price of the items by the purchase weight, and causes display control unit 206 to display the purchase weight, selling price, etc. on display 23 (S105). As will be described later, in addition to this information, display 23 also displays the total weight of the items on placement unit 21a weighed by weighing unit 21, the unit price of the items, status, etc.

[0086] In addition, the identification information detection unit 201 controls the tag reader 22 to detect transaction identification information from the IC tag of the tray 63 placed in front of the weighing device 2, and when the transaction identification information of the tray 63 comes within the detection range of the tag reader 22, the transaction identification information is detected (S106).

[0087] When the customer has finished taking out the desired amount of items, they move away from the weighing device 2 with the tray 63. Normally, this causes the transaction identification information on the tray 63 to move out of the detection range of the tag reader 22 of the weighing device 2, and the weighing device 2 is no longer able to detect the transaction identification information that was previously detected by the identification information detection unit 201. When predetermined output conditions are met based on the measurement of the item weight and the detection status of the transaction identification information (S107), the weighing device 2 associates the item identification information, purchase weight, and transaction identification information and outputs the resulting weight information to the information processing terminal 3 (S108). Note that the purchased weight of the item output to the information processing terminal 3 here is the weight value when the weight has finally stabilized (stable weight value).

[0088] In a first example of the predetermined output condition, the condition is that the weight detection unit 202 detects a weight change and then detects a stable weight state, and the transaction identification information previously detected by the identification information detection unit 201 can no longer be detected. In other words, when a stable weight value is detected after a change in the weight of an item, this is temporarily stored, and the weighing information is output to the information processing terminal 3 when the transaction identification information previously detected by the identification information detection unit 201 can no longer be detected. This is the operation that is assumed to be normal operation.

[0089] When operating under the output conditions of this first example, if a stable weight value is not detected after a weight change and the previously detected transaction identification information can no longer be detected, this may be treated as an error. Also, if a stable weight value is detected after a weight change, but transaction identification information cannot be detected at the time of detection of the stable weight value, this may be treated as an error. In this case, the cause may be a malfunction of the tag reader 22 or damage to the IC tag on the tray 63. In such cases, the weighing device 2 may display an error indicating that it is inoperable or that an error state has occurred in which a stable weight value was not detected at the specified time, or that an error state has occurred in which a stable weight value was obtained but transaction identification information could not be detected from the IC tag, and an error to that effect may also be output to the information processing terminal 3.

[0090] However, even in this case, the system may be configured to not treat the error as occurring for a specified period of time after an error has been detected. That is, when a stable weight value is detected and transaction identification information is detected again, for example, when tray 63 returns to the detection range of tag reader 22, and it becomes possible to output the weighing information appropriately, the weighing information may be output to the information processing terminal 3. In this case, the error may be resolved when the transaction identification information is detected again, and the weighing information may then be output to the information processing terminal 3 when the transaction identification information can no longer be detected. Alternatively, after the transaction identification information is detected, the error may be resolved on the condition that a specified operation is performed to request the output of weighing information, such as an output operation using operation button 23-6 (see FIG. 4), and the weighing information may then be output to the information processing terminal 3. When treating an error state as resolvable in this way, a voice message such as "Please move the tray slightly" may be issued to guide the user on how to resolve the error. Since it is possible that the positional relationship between the tag reader 22 and the IC tag on the tray 63 may cause problems and make it impossible to detect the transaction identification information, if the error can be easily resolved, it is more efficient to resolve the error and treat it as a valid action rather than uniformly treating it as an unresolvable error, and this also avoids unnecessary stress for the user.

[0091] In addition, during the above output operation, the weighing device 2 may be required to input authentication information such as a predetermined numerical value using a numeric keypad or other device separately provided thereon. In this case, the weighing information may be output without going through the output operation upon input of the authentication information, or the output operation may be enabled upon input of the authentication information. This ensures a function equivalent to authority management and avoids the inconvenience of the user being able to easily clear the error state. On the other hand, to prompt the user to resolve the error state, audio or on-screen guidance may be provided to return the tray 63 to a predetermined position (in front of the weighing device 2, which is within the detection range of the tag reader 22) or to perform the output operation.

[0092] Furthermore, flag management may be performed according to the mode of each process. For example, a stable state flag may be provided that can distinguish between normal operation, operation resulting from error resolution, and operation in which the error is not resolved by operation and the net amount is forcibly set to zero to resolve the error.

[0093] Furthermore, if the weighing value of an item fluctuates by more than a predetermined value while the weighing device 2 has not detected transaction identification information, the weighing device 2 may sound a buzzer or output a predetermined message by voice or on a screen to notify the user of the situation. Examples of messages include "Please bring the tray closer to the weighing device" or "The tray's IC tag has not been recognized." Regardless of this, an LED lamp or other indicator may be illuminated in different colors, such as green during normal operation and red during abnormal operation, for example, if the weight fluctuates before the transaction identification information is detected or if the user leaves after the transaction identification information has been detected but before the weight has stabilized. Normally, when the tray 63 is brought close to the weighing device 2 and the transaction identification information is detected, a voice output such as "Please scoop up the items" or "You can now transfer the items to a container" is given, and when the weighing of the items has stabilized, a voice output such as "Please move" or "Weighing data has been obtained" is given, to guide the user to carry out the correct operation method.

[0094] In the second example, the condition is that the weight detection unit 202 detects a weight change, then detects a stable weight state, and then detects transaction identification information within a predetermined time period. Therefore, if transaction identification information is detected before the item's weight is detected to be stable, the weighing information is output to the information processing terminal 3 when the item's weight stabilizes. On the other hand, if transaction identification information is not detected when the item's weight stabilizes, the stable weight value is temporarily stored, and when transaction identification information is detected within a predetermined time period, the weighing information is output to the information processing terminal 3 at that time. However, regardless of this example, the timing of the weighing information output may also be when transaction identification information is detected within the predetermined time period and then transaction identification information cannot be detected again, or when an output operation such as an output operation using the operation button 23-6 (see FIG. 4) is performed after transaction identification information is detected. The operation in this second example is irregular and differs from the normal operation described above, but in actual operation, there may be a discrepancy between the timing of detecting the stable weight value and the timing of detecting the transaction identification information. Therefore, by providing a grace period for waiting for the detection of the transaction identification information within a specified time after the stable weight value is obtained, errors due to processing time lags or errors caused by unfamiliar operation by the user can be prevented, and the user can be prevented from experiencing inconvenience.

[0095] In operations that take into account the output conditions according to this second example, if accounting identification information is detected a predetermined time after the stable weight value is detected, there is a possibility that the operation was not correctly reflected in the processing, so the previously temporarily stored stable weight value is treated as an error and the net weight is reset to "0." In the event of an error, weighing information with the accounting identification information set as an error code may be output to the information processing terminal 3, or a stable state flag indicating that the net weight is not linked to the accounting identification information may be set in the weighing information and the weighing information may be output to the information processing terminal 3.

[0096] On the other hand, if the weight value changes again before a predetermined time has elapsed after a stable weight value has been detected, a notification to that effect may be issued. In this case, it is likely that the user has performed an additional operation, scooping more items or returning scooped items to container 20, so the weight when the weight value finally stabilizes may be output as measurement information, or the earlier detected stable weight value and the later detected stable weight value may be output as separate measurement information. However, if the transaction identification information detected after the second weight change within the predetermined time differs from the previously detected transaction identification information, an error may be generated because it is unclear which transaction identification information the user operation relates to. Alternatively, the above-mentioned notification or a stable state flag indicating the same content as the above-mentioned notification may be output, and this may be confirmed on a downstream operating device such as the information processing terminal 3. When the information processing terminal 3 detects the transaction identification information, it displays a confirmation message according to the content of the notification. The operation may be cancelled immediately in response to the confirmation message.

[0097] Furthermore, in cases where weighing information indicating the detection of transaction identification information is output after a stable weight value is detected, and then weighing information for the same item identification information is output separately, if both the earlier and later weighing information are output while the transaction identification information is being detected, the earlier and later stable weight values ​​may be automatically summarized as a series of operations by a single user. However, if the net amount is a negative value, an error may be generated, and the operation may be permitted only if the net amount is a positive value, assuming that an item has been added. On the other hand, if transaction identification information was not detected when the earlier stable weight value was detected, and the transaction identification information is detected when a stable weight value is detected after a subsequent weight change, a confirmation screen may be displayed to confirm that the earlier and later stable weight values ​​are to be summarized. In other words, since there will be two pieces of data for the same item, if the user selects purchase rather than cancel on the confirmation screen for the earlier output weighing information, a summary confirmation screen may be displayed. Even if two operations are performed, processing may be performed for each operation without summarization, and the system user may operate according to their desired settings.

[0098] In a third example, if the weight of an item stabilizes after the previously detected transaction identification information becomes undetectable and there are no stable weight values ​​not previously linked to transaction identification information, and if it is within a predetermined time since the previously detected transaction identification information became undetectable, the now undetected transaction identification information is linked to the later detected stable weight value, and output as weighing information to the information processing terminal 3. In other words, according to this example, the weighing value output from the weighing device 2 to the information processing terminal 3 may be the weight value detected when the weight stabilizes within a predetermined time period after the transaction identification information detected by the identification information detection unit 201 becomes undetectable. The operation in this third example is also irregular and differs from the normal operation described above, but in actual operation, the weight value may not yet have stabilized when the identification information detection unit 201 stops detecting transaction identification information, and it may take some time for the weight to stabilize. Therefore, by providing a grace period for the weight to stabilize, which lasts a predetermined amount of time after a transaction identification information is no longer detected, errors caused by processing time lags or errors due to unfamiliar user operation can be prevented, and user inconvenience can be minimized. Since the operation according to this third example is also an irregular operation, it may be possible to distinguish this fact by using a stable state flag or the like.

[0099] In this third example, if a predetermined amount of time passes between the time the previously detected transaction identification information becomes undetectable and the time a stable weight value is detected, this indicates that transaction identification information exists that is not linked to a net weight. In this case, the net weight data can be discarded, or measurement information consisting of unusual measurement values, such as setting the item's weight values ​​to ALL9 or ALL0, can be generated to identify the error, or a stable state flag can be set to indicate this state. Furthermore, once the predetermined amount of time has passed, the member identification information is cleared.

[0100] It should be noted that the output conditions according to the first to third examples may be implemented using only one of the examples, or may be implemented by appropriately combining any output conditions.

[0101] In addition, in any of the above first to third examples, the weighing information may be temporarily stored in a state that allows it to be output to the information processing terminal 3, and the weighing information associated with the specified transaction identification information may be output to the information processing terminal 3 on the condition that a request to obtain weighing information associated with the specified transaction identification information is received from the information processing terminal 3. In this case, the information processing terminal 3 detects specified transaction identification information from the IC tag of the tray 63, for example, or, upon detecting the transaction identification information and receiving a settlement processing operation from the user, requests the weighing device 2 to obtain the weighing information associated with the specified transaction identification information.

[0102] Furthermore, the weighing value output from the weighing device 2 to the information processing terminal 3 may be the weighing value detected when weight stability is detected before another transaction identification information different from the one transaction identification information previously detected by the identification information detection unit 201 is detected. In other words, if another transaction identification information is detected after one transaction identification information has been detected, it will be impossible to determine which transaction identification information the stable weight value should be associated with. Therefore, the stable weight value is associated with that transaction identification information, and the weighing information is output to the information processing terminal 3. However, if a stable weight value could not be obtained when the other transaction identification information was detected, this may be output as an error to the information processing terminal 3. This prevents the operations of multiple users from being mixed together, resulting in the sale of inappropriate items.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing performed by the weighing device 2 involves detecting a change in the weight of an item on the weighing device 2's placement section 21a using the weight detection unit 202, detecting that the weight has stabilized, and then outputting the associated weighing information, including the item's item identification information, purchase weight, and transaction identification information, to the information processing terminal 3. However, after acquiring the transaction identification information, the weighing information may also be output to the information processing terminal 3 in response to pressing the operation complete button. In this case, even if the transaction identification information cannot be detected, the weighing information will not be output until the operation complete button is pressed. Therefore, even if the transaction identification information cannot be detected unintentionally after detecting the transaction identification information and acquiring a stable weight value, the customer can add more items to their purchase until the operation complete button is pressed, and the purchased weight of the items will be updated as more items are scooped up.

[0104] The user performs the same operation for each desired item on the weighing device 2 containing that item, and when the operation has been completed for all desired items, the operation on the weighing device 2 is finished. When the information processing terminal 3 receives weighing information consisting of item identification information, purchase weight, and transaction identification information from the weighing device 2, it associates these with each other and registers them in the weighing information storage unit 3B. At this time, if there is already information associated with the same transaction identification information, the newly received item's item identification information and purchase weight are associated with that same transaction identification information and registered. Furthermore, when the weighing device 2 outputs the weighing information to the information processing terminal 3, the initialization processing unit 204 initializes the sales weight. As a result, the display 23 returns to its original state (standby screen) and waits to accept the next transaction.

[0105] 10 shows the process flow when a user who has finished using the weighing devices 2 receives a transaction slip from the information processing terminal 3. After removing the desired items from each weighing device 2, the user moves to the location where the information processing terminal 3 is installed and places a tray 63 in front of the information processing terminal 3. In response, the transaction identification information of that tray 63 comes within the detection range of the tag reader 31, and the information processing terminal 3 detects the transaction identification information from the IC tag of the tray 63 using the identification information detection unit 301 (S201).

[0106] The calculation processing unit 302 references the item information storage unit 3A and the measurement information storage unit 3B to calculate a sales price based on the sales weight of the item associated with the transaction identification information (S202). That is, for each item, the sales price is calculated by multiplying the unit price by the sales weight, and the individual sales prices of all items are added together. Furthermore, consumption tax and other fees are calculated to arrive at the final sales price. The sales price for each item and the final sales price may be calculated in advance by the calculation processing unit 302 before acquiring the transaction identification information.

[0107] Once the sales price has been calculated, the display / operation control unit 303 displays a slip issuance screen on the touch panel 32 (S203). The slip issuance screen displays controls for accepting operations to issue accounting slips, and the user uses these controls to request the issuance of an accounting slip (S204).

[0108] In response to the user's request to issue a accounting voucher, the information processing terminal 3 generates print information related to the content to be printed on the accounting voucher using the print information generation unit 304 (S205). The issuance processing unit 306 then issues the accounting voucher based on the generated print information using the issuance unit 34 (S206). Regardless of the present embodiment, a accounting voucher can also be issued in response to the detection of transaction identification information, without the need for an operator operation.

[0109] After receiving the accounting slip, the user undergoes accounting processing based on the accounting slip at the POS terminal 5, thereby completing the purchase of the item.

[0110] To prevent customers from forgetting to take the accounting slip, a sensor may be attached to the information processing terminal 3 to alert them when the slip is left behind. Depending on the specifications or operation of the POS terminal 5, the accounting process for an item using a accounting slip can be carried out by a store clerk who receives the accounting slip from the customer, or by the customer themselves. Furthermore, if the information processing terminal 3 also receives the selling prices of items from the weighing device 2, it is not necessary for the information processing terminal 3 to recalculate the selling prices of individual items. As weighing information, the accounting identification information, the weight of the item, and the item identification information (item specification information) are essential, and although the selling price is not essential, as long as the data displayed on the weighing device 2 is correct, it is not necessary for the information processing terminal 3 to recalculate it. However, since there may be cases where the unit price information data held by the information processing terminal 3 and the weighing device 2 differ, even if the selling price has been calculated by the weighing device 2, the information processing terminal 3 may recalculate and perform a final check.

[0111] ●Example of screen and accounting slip In this embodiment, examples of screens displayed on the information processing terminal 3 and their transitions are shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11 shows the standby screen of the information processing terminal 3. The standby screen displays a message G11, "Please bring the tray closer to the reader," as a message for detecting transaction identification information from the tray 63. When the user follows this message and brings the tray 63 closer to the tag reader 31, the tag reader 31 detects the transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63 under the control of the identification information detection unit 301. Also displayed on the screen is an image encouraging the user to bring the information processing terminal 3 and the tray 63 closer together so that the guide mark 35 on the information processing terminal 3 faces the guide mark 51 on the tray 63, in accordance with the content of the message G11. Note that when transaction identification information is detected, a message such as "The tag has been read" may be displayed instead of the message G11, "Please bring the tray closer to the reader," to more clearly inform the user of the situation.

[0112] FIG. 12 shows the confirmation screen displayed when the information processing terminal 3 detects transaction identification information. The confirmation screen includes a weighing information display area G12 that displays information about items associated with the transaction identification information detected from the IC tag on the tray 63. The weighing information display area G12 lists information about each item associated with the transaction identification information and picked up by the user, including the item's name, unit price, sales weight, and sales price. It also displays the number of items and the total sales price for each item. This information (sales price and total) is extracted from the item information storage unit 3A and the weighing information storage unit 3B based on the transaction identification information, or calculated by the calculation processing unit 302 from the extracted information. Also, at the bottom of the screen is an operator G13 for requesting the issuance of an accounting slip. After checking the information in the measurement information display area G12, if the user is satisfied with the content, they can approve the content by pressing this operator G13 and receive the issuance of an accounting slip.

[0113] In addition, when displaying items in the measurement information display area G12, the items may be sorted in the order in which their item identification information was output. Also, in the example of Figure 12, pressing the operator G13 issues accounting vouchers for multiple items at once, but regardless of this, an operator may be provided to request the issuance of an accounting voucher for each item, so that an accounting voucher for each item can be issued. Furthermore, if there is data indicating an unspecified purchased item, a purchase confirmation screen may be displayed on this screen, and the added item may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from other items. For example, the display mode, such as the background color or text color, may be changed, or text or an icon indicating that the item is an added item may be displayed. Incidentally, if such information is also printed on the transaction slip, it is useful because it can prompt confirmation by a store clerk when the transaction is made at the POS terminal 5 or the like. Incidentally, such information may also be displayed on the screen of the POS terminal 5, or if the POS terminal 5 is a self-service POS, it may be set to call a store clerk. Incidentally, if the store clerk has already confirmed the purchase at the information processing terminal 3, a flag indicating confirmation may be set, and the display mode may not be changed.

[0114] In Figure 12, when operator G13 is pressed, the issuance processing unit 306 causes the issuance unit 34 to issue a accounting voucher. Figure 13 shows an example of the screen displayed when a accounting voucher has been issued in this way, displaying message G14 prompting the user to accept the accounting voucher and proceed to accounting. When the user accepts the accounting voucher ejected from the issuance port 34a, the screen of the information processing terminal 3 that detects this returns to the standby screen.

[0115] 14 shows examples of accounting slips issued by the information processing terminal 3. In each example, the name, unit price, sales weight, and sales price of each item that the user is purchasing are displayed. 14(a), information on all items to be purchased by the user is encoded and printed together in a barcode. By reading this barcode, the POS terminal 5 can obtain information on all items to be purchased by the user all at once. In Figure 14(b), information about each item purchased by the user is coded into a barcode and printed. The POS terminal 5 reads the barcode for each item and acquires the item information. In this example, because a barcode is generated for each item, it is easy to remove each item from the transaction (return processing). In Fig. 14(c), instead of the barcode in the example of Fig. 14(a), the information is coded as a two-dimensional code and printed. In the case of a two-dimensional code, the information for each item can be coded together, and after the information for all items is acquired by the POS terminal 5, corrections or cancellations can be made for each item on the POS terminal 5.

[0116] Alternatively, an accounting voucher may be issued that combines the accounting vouchers shown in Figure 14(a) and Figure 14(b). In this case, the accounting voucher portion shown in Figure 14(a) may be used for accounting, and the accounting voucher portion shown in Figure 14(b) may be used for returning items.

[0117] The weighing system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a system, device, and user with minimal processing and operational burdens from purchasing bulk merchandise to paying. In particular, the weighing system 1 determines each user's behavior based on the transaction identification information stored in the IC tag on the tray 63 and its detection status. It aggregates the measurement information provided to each user from multiple weighing devices 2 with different unit prices by associating it with a specific transaction identification information. This allows users to receive a single transaction slip without having to perform special operations for each item they purchase. This significantly reduces the user's operational burden, eliminating confusion about how to operate each weighing device 2 and the need to avoid purchasing the appropriate amount out of consideration for the next user. Furthermore, it reduces the time required for each user to shop, improving the efficiency of restaurant operations. Furthermore, the transaction process at the POS terminal 5 is simplified because it only requires obtaining information based on a single transaction slip. Furthermore, according to the weighing system 1, multiple users can simultaneously perform weighing operations without waiting for one user to receive an accounting slip.

[0118] Furthermore, the sales weight may be automatically initialized after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fact that it has been initialized may be sent to the information processing terminal 3 and stored as history information, or may be notified via the information processing terminal 3 to a terminal operated by a store clerk. This eliminates such erroneous operations from the transaction, and the weighing results associated with the store clerk code can also be managed for disposal management (yield management), making management more convenient. Furthermore, if the customer wishes to cancel after the weighing operation has been completed, the POS terminal 5 can be used to execute and manage the return processing of the declared items (total items) and weight (mass) if the customer notifies the store clerk.

[0119] Variation 1 In another example, the information processing terminal 3 may be omitted from the weighing system 1, and transaction processing may be performed by the POS terminal 5 by exchanging data between the weighing device 2, sales management device 4, and POS terminal 5, which are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0120] In this example, the sales management device 4 has at least the same functions as the functional units of the item information storage unit 3A, the weighing information storage unit 3B, the calculation processing unit 302, and the communication processing unit 305 of the information processing terminal 3 described above, and executes some of the processes executed by the information processing terminal 3. That is, the sales management device 4 receives the transaction identification information, item identification information, and the purchased weight of the item as weighing information from the weighing device 2 that has completed the weighing operation of the item, and stores this information in association with each other. Then, it provides this information to the POS terminal 5 in response to a request from the POS terminal 5. In this example, the weighing device 2 outputs the weighing information to the sales management device 4 instead of the information processing terminal 3.

[0121] The POS terminal 5 is also equipped with a tag reader or the like for detecting transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63. Based on the transaction identification information detected from the IC tag on the tray 63, the POS terminal 5 requests the sales management device 4 to obtain information associated with the transaction identification information, and then obtains this information. This allows the POS terminal 5 to execute the settlement process based on the information associated with the transaction identification information.

[0122] The calculation of the sales price based on the purchase weight and unit price of the item may be performed by the sales management device 4, and the POS terminal 5 may obtain the calculated sales price of the item and use this as the billing amount, or the POS terminal 5 may obtain the purchase weight and unit price information for each item from the sales management device 4 and calculate the sales price.

[0123] This allows a series of operations and processes to be completed simply by exchanging data, without issuing accounting slips, making for a paperless system. In addition, because the weighing information from the weighing device 2 is collected and managed by the sales management device 4, even after accounting has been completed, an image of the slip showing the purchase date, expiration date, etc. of the product can be viewed from a dedicated app, etc.

[0124] Variation 2 In the above-described weighing system 1 or weighing device 2, during normal operation, the weight detection unit 202 detects a weight change followed by a stable weight state, and when the identification information detection unit 201 is no longer able to detect the transaction identification information it had detected, weighing information is output from the weighing device 2 to the information processing terminal 3. However, the conditions that trigger the output of weighing information can also be configured as follows. In one example, the weighing system 1 or the weighing device 2 is provided with a sensor or CCD camera that senses the movement of the user or the tray 63 to detect the movement of the user. According to this example, the weight detection unit 202 detects a stable weight state after detecting a weight change, and can also output weighing information to the information processing terminal 3 when it detects that the user who was in front of the weighing device 2 or the tray 63 placed in front of the weighing device 2 has moved away from the weighing device 2, or when it becomes impossible to detect the user who was in front of the weighing device 2 or the tray 63 placed in front of the weighing device 2.

[0125] In addition, a CCD camera captures images of the actions of a user standing in front of the weighing device 2 and performs image recognition to recognize when the user scoops items from the container 20 or lifts or slides the tray 63. If it is determined that the user has finished picking up the items, this can be used as an opportunity to output weighing information to the information processing terminal 3.

[0126] In another example, a pressure sensor or the like is provided on the floor in front of the weighing device 2 to detect when a user stands in front of the weighing device 2 or when a user leaves the weighing device 2. This example makes it possible to determine whether the user has stood in front of the weighing device 2 and picked up an item, or whether the user has left the weighing device 2 and finished picking up the items. Then, together with the result of this determination, weighing information may be sent from the weighing device 2 to the information processing terminal 3 when the weight detection unit 202 detects a stable weight state after detecting a weight change.

[0127] In another example, a weight sensor that detects the weight of tray 63 is provided in tray space 62 in front of weighing device 2, and detects when tray 63 is placed in front of weighing device 2 or when tray 63 is moved. This example also makes it possible to determine whether a user has stood in front of weighing device 2 and scooped items onto a serving tray on tray 63, or whether they have left in front of weighing device 2 with tray 63 and finished removing the items. Then, together with this determination result, weighing information may be sent from weighing device 2 to information processing terminal 3 when weight detection unit 202 detects a stable weight state after detecting a weight change.

[0128] In these examples, similar to the present embodiment described above, the supply of goods from the time when transaction identification information is detected until the time when transaction identification information is no longer detected is treated as one transaction, with one transaction being considered to have begun when a user comes near the weighing device 2 and completed when the user leaves the weighing device 2. Similarly to the present embodiment described above, these examples also reduce the processing burden and operational burden on users from purchase to settlement when selling products sold by weight.

[0129] Other examples of configurations that can be applied to embodiments of the present invention In the above-described embodiment, the weighing device 2 may store only one transaction identification information currently being detected by the identification information detection unit 201 in its memory. In this case, while one transaction identification information is being detected, no other transaction identification information is detected, and the stable weight value is always associated with that transaction identification information and output to the information processing terminal 3. This prevents processing from becoming complicated and enables stable operation.

[0130] Furthermore, if a user places items onto a serving tray, moves away from the weighing device 2 so that the transaction identification information is no longer detected, and then performs another additional process, there will be a gap between weighing operations, which may result in multiple weighing information for the same item linked to one transaction identification information.Items added in one operation may be displayed separately on the screen of the information processing terminal 3 as separate weighing operations, or may be automatically combined into one data item if they are the same product.This makes it easier to understand the item details, for example, if one user purchases additional items at the request of another person.

[0131] In addition, when transaction identification information is detected, a lid equipped with a locking mechanism may be provided on the container 20 on the weighing device 2, and the locking mechanism may be released in response to the detection of transaction identification information, while if transaction identification information is not detected, the locking mechanism may be used to open the lid and prevent items from being taken out. Alternatively, the depth of tray space 62 on counter 6 may be designed to be approximately the same size as the depth of tray 63, allowing tray 63 to slide within a range that allows tag reader 22 on weighing device 2 to detect the transaction identification information of tray 63. Alternatively, a cutter mold conforming to the shape of tray 63 and a contact or non-contact sensor may be provided in front of weighing device 2, so that when tray 63 fits into the cutter mold, the sensor recognizes tray 63 and only when this state is reached is the operation to detect transaction identification information permitted to begin. By combining the above-mentioned lid locking mechanism and appropriate operation guidance, operational errors can be further effectively reduced.

[0132] Furthermore, the weighing device 2 may be connected to the information processing terminal 3, or the information processing terminal 3 may be integrated with the weighing device 2, to inspect the total weight of the items on the tray 63. That is, when a tag reader with its detection range within the loading section 21a of the weighing device 2 detects the transaction identification information of the tray 63, the weighing information linked to the transaction identification information is aggregated, the total weight of all the items is calculated, and inspection is performed based on the total weight. In this case, if the tray 63's own weight (tare weight) is stored in the IC tag and a tag is also attached to the container 20 for storing the container weight, the sum of these values ​​can be used as the tare weight, and the net weight of all items on the tray 63 can be calculated by subtracting the tare weight from the total weight including the tray 63 and container 20. This makes it possible to compare the net weight of all items on the tray 63 with the weight value of the items weighed by the weighing device 2, and if the difference is not within a specified range, this may be considered an abnormality and a store employee may be called. This ensures that the customer is provided with the amount of items that matches the weight value weighed by the weighing device 2.

[0133] Furthermore, a payment terminal or a change dispenser, which are devices for settlement, may be connected to the information processing terminal 3, allowing the user to settle the bill on the information processing terminal 3. This allows for a paperless system as no accounting slips are issued, and reduces the operational burden on the user as the operation of issuing accounting slips is no longer necessary. Furthermore, even if the POS terminal 5 is operating under a different system, sales registration and return (cancellation) processing can be smoothly performed on the information processing terminal 3. Furthermore, the information processing terminal 3 may output the information necessary for settlement to the higher-level sales management device 4 in response to the detection of the transaction identification information. In this way, if the POS terminal 5 is equipped with a means for detecting transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63, the POS terminal 5 can detect the specified transaction identification information, obtain the information necessary for settlement from the sales management device 4 based on the specified transaction identification information, and then execute the settlement process. This case, as with the above case, contributes to a paperless system and reduces the operational burden on users by not issuing transaction slips.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the user receives an accounting slip from the information processing terminal 3 and then undergoes settlement processing at the POS terminal 5. However, regardless of this, a higher-level sales management device 4 or the like may receive weighing information or settlement information based on the weighing information from the weighing device 2 or the information processing terminal 3, manage the information as accounts receivable data, and execute settlement processing separately. For example, the user's settlement amount may be totaled monthly and debited or billed from a pre-registered account. In this case, after completing operations on the weighing device 2, the information processing terminal 3 may accept user identification information that can identify the user by reading it from an IC tag or barcode as information to be associated with the accounting identification information, and register and output the user identification information in association with the accounts receivable data. User identification information may be, for example, the student ID number on a student ID card or the employee number on an employee ID card. Such user identification information may be read from a tag or barcode. Furthermore, if a company or other organization requires the input of an employee number (e.g., a department code) to link the employee number with the accounts receivable information, this information may also be read. This is convenient for users as they do not need to pay each time but can pay all at once, and it also prevents the cafeteria from becoming crowded due to payment processing.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tag reader 22 that detects transaction identification information from the IC tag on the tray 63 is provided integrally with the weighing device 2 itself (inside the housing), but it may also be provided in the tray space 62 of the counter 6 on which the tray 63 is placed. For example, the tag reader 22 may be embedded in the underside of the tray space 62 in front of each weighing device 2, or may be placed on the side of the tray space 62 in front of each weighing device 2, and the tag reader 22 may then be connected to the weighing device 2 wirelessly or via a wire, so that the weighing device 2 can receive the transaction identification information from the tag reader 22. Similarly, the tag reader 31 for the information processing terminal 3 may also be provided in the tray space 62 of the counter 6.

[0136] In addition, in the above embodiment, the functional units can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing contradictions, and the functional units can be provided in terminals or devices different from those in this example. Furthermore, the order of processing executed by the functional units can also be changed within the scope of not causing contradictions.

[0137] ● Overview of implementation The present invention relates to a weighing device, a weighing system, and a computer program for selling items by weight.

[0138] Selling by weight is becoming more common in school cafeterias and buffet-style cafeterias. For example, Utility Model Registration No. 2605361 discloses a cafeteria payment device that is used in self-service employee cafeterias and performs payment using IC tags.

[0139] However, the restaurant payment device described in Patent Document 1 is designed for fixed-price items and is not suitable for items sold by weight. For example, when selling items by weight, it is necessary to obtain weighing data for each item, which requires a large amount of data to be handled. If this were to be achieved with the restaurant payment device, it would require many write operations to the IC tag. This would result in damage to the IC tag or writing errors. Furthermore, there was no way to check whether the weighing data had been written to the IC tag, which was inconvenient.

[0140] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system, an apparatus, and furthermore, an apparatus or system that reduces the processing and operational burden on users from purchasing bulk merchandise to paying for it.

[0141] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a weighing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a weighing system comprising a plurality of weighing devices and an information processing terminal, wherein the weighing devices comprise a detection means for detecting first identification information, a weighing means for weighing the weight of an item, and an output means for outputting a measurement value measured by the weighing means when one of the first identification information detected by the detection means becomes undetectable, and the information processing terminal comprises an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement value output by the output means.

[0142] The items handled by the multiple weighing devices or each weighing device may be identified by second identification information, the output means may output the first identification information and the second identification information in association with the weighing value, and the acquisition means may acquire the weighing value output by the output means and the second identification information associated with the weighing value.

[0143] The weight value may be a weight value when the detection means detects that the weight has stabilized during the period from when the detection means detects the one piece of first identification information until when the detection means no longer detects it.

[0144] The weighing value may be a weight value when the weight is detected to be stable within a predetermined time period after the detection means has stopped detecting the one first identification information.

[0145] The weighing value may be a weight value when the weight is detected to be stable until a first identification information different from the one first identification information detected by the detection means is detected.

[0146] A computer program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program executed in a weighing system having a plurality of weighing devices and an information processing terminal, and causes the weighing system to perform a detection process for detecting first identification information, a weighing process for weighing the weight of an item, and an output process for outputting a measurement value measured in the weighing process when one of the first identification information items detected in the detection process can no longer be detected, and causes the information processing terminal to perform an acquisition process for acquiring the measurement value output in the output process.

[0147] A weighing system according to another aspect of the present invention is a weighing system that sells items by weight by moving trays and dispensing items placed on multiple weighing devices into containers on the trays, and is characterized in that the weighing system is composed of the weighing devices and an information processing terminal, the trays are provided with first identification information, the weighing devices are equipped with identification information detection means for detecting the first identification information, weighing means for weighing the items, and output means for outputting, when the weight value of the item weighed by the weighing means becomes stable, the stable weight value and the first identification information detected by the identification information detection means, and the information processing terminal is equipped with acquisition means for acquiring the weight value output by the output means.

[0148] A computer program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program executed in a weighing system that moves trays to dispense items placed on multiple weighing devices into containers on the trays and sells the items by weight, the program being composed of the weighing devices and an information processing terminal, the trays being provided with the first identification information, and causing the weighing devices to perform an identification information detection process to detect the first identification information, a weighing process to weigh the items, and an output process to output, when the weight value of the items weighed by the weighing process has stabilized, the stabilized weight value and the first identification information detected by the identification information detection process, and causing the information processing terminal to perform an acquisition process to acquire the weight value output by the output process.

[0149] A weighing device according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a detection means for detecting predetermined identification information, a weighing means for measuring the weight of an item, and an output means for outputting the weighed value measured by the weighing means when the predetermined identification information detected by the detection means can no longer be detected.

[0150] A computer program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute a detection process for detecting predetermined identification information, a weighing process for weighing an item, and an output process for outputting the weight value measured in the weighing process when the predetermined identification information detected in the detection process can no longer be detected.

[0151] <Additional Notes> A weighing device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a weighing means for weighing an item, a storage means for storing item identification information, a transaction identification information detection means for detecting transaction identification information, and a stable weight value acquisition means for acquiring a stable weight value that is the purchase weight of the item weighed by the weighing means. When the transaction identification information detection means has not detected transaction identification information and the stable weight value acquisition means has acquired a stable weight value, the next transaction identification information detected by the transaction identification information detection means, the stable weight value already acquired by the stable weight value acquisition means, and the stable weight value stored in the storage means are used. and generate weighing information by associating the stable weight value acquired next by the stable weight value acquisition means with the item identification information already detected by the transaction identification information detection means, and if transaction identification information is detected by the transaction identification information detection means and a stable weight value is not acquired by the stable weight value acquisition means, generate weighing information by associating the stable weight value acquired next by the stable weight value acquisition means with the transaction identification information already detected by the transaction identification information detection means and the item identification information stored in the storage means, and output the weighing information when the transaction identification information included in the weighing information is no longer detected by the transaction identification information detection means. In this example, the weighing information is output in at least the following two ways. That is, in one way, if the weighing device does not detect transaction identification information but acquires a stable weight value, it outputs the weighing information immediately after that, when the transaction identification information is detected and the transaction identification information cannot be detected again. In another way, if the weighing device detects transaction identification information but does not acquire a stable weight value, it outputs the weighing information immediately after that, when the stable weight value is acquired and the transaction identification information cannot be detected again. These weighing information output ways reflect the user's behavior of coming to the weighing device, dispensing items, and then leaving the weighing device. This allows the user who dispensed the items to be appropriately linked to the dispensed items (purchased items) and output, regardless of the timing of the transaction identification information and stable weight value detection or acquisition.

[0152] In addition, the computer program that causes the weighing device and the weighing system to perform specified processing can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM.

[0153] The weighing device and weighing system according to the present embodiment reduce the processing and operational burden on the system, the device, and even the user from purchasing merchandise sold by weight to paying for it. Furthermore, because the weighing information from multiple weighing devices with different unit price settings can be correlated and consolidated for each transaction, users can easily perform operations such as weighing items without feeling rushed, and the efficiency of cafeteria operations is improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1: Weighing system 2: Weighing device 2A: Identification information storage unit 2B: Unit price information storage section 3: Information processing terminal 3A: Article information storage section 3B: Weighing information storage section 21: Measuring part 22: Tag Reader 23: Display 24: Communications Department 201: Identification information detection unit 202: Weight detection unit 203: Calculation processing unit 204: Initialization processing section 205: Unit price acquisition processing section 206: Display control section 207: Communication processing unit 31: Tag Reader 32: Touch Panel 33: Communications Department 34: Publishing Department 301: Identification information detector 302: Calculation processing unit 303: Operation control section 304: Print information generation section 305: Communication processing unit 306: Issuance processing unit 4: Sales management device 5: POS terminal 63: Tray

Claims

1. A weighing system comprising a plurality of weighing devices and an information processing terminal, The metering device is a detection means for detecting first identification information; a weighing means for measuring the weight of an article; an output means for outputting a measurement value measured by the measuring means when one of the first identification information items that has been detected by the detecting means becomes undetectable, The information processing terminal an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement value output by the output means; A weighing system characterized by:

2. The articles handled by the plurality of weighing devices or each weighing device are identified by second identification information; the output means outputs the first identification information and the second identification information in association with the measurement value; the acquisition means acquires the measurement value output by the output means and the second identification information associated with the measurement value. The weighing system of claim 1 .

3. The weight value is a weight value when the detection means detects that the weight is stable during the period from when the detection means detects the one of the first identification information pieces until when the detection means no longer detects the one of the first identification information pieces.

3. A weighing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The weight value is a weight value when a stability of the weight is detected during a predetermined time period from when the one of the first identification information items detected by the detection means is no longer detected.

3. A weighing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The measurement value is a weight value when a stability of weight is detected until a first identification information different from the one first identification information detected by the detection means is detected.

3. A weighing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A program executed in a weighing system including a plurality of weighing devices and an information processing terminal, For the weighing system, a detection process for detecting first identification information; a weighing process for weighing the item; an output process for outputting a weight value measured in the weighing process when one of the first identification information items that has been detected in the detection process becomes undetectable; to the information processing terminal, an acquisition process for acquiring the measurement value output in the output process; Computer program.

7. A weighing system that sells items by weight by distributing items placed on a plurality of weighing devices into containers on a tray while moving the tray, The measuring device and an information processing terminal are configured, The tray is provided with first identification information; The metering device is an identification information detection means for detecting the first identification information; a weighing means for measuring the weight of an article; an output means for outputting, when a weight value of the item measured by the weighing means is stabilized, the stabilized weight value and the first identification information detected by the identification information detection means; The information processing terminal an acquisition means for acquiring the weight value output by the output means, A weighing system characterized by:

8. A program executed in a weighing system that moves a tray and dispenses items placed on a plurality of weighing devices into containers on the tray to sell the items by weight, comprising: The measuring device and an information processing terminal are configured, The tray is provided with the first identification information, For the metering device, an identification information detection process for detecting first identification information; a weighing process for weighing the item; an output process for outputting, when a weight value of the item weighed by the weighing process has stabilized, the stabilized weight value and the first identification information detected by the identification information detection process; to the information processing terminal, executes an acquisition process for acquiring the weight value output by the output process; Computer program.

9. a detection means for detecting predetermined identification information; a weighing means for measuring the weight of an article; and an output means for outputting a measurement value measured by the measuring means when the predetermined identification information that has been detected by the detecting means becomes undetectable. A weighing device characterized by:

10. For computers, a detection process for detecting predetermined identification information; a weighing process for weighing the item; and executing an output process for outputting a weight value measured in the weighing process when the predetermined identification information that was detected in the detection process becomes undetectable. Computer program.

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