Commodity information reading apparatus for shopping cart

Abstract

To provide a commodity information reading device for a shopping cart which is simple in structure and low in power consumption.SOLUTION: The cart terminal (commodity information reading device for shopping cart) includes a hand scanner installed on the shopping cart and a scanner holder installed on a handle of the shopping cart. The hand scanner reads a barcode (code symbol) in which identification information for specifying a commodity is registered. The scanner holder holds the reading part of the hand scanner so as to be changeable to either a first position for holding the reading part downward to the shopping cart or a second position for holding the reading part forward to the traveling direction of the shopping cart. The hand scanner reads the barcode held over the reading unit when held in the first position, reads the barcode held over the reading unit when removed from the scanner holder, and does not read the barcode when held in the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product information reading device for a shopping cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, shopping carts have been proposed that are equipped with a product registration device, allowing customers to register the products they wish to purchase while shopping in a store. Such shopping carts use a fixed scanner and a hand scanner equipped on the cart to read the product codes of the products that customers wish to purchase (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] These shopping carts have the problem of being complex and expensive because they are equipped with two types of scanners, and also have the problem of the high power consumption of the shopping carts, which limits the operating time of battery-operated shopping carts. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product information reader for a shopping cart that has a simple structure and consumes little power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A product information reading device for a shopping cart according to an embodiment includes a hand scanner mounted on the shopping cart and a scanner holder mounted on the handle of the shopping cart. The hand scanner reads code symbols attached to products, which contain identification information that uniquely identifies the products. The scanner holder holds the reading unit of the hand scanner, which reads the code symbols, in a position that can be changed between a first position in which the reading unit is held facing downward toward the shopping cart, and a second position in which the reading unit is held facing forward toward the direction of travel of the shopping cart. When the hand scanner is held in the first position, it reads the code symbol held over the reading unit. When the hand scanner is removed from the scanner holder, it reads the code symbol held over the reading unit. When held in the second position, it does not read the code symbol. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a shopping cart. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the cart terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the hand scanner is installed at the first position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an example of the state in which the hand scanner is installed in the first position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the hand scanner is set at the second position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the scanner holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a mounting structure for a scanner holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] A cart terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Shopping cart outline) The schematic configuration of a shopping cart 1 equipped with a cart terminal 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an external view showing an example of a shopping cart.

[0010] The shopping cart 1 is pushed by a customer around a store and stores products that the customer wishes to purchase. The shopping cart 1 includes a cart terminal 10.

[0011] The cart terminal 10 uses its own hand scanner 23 to read a code symbol (e.g., a barcode) attached to a product that the customer wishes to purchase, in which identification information (e.g., a product code) that uniquely identifies the product is registered. The cart terminal 10 performs a product registration process to register the product by comparing the read identification information with the product master 122 (see FIG. 3) stored in the cart terminal 10. After the customer has finished shopping, they go to a cash register (not shown) and have the cash register perform payment processing for the registered product. The shopping cart 1 itself may also have a function to perform payment processing. The cart terminal 10 is an example of a shopping cart product information reading device in this disclosure.

[0012] For convenience, an XYZ coordinate system including an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is defined in this specification. The XYZ coordinate system is established for the shopping cart 1. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The X-axis is established along the front-to-rear direction of the shopping cart 1. The Y-axis is established along the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the shopping cart 1. The Z-axis is established along the height direction (up-down direction) of the shopping cart 1.

[0013] Furthermore, in this specification, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are defined. The X direction is a direction along the X axis, and includes the +X direction indicated by the X axis arrow and the -X direction opposite to the X axis arrow. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis, and includes the +Y direction indicated by the Y axis arrow and the -Y direction opposite to the Y axis arrow. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis, and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the -Z direction opposite to the Z axis arrow.

[0014] The shopping cart 1 includes a frame 50, a pair of front wheels 61, and a pair of rear wheels 62. The frame 50 has a pair of left and right bottom frames 51, a pair of left and right lower frames 52, and an upper frame 53. The pair of left and right bottom frames 51, the pair of left and right lower frames 52, and the upper frame 53 are connected to one another.

[0015] The distance between the pair of front wheels 61 is narrower than the distance between the pair of rear wheels 62. The front wheels 61 and rear wheels 62 are installed with a gap between them in the fore-and-aft direction (X direction) of the shopping cart 1. The front wheels 61 and rear wheels 62 are attached to the bottom frame 51 by attachment members (not shown). The front wheels 61 and rear wheels 62 can turn left and right around the axis of their attachment positions to the bottom frame 51. Therefore, the direction of travel of the shopping cart 1 can be changed left and right depending on the force applied to the handle 63 that connects the pair of lower frames 52 installed above the shopping cart 1. In other words, the shopping cart 1 is directional. A customer holds the handle 63 and pushes the shopping cart 1 while changing the direction of the shopping cart 1 left and right.

[0016] An upper basket support frame 54 is attached between the pair of lower frames 52. A shopping basket containing products that a customer wishes to purchase is placed on the upper basket support frame 54.

[0017] A lower basket support frame 55 is attached between the pair of lower frames 52. A shopping basket containing products that a customer wishes to purchase is placed on the lower basket support frame 55.

[0018] A battery 24 is attached between the pair of bottom frames 51. The battery 24 supplies power to the cart terminal 10. The battery 24 also has a built-in charging circuit, and the battery 24 is charged by this charging circuit.

[0019] The cart terminal 10 includes a display device 21, an operation device 22, and a hand scanner 23.

[0020] The display device 21 is disposed at the upper end of the upper frame 53 and displays various information related to product registration. The display device 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor.

[0021] The operation device 22 detects customer operations on various buttons displayed on the operation device 22. The operation device 22 is, for example, a touch panel stacked on the operation device 22.

[0022] Hand scanner 23 reads a code symbol (e.g., a barcode) attached to a product to obtain product identification information (e.g., a product code). Hand scanner 23 has a reading unit 231 at its tip that emits reading light for reading the code symbol. Hand scanner 23 is detachably held in scanner holder 30 fixed to handle 63 of shopping cart 1. Hand scanner 23 is connected to cart terminal 10 by, for example, a flexible curl cord.

[0023] More specifically, the scanner holder 30 holds the hand scanner 23 in a position that can be changed between a first position (see Figures 3 and 4) in which the reading unit 231 is held facing downward (-Z direction) relative to the shopping cart 1, and a second position (see Figure 5) in which the reading unit 231 is held facing forward (+X direction) relative to the direction of travel of the shopping cart 1.

[0024] When purchasing a heavy or large item for which it is difficult to hold the code symbol over the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23 held in the scanner holder 30, the customer removes the hand scanner 23 from the scanner holder 30 and reads the product code by holding the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23 over the code symbol attached to the product.

[0025] (Cart terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the cart terminal 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the cart terminal of the embodiment.

[0026] The cart terminal 10 has a configuration in which a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a peripheral device controller 14, and a communication controller 15 are interconnected by an internal bus 13.

[0027] The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the cart terminal 10. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. The CPU 111 is connected to the ROM 112 and the RAM 113 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 111 loads various programs stored in the ROM 112 and the memory unit 12 into the RAM 113. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the cart terminal 10 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 113. In other words, the control unit 11 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0028] The memory unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory unit 12 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 12 stores a control program 121, a product master 122, and a product registration file 123.

[0029] The control program 121 is a program that controls the overall operation of the cart terminal 10. The control program 121 may be provided in a state stored in the memory unit 12, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 121 may also be stored on a computer connected to a network and provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 121 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0030] The product master 122 is a master file that stores product information such as product names and prices of products for sale. The product master 122 stores product names, unit prices, additional information, and the like, in association with product codes that uniquely identify products. Note that the contents of the product master are updated as needed, so the cart terminal 10 constantly updates the contents of the product master 122 to the latest state by, for example, acquiring the latest product master from a store server (not shown) via the communication controller 15.

[0031] The product registration file 123 is a file that stores registered product information (for example, product name, quantity, unit price, etc.) and the total purchase amount in association with a transaction code that identifies one transaction.

[0032] The control unit 11 is connected to various input / output devices, namely, a display device 21, an operation device 22, a hand scanner 23, and a battery 24, via a peripheral device controller 14. The outline of each of the input / output devices has been described above, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0033] (Hand scanner holding state (first position)) The state in which hand scanner 23 is held in the first position will be described in detail using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the state in which the hand scanner is set in the first position. Figure 4 is a side view showing an example of the state in which the hand scanner is set in the first position.

[0034] 3 and 4 show a state in which the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23 is held facing downward (-Z direction). The scanner holder 30 has a hole 31 formed in the portion where the reading unit 231 is located. The hole 31 allows the reading light 232 (for example, a red slit light) output by the hand scanner 23 to read a code symbol to pass through.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, a space S for inserting the product M is formed below the hole 31 (in the −Z direction). As shown in FIG. 3, the customer inserts the product M into the space S and holds the barcode 100 attached to the product M over the reading light 232. This causes the barcode 100 attached to the product M to be read by the hand scanner 23. At this time, the customer does not need to hold the hand scanner 23, and can hold the product M with both hands. Therefore, for example, even if the product M is in a bag and the barcode 100 attached to the surface of the bag is wrinkled, the customer can hold the product M with both hands and hold it over the hand scanner 23 with the wrinkles in the barcode 100 smoothed out.

[0036] Reading light 232 is emitted from reading unit 231 of hand scanner 23, and when a product is inserted below hole 31, reading light 232 is reflected on the surface of product M, as shown in FIG. 3. The customer adjusts the position of product M so that reading light 232 crosses barcode 100 attached to product M. When reading light 232 crosses barcode 100, hand scanner 23 reads barcode 100. The reading result of barcode 100 is displayed on display device 21 as, for example, the product name and unit price.

[0037] (Hand scanner holding state (second position)) The state in which hand scanner 23 is held at the second position will be described in detail with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the state in which the hand scanner is set at the second position.

[0038] 5 shows a state in which the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23 is held facing forward (+X direction). The front end of the scanner holder 30 is bent in the +Z direction to form a shielding portion 32 that blocks the reading light 232 emitted from the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23. In other words, the shielding portion 32 is formed so as to face the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23.

[0039] Reading light 232 is constantly emitted from reading unit 231 of hand scanner 23. Therefore, if hand scanner 23 is placed carelessly, there is a risk that barcode 100 will be read and the barcode 100 of a commodity stored in upper basket support frame 54 will be read again. Therefore, when hand scanner 23 is held in the second position, reading light 232 from reading unit 231 is blocked by shielding unit 32, thereby preventing unintentional reading of barcode 100.

[0040] Although not shown, hand scanner 23 can also read barcode 100 when removed from scanner holder 30. When registering a heavy or large item for which it is difficult to hold product M over space S (see FIG. 4) described above, hand scanner 23 is removed from scanner holder 30 to read barcode 100.

[0041] (Scanner holder shape) The shape of the scanner holder 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the scanner holder.

[0042] The scanner holder 30 has a pair of holding parts 33 on the upper side (+Z direction) that hold the housing of the hand scanner 23 when the hand scanner 23 is held in the first position or the second position.

[0043] When holding hand scanner 23 in the first position, the customer inserts the housing of hand scanner 23 between the pair of holders 33 in the direction of arrow Aa, starting from the curl cord side.

[0044] When holding hand scanner 23 in the second position, the customer inserts the housing of hand scanner 23 between the pair of holders 33 in the direction of arrow Ab, starting from the curl cord side.

[0045] The pair of holding portions 33 may be made elastic, and the housing of the hand scanner 23 may be inserted between the pair of holding portions 33 from above to be held.

[0046] (Scanner holder mounting structure) The mounting structure of the scanner holder 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the mounting structure of the scanner holder.

[0047] A mounting member 34 having a semicircular cross section is provided on the rear surface of the scanner holder 30. A rubber sheet 36 is attached to the semicircular portion of the mounting member 34.

[0048] Mounting member 35 is screwed to mounting member 34 from the opposite side of handle 63 of shopping cart 1. Mounting member 35 is formed so that its cross section is semicircular, and a rubber sheet 37 is attached to the semicircular portion. Mounting members 34 and 35 are fastened together with screws 38 and 39, with handle 63 of shopping cart 1 sandwiched between rubber sheets 36 and 37 on both sides.

[0049] Because the rubber sheets 36 and 37 have a non-slip effect, by fixing the scanner holder 30 to the handle 63 with the rubber sheets 36 and 37 sandwiched between them, it is possible to prevent the scanner holder 30 from accidentally rotating around the handle 63. This makes it possible to prevent the direction of the reading unit 231 from accidentally changing. Furthermore, by sandwiching the rubber sheets 36 and 37 between the handle 63, it is possible to prevent the handle 63 from being scratched. The rubber sheets 36 and 37 may be wrapped around the handle 63. Alternatively, another member having a non-slip effect may be sandwiched between the rubber sheets 36 and 37.

[0050] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the cart terminal 10 (product information reading device for shopping carts) of the embodiment comprises a hand scanner 23 that is installed in the shopping cart 1 and reads a barcode 100 (code symbol) attached to a product M and registered with identification information that uniquely identifies the product M, and a scanner holder 30 installed on the handle 63 of the shopping cart 1 that holds the reading unit 231 of the hand scanner 23 that reads the barcode 100 in a changeable position between a first position in which the reading unit 231 is held facing downward relative to the shopping cart 1, and a second position in which the reading unit 231 is held facing forward relative to the direction of travel of the shopping cart 1. When the hand scanner 23 is held in the first position, it reads the barcode 100 held over the reading unit 231, and when it is removed from the scanner holder 30, it reads the barcode 100 held over the reading unit 231, and when it is held in the second position, it does not read the barcode 100. Therefore, a well-known hand scanner can be used as a fixed scanner, simplifying the device structure. Furthermore, since a fixed scanner is no longer necessary, a product information reader for a shopping cart with low power consumption can be provided.

[0051] Furthermore, in the cart terminal 10 (product information reading device for shopping cart) of the embodiment, the scanner holder 30 has a shielding portion 32 in front of the reading portion 231 that blocks reading light 232 emitted when the reading portion 231 reads the barcode 100 when the hand scanner 23 is held in the second position. Therefore, when the hand scanner 23 is not in use, it is possible to prevent the barcode 100 from being read accidentally.

[0052] Furthermore, in the cart terminal 10 (product information reading device for shopping cart) of the embodiment, the scanner holder 30 has a hole 31 in front of the reading unit 231 that passes the reading light 232 output by the reading unit 231 when the hand scanner 23 is held in the first position, and the reading light 232 passes through the hole 31 and is irradiated onto the product M when the hand scanner 23 is held in the first position, so that the barcode 100 of the product M can be read reliably.

[0053] Furthermore, in the cart terminal 10 (product information reader for shopping cart) of the embodiment, the scanner holder 30 includes a pair of holding portions 33 that hold the housing of the hand scanner 23 when the hand scanner 23 is held in the first position or the second position. Therefore, the hand scanner 23 can be held securely.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Shopping Cart 10 Cart terminal (product information reader for shopping cart) 23 Hand Scanner 231 Reading unit 232 Reading light 24 Battery 30 Scanner holder 31 Hole 32 Shielding part 33 Holding part 34,35 Mounting member 36,37 Rubber sheet 38,39 Screws 50 frames 51 Bottom frame 52 Lower frame 53 Upper frame 54 Upper basket support frame 55 Lower basket support frame 61 Front wheel 62 rear wheel 63 Handle 100 Barcodes (Code Symbols) 121 Control Program 122 Product Master 123 Product Registration File M product S Space [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0056] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-184141

Claims

1. a hand scanner that is installed in the shopping cart and that reads a code symbol attached to each product and that has registered therein identification information that uniquely identifies the product; a scanner holder attached to a handle of the shopping cart, which holds a reading unit of a hand scanner that reads the code symbol in a changeable position between a first position in which the reading unit is held facing downward toward the shopping cart, and a second position in which the reading unit is held facing forward toward the direction of travel of the shopping cart; When the hand scanner is held in the first position, the hand scanner reads the code symbol held over the reading unit, When the hand scanner is removed from the scanner holder, the hand scanner reads the code symbol held over the reading unit; the hand scanner does not read the code symbol when held in the second position; Product information reader for shopping carts.

2. The scanner holder includes: a shielding portion provided in front of the reading portion for shielding the reading light outputted by the reading portion when the hand scanner is held in the second position, 2. The product information reader for a shopping cart according to claim 1.

3. The scanner holder includes: a hole provided on a front surface of the reading unit for passing reading light outputted by the reading unit when the hand scanner is held at the first position to read the code symbol; 2. The product information reader for a shopping cart according to claim 1.

4. the scanner holder includes a pair of holding portions that hold a housing of the hand scanner when the hand scanner is held in the first position or the second position; The product information reader for a shopping cart according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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