Product registration device and product management system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a product registration device and product management system that can reduce errors in reading codes containing product information. [Solution] The product registration device of the present invention comprises an input unit, a code generation unit, and a printing unit. The input unit inputs product information. The code generation unit generates a code. The code includes the product information input by the input unit. The printing unit prints the code on paper. When printing multiple codes on separate lines, the printing unit prints the codes on adjacent lines at positions offset from each other in the first direction of the line's extension.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product registration device and a product management system.

Background Art

[0002] In large-scale stores, department stores, etc., chain stores that sell products such as meat and vegetables by weighing may tenant and open stores. In such chain stores, products are weighed in front of customers by a weighing device with a product registration function, and further, the product registration process may be performed by the weighing device.

[0003] In such a sales method, usually, each chain store communicates and connects with the chain headquarters on top of a showcase in the sales floor and installs a plurality of weighing devices capable of performing product registration. Then, when an operator is informed of the product that a customer wants to purchase, the operator weighs it with the nearest weighing device on the showcase, performs product registration for sales, etc., and receives payment from the customer. Thereby, the chain headquarters can manage the sales of each chain headquarters in real time and make a sales plan.

[0004] In department stores, etc., the tenant fee may be determined according to the sales of each tenant. Therefore, each tenant also registers product information with the POS terminal installed and managed by the department store, etc.

[0005] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-33406) describes a product registration device having a printing unit that prints product information on paper.

[0006] Product information may be printed by a code such as a QR code (registered trademark; the same shall apply hereinafter).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] When printing a plurality of codes, there is a possibility of a reading error when reading the codes.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a product registration device and a product management system that can reduce errors in reading codes containing product information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The product registration device of the first perspective comprises an input unit, a code generation unit, and a printing unit. The input unit receives product information. The code generation unit generates a code, which includes the product information entered by the input unit. The printing unit prints the code on paper. When printing multiple codes on separate lines, the printing unit prints the codes on adjacent lines at positions offset from each other in the first direction of the line's extension.

[0010] This product registration device can reduce errors in reading codes containing product information.

[0011] The product registration device from the second perspective is the product registration device from the first perspective, and the code generation unit assigns number information to the code. The number information indicates the order of the codes. The printing unit further prints the number information corresponding to each code when printing the codes.

[0012] The third-party product registration device is a first-party or second-party product registration device, in which the code generation unit distributes the amount of product information and generates codes of equivalent size.

[0013] The fourth-level product registration device is a product registration device according to any of the first to third levels, and the code generation unit adds dummy data to the product information to generate a code of equivalent size.

[0014] The fifth-perspective product registration device is a product registration device according to any of the first to fourth perspectives, wherein, in the first direction, adjacent codes are spaced at least one code's width apart.

[0015] The product registration device of the sixth perspective is a product registration device of any of the first to fifth perspectives, In the first direction, adjacent codes are positioned further apart than the spacing between codes in the row direction.

[0016] The seventh aspect of the product management system comprises a product registration device according to one of the first to sixth aspects, and a POS terminal. The POS terminal has a display unit and a reader. The display unit displays product information. The reader reads codes. Based on the total number of codes and the number information read by the reader, the display unit displays the number information corresponding to the codes that have not been read. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] This invention can reduce errors in reading codes containing product information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a product management system 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of a product management system 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an example of a receipt paper 30 printed by the weighing device 10. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the display unit 23 of the POS terminal 20. [Figure 5] This is an example of a conventional receipt form 30. [Figure 6] This is an example of a conventional receipt form 30. [Figure 7] This is an example of a conventional receipt form 30. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. In the following description, expressions such as "the same" may be used, and these include not only cases where they are exactly the same, but also cases where they are substantially the same.

[0020] (1) Overall Structure As shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise management system 100 is composed of a weighing device 10 and a POS terminal 20. The weighing device 10 is unified by the chain head office in chain stores across the country. The POS terminal 20 is lent by tenant owners such as department stores to each tenant.

[0021] (2) Detailed Structure (2-1) Weighing Device 10 The weighing device 10 is placed on top of a showcase in a vegetable store or the like and is used when selling by weight face-to-face with customers. Of course, the weighing device 10 is not limited to vegetable stores and is widely used for weighing and selling meat, fish, coffee beans, etc. in supermarkets and the like.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing device 10 has a main body casing 11, a weighing unit 12, an input unit 13, a control unit 14, and a printing unit 15.

[0023] The weighing unit 12 is arranged on the upper surface of the main body casing 11.

[0024] The input unit 13 is provided on the front surface of the main body casing 11. The input unit 13 inputs merchandise information 40. The merchandise information 40 is, for example, store classification, merchandise number, merchandise name, discount rate, etc.

[0025] The control unit 14 is arranged inside the main body casing 11 or the input unit 13. In this embodiment, the control unit 14 is arranged inside the input unit 13 and is connected so as to be able to transmit and receive signals with the weighing unit 12, the input unit 13, and the printing unit 15. The control unit 14 is realized by a computer.

[0026] The control unit 14 has a control arithmetic unit, a storage unit 16, and a code generation unit 19.

[0027] The control arithmetic unit can use a processor such as a CPU or GPU. The control arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the memory unit 16 and performs predetermined arithmetic processing according to this program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic unit can write the calculation results to the memory unit 16 or read information stored in the memory unit 16 according to the program.

[0028] The memory unit 16 stores product information 40.

[0029] The code generation unit 19 generates a QR code 50 containing the product information 40 entered by the input unit 13. The type of code is not particularly limited, but the code is, for example, a two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, the code is a QR code 50. The size of the QR code 50 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 3 cm x 3 cm.

[0030] The code generation unit 19 assigns a code number 51 to each QR code 50, indicating its order. The code number 51 is assigned in a specific sequence to each of the multiple QR codes 50 printed on a single receipt sheet 30.

[0031] The size of receipt paper 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 6 cm wide.

[0032] The code generation unit 19 distributes the amount of product information 40 contained in each QR code 50 to generate QR codes 50 of equivalent size. The size of each QR code 50 is determined according to the amount of product information 40 it contains. By making the amount of product information 40 contained in each QR code 50 roughly the same, multiple QR codes 50 can be made to be of equivalent size.

[0033] For example, consider the case where 52 pieces of data are printed on a receipt sheet 30 in an environment where a single QR code 50 can contain up to 25 pieces of data. As shown in Figure 3, this weighing device 10 includes, for example, 18 pieces of data in the first QR code 52, 17 pieces of data in the second QR code 53, and 17 pieces of data in the third QR code 54. This makes the size of multiple QR codes 50 equivalent.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the printing unit 15 is located to the right of the main casing 11 when viewed from the front of the input unit 13. The printing unit 15 is provided with an outlet 15a from which printed receipt paper 30 is discharged. The receipt paper 30 is stored inside the outlet 15a. The receipt paper 30 is transported along a transport path, printed on by the thermal head, and then discharged from the outlet 15a.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the printing unit 15 prints the QR code 50 onto the receipt paper 30. The number of QR codes printed on one sheet of receipt paper 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, there may be eight.

[0036] The printing unit 15 further prints a code number 51 corresponding to each QR code 50 when printing the QR code 50. For example, the number "1" is printed for the first QR code 52, the number "2" for the second QR code 53, and the number "3" for the third QR code 54.

[0037] The printing unit 15 prints one QR code 50 for each line. When printing multiple QR codes 50 on different lines, the printing unit 15 prints the QR codes 50 in adjacent lines at positions offset from each other in the first direction. The first direction is the direction in which the lines extend, i.e., the direction of the shorter side of the receipt paper 30. Multiple lines are arranged along the longer side of the receipt paper 30.

[0038] Preferably, in the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are spaced at least 1 cm apart. More preferably, in the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are spaced at least one code width apart.

[0039] In the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are positioned at a distance greater than the gap between QR codes 50 in the row direction.

[0040] Preferably, adjacent QR codes 50 in the space between lines are arranged alternately left and right along the short side of the receipt paper 30. This makes it less likely for the operator to get confused about how much of the code has been scanned.

[0041] Preferably, in the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are placed as far apart as possible. In this case, preferably, the distance between the QR code 50 and the edge of the receipt paper 30 is 5 mm or more. This suppresses printing defects such as the QR code 50 being cut off. The distance between the QR code 50 and the edge of the receipt paper 30 is more preferably 15 mm or more, and more preferably 20 mm or more.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an example of the printout on the receipt paper 30 issued by the weighing device 10 when sales registration at the POS terminal 20 is required each time a product is sold. On the weighing device 10 side, the receipt paper 30 is printed with the tenant name, contact information, purchase date and time, purchase details, total amount, transaction number, etc. In addition, a QR code 50 created by the code generation unit 19 is also printed in order to register the sales to the POS terminal 20.

[0043] Furthermore, since this QR code portion 50 is unnecessary for the customer, it may be issued separately from the section containing the breakdown (details), or partially cut out from the receipt paper 30.

[0044] (2-2) POS terminal 20 The POS terminal 20 is installed on a workbench or similar location in a prepared food store or similar establishment and is used to report sales to the tenant owner.

[0045] The POS terminal 20 includes a main casing 29, a scanner 21, a control unit 22, a display unit 23, a printer unit 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0046] In the POS terminal 20, the scanner 21, control unit 22, display unit 23, and printer unit 25 are connected to enable the transmission and reception of signals, and sales information and product information 40 are transmitted and received. In addition, information is transmitted and received with the store master (not shown) via the communication unit 26.

[0047] Scanner 21 reads the QR code 50. In this embodiment, scanner 21 is a handheld scanner.

[0048] The control unit 22 is implemented by a computer. The control unit 22 includes a control calculation unit and a recording unit 24. The control calculation unit can use a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control calculation unit reads a program stored in the recording unit 24 and performs predetermined calculation processing according to this program. Furthermore, the control calculation unit can write the calculation results to the recording unit 24 or read information stored in the recording unit 24 according to the program.

[0049] The display unit 23 displays product information 40. As shown in Figure 4, the display unit 23 is controlled by the control unit 14 to display the code numbers 51 corresponding to the QR codes 50 that have not been read, based on the total number of QR codes 50 and the code numbers 51 read by the scanner 21. The display unit 23 may also display other information, such as code numbers 51 that have been read multiple times.

[0050] The printer unit 25 prints the receipt on the paper.

[0051] (3) Operation When a customer tells the worker which items they wish to purchase, the worker weighs the items using the nearest weighing device 10 on the display case and inputs the product information 40 into the weighing device 10. The weighing device 10 prints a QR code 50 containing the product information 40 and a code number 51 on the receipt paper 30. The worker scans the QR code 50 on the receipt paper 30 using a scanner 21 connected to the POS terminal 20. At this time, the worker scans the QR code 50 according to the code number 51. For example, when using the receipt paper 30 shown in Figure 3, the worker scans the first QR code 52, the second QR code 53, and the third QR code 54 in the order of code number 51 "1" → "2" → "3". If a QR code 50 is skipped during scanning, the display unit 23 displays the code number 51 corresponding to the QR code 50 that was not scanned. For example, if the second QR code 53 is skipped, the display unit 23 will display something like "Unread code: Code number 2" as shown in Figure 4. Once all the product information 40 printed on the receipt paper 30 has been entered, that is, once all the QR codes 50 have been scanned, the operator presses down the subtotal key. The control unit 22 of the POS terminal 20 stores the sales information in the recording unit 24 or the store master and issues a receipt from the printer unit 25.

[0052] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of this invention are also included.

[0053] (4) Features (4-1) The weighing device 10 of this embodiment includes an input unit 13, a code generation unit 19, and a printing unit 15. The input unit 13 receives product information 40 as input. The code generation unit 19 generates a QR code 50. The QR code 50 includes the product information 40 input by the input unit 13. The printing unit 15 prints the QR code 50 on a receipt sheet 30. When printing multiple QR codes 50 on separate lines, the printing unit 15 prints the QR codes 50 on adjacent lines at positions offset from each other in the first direction of the line's extension.

[0054] The amount of product information 40 that needs to be registered in the POS terminal 20 is increasing. Also, the size of the QR code 50 increases in proportion to the amount of product information 40 that is embedded. However, there is a limit to the size of the QR code 50 that can be read by the scanner 21. Furthermore, there is a limit to the amount of product information 40 that can be registered in a single QR code 50. Therefore, it is necessary to divide the amount of product information 40 to be embedded into multiple QR codes 50, which results in printing multiple QR codes 50 on a single receipt sheet 30. For example, as shown in Figure 5, multiple QR codes 50 are printed on a single receipt sheet 30, spanning multiple lines.

[0055] In Figure 5, multiple QR codes 50 are arranged close together in rows. Therefore, there is a possibility of reading the same QR code 50 multiple times or skipping one QR code 50.

[0056] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, one possible method is to print multiple QR codes 50 with gaps between them. However, in this case, the printed portion extends along the length of the receipt paper 30, resulting in a larger amount of receipt paper being used.

[0057] On the other hand, in this weighing device 10, the QR codes 50 are printed in adjacent rows at positions offset from each other in the first direction of the row's extension. Because there is sufficient space between the QR codes 50 in the rows, the operator can read multiple QR codes 50 without skipping or overlapping any. As a result, this weighing device 10 can reduce reading errors of the QR codes 50 containing product information 40.

[0058] (4-2) The code generation unit 19 assigns a code number 51 to the QR code 50. The code number 51 indicates the order of the QR codes 50. When printing the QR codes 50, the printing unit 15 further prints the code number 51 corresponding to each QR code 50.

[0059] In this weighing device 10, the code number 51 is assigned in a sequential order to each of the multiple QR codes 50 printed on a single receipt sheet 30. This prevents the operator from reading the same QR code 50 multiple times or skipping any QR codes when reading them.

[0060] (4-3) The code generation unit 19 distributes the amount of product information 40 and generates QR codes 50 of equivalent size.

[0061] For example, consider the case where 52 pieces of data are printed on a single receipt sheet 30 in an environment where a single QR code 50 can contain up to 25 pieces of data. Figure 7 shows the case where 25 pieces of data are placed in the 1st'QR code 81, 25 pieces of data in the 2nd'QR code 82, and 2 pieces of data in the 3rd'QR code 83. In Figure 7, the size of the 1st'QR code 81 and the 2nd'QR code 82 are the same. However, the 3rd'QR code 83 is smaller than the 1st'QR code 81 and the 2nd'QR code 82. In this case, the operator may instinctively change the distance between the receipt sheet 30 and the scanner 21, potentially causing the focus to shift and making it difficult to read. Also, when the operator changes the distance between the receipt sheet 30 and the scanner 21, there is a possibility that they may read the next QR code 50 or the previous QR code 50 instead of the target QR code 50.

[0062] In this weighing device 10, the quantity of product information 40 is distributed among multiple QR codes 50, generating multiple QR codes 50 of similar size, as shown in Figure 3. As a result, the multiple QR codes 50 become easier for the operator to read.

[0063] (4-4) In the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are placed at least one code width apart from each other.

[0064] In this weighing device 10, adjacent QR codes 50 are sufficiently far apart, thus preventing the reading of QR codes 50 that are not the target QR code 50.

[0065] (4-5) In the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are positioned at a distance greater than the gap between QR codes 50 in the row direction.

[0066] In this weighing device 10, adjacent QR codes 50 are sufficiently far apart, thus preventing the reading of QR codes 50 that are not the target QR code 50.

[0067] (4-6) The product management system 100 comprises a weighing device 10 and a POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 has a display unit 23 and a scanner 21. The display unit 23 displays product information 40. The scanner 21 reads the codes. Based on the total number of QR codes 50 and the code numbers 51 read by the scanner 21, the display unit 23 displays the code numbers 51 corresponding to the QR codes 50 that have not been read.

[0068] This weighing device 10 displays a code number 51 corresponding to the QR code 50 that has not been read, thus preventing the QR code 50 from being skipped.

[0069] (5) Variant (5-1) Variation A In the above embodiment, the code generation unit 19 distributes the amount of product information 40 contained in the QR code 50 to generate QR codes 50 of equivalent size. However, the method for generating QR codes 50 of equivalent size is not particularly limited to this. The code generation unit 19 may, for example, add dummy data to the product information 40 to generate QR codes 50 of equivalent size. Dummy data may be, for example, numbers such as "1" that are not included in the product information 40.

[0070] In this modified example A, the code generation unit 19 adds dummy data to the QR code 50 with the least amount of product information 40, so that it contains the same amount of data as the other QR codes 50. As a result, the code generation unit 19 can generate QR codes 50 of equivalent size.

[0071] (5-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, the printing unit 15 prints one QR code 50 for each line. However, it is not limited to this. The printing unit 15 may print multiple QR codes 50 on a single line.

[0072] In this modified example B, preferably, in the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are spaced at least 1 cm apart. More preferably, in the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are spaced at least one QR code width apart. In the first direction, adjacent QR codes 50 are spaced at a distance greater than the gap between QR codes 50 in the row direction.

[0073] (5-3) Modification C In the above embodiment, the code is a QR code 50, but it is not limited to this. The code may be, for example, a barcode or the like.

[0074] (5-4) Modification D In the above embodiment, product information 40 is registered to the POS terminal 20 each time, but is not limited to this. The operator may register the aggregated results to the POS terminal 20 all at once, such as at closing time. In modified example D, the weighing device 10 prints a receipt form 30 similar to a typical receipt, including tenant name, purchase date and time, purchased items, unit price, discount amount, total amount, amount received, change, and transaction number. The operator hands only this receipt form 30 to the customer to complete the transaction. At closing time, the operator issues an aggregated receipt with multiple QR codes 50 printed on it. By reading these QR codes 50 into the POS terminal 20, sales reports can be submitted to the tenant owner all at once. This allows for various closing procedures after closing time.

[0075] (5-5) Variation E In the above embodiment, a weighing device 10 is used as the sales registration device, but of course, it is not limited to this. The sales registration device may be a regular POS terminal or the like that does not have a weighing unit 12. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 10. Weighing device (an example of a product registration device) 12 Measuring part 13 Input section 14. Control Unit (Example of Code Generation Unit) 15 Printing section 19 Code Generation Unit 20 POS terminals 21. Scanner (an example of a reading device) 23 Display section 30. Receipt paper (example of paper type) 40 Product information 50 QR codes (examples of codes) 51 Code number (Example of number information) 100 Product Management Systems [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0077] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-33406

Claims

1. An input section for entering product information, A code generation unit that generates a code including the product information input by the input unit, A printing unit for printing the aforementioned code onto paper, Equipped with, The printing unit prints multiple codes on separate lines, and the product registration device prints the codes in adjacent lines at positions offset from each other in the first direction extending along the line.

2. The code generation unit assigns number information indicating the order of the codes to the codes, The printing unit further prints the number information corresponding to each of the codes when printing the codes. The product registration device according to claim 1.

3. The code generation unit distributes the amount of product information and generates codes of equivalent size. The product registration device according to claim 1.

4. The code generation unit adds dummy data to the product information to generate a code of equivalent size. The product registration device according to claim 1.

5. In the first direction, adjacent codes are arranged at a distance of at least one code's width from each other. The product registration device according to claim 1.

6. In the first direction, adjacent codes are arranged at a distance greater than the gap between codes in the row direction. The product registration device according to claim 1.

7. The product registration device according to claim 2, A POS terminal having a display unit for displaying the aforementioned product information and a reader for reading the aforementioned code, Equipped with, The display unit displays the number information corresponding to the codes that have not been read, based on the total number of codes and the number information read by the reader. Product management system.

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