Measuring device

Abstract

To improve sale by weighing.SOLUTION: A weighing device comprises weighing means weighing mass, display means displaying the mass, output means outputting to a medium the mass of a tare weighed by the weighing means, and acquisition means capable of acquiring the mass of the tare from the medium. The display means displays the acquired mass of a tare when the weighing means has weighed mass and the acquisition means has acquired the mass of the tare, and displays weighed mass when the weighing means has weighed mass and the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of a tare.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a metering device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a system is known that sells products by weighing them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 6-50740 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there was room for improvement in metered sales.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for improving metered sales. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a weighing device which is one aspect of the present invention comprises a weighing means for measuring a mass, a display means for displaying the mass, an output means for outputting the mass of the container measured by the weighing means to a medium, and an acquisition means capable of acquiring the mass of the container from the medium, and when the weighing means has measured a mass and the acquisition means has acquired the mass of the container, the display means displays the acquired mass of the container, and when the weighing means has measured a mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container, the display means displays the measured mass. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of a weighing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a weighing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing how to register a my container. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of purchasing a product using a my-container. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a display of a weighing device. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a display of a weighing device. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a display of a weighing device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the weighing device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the weighing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of a weighing device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the weighing device 20. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the configuration of the weighing device 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0009] The weighing device 20 is a device that weighs and prices loose products (sometimes referred to as "products", "weighed products", "weighed price products", or "weighed sales products"). Examples of loose products are nuts, chocolate, and dried fruits.

[0010] The weighing device 20 includes a CPU 21 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a scanner unit 24, a weighing unit 25, a touch display 26, a voice output unit 27, a printing unit 28, and a wireless tag reading and writing unit 29.

[0011] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the weighing device 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 22 .

[0012] The ROM 22 is a read-only memory, and stores various information used by the CPU 21, including programs, for example.

[0013] The RAM 23 is a read / write memory, and stores various information such as information read from the ROM 22 and information acquired via the wireless tag reader / writer 29 .

[0014] The scanner unit 24 optically reads various types of information. For example, the scanner unit 24 reads various codes (bar codes, two-dimensional codes, etc.).

[0015] The weighing unit 25 weighs an item (such as a product or a container) placed on the platform 25a, for example, by a weight detection method using a load cell.

[0016] The touch display 26 displays various information to the operator, and also has a touch panel and functions as an operation unit.

[0017] The audio output unit 27 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 27 outputs audio guidance and the like.

[0018] The printing unit 28 is a printer device that prints and issues media. For example, the printing unit 28 prints product labels (sometimes called "price labels") after weighing and pricing products, and issues (discharges) the labels from the label discharge port 28a.

[0019] For example, the date and time, the name of the product (product name), the measured value (net amount) of the product, the price per unit weight of the product, and the selling price are printed on the product label. Furthermore, the product label may further include the transaction number, the store name, the expiration date, and the type of container used to purchase the product (for example, my container (described later) or store container (described later)). The weighing device 20 (for example, the printing unit 28) may have a function to detect when the discharged product label has been removed from the label discharge outlet 28a.

[0020] The wireless tag reader / writer 29 communicates with a non-contact type IC tag by short-distance wireless communication. That is, the wireless tag reader / writer 29 reads and writes information between the non-contact type IC tag and the non-contact type IC tag by short-distance wireless communication using an electromagnetic field, radio waves, or the like. An example of a non-contact type is an RFID (radio frequency identifier) ​​tag. In the following description, a non-contact type IC tag may be referred to as a wireless tag, a wireless IC tag, or the like. In this embodiment, the details will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, but the wireless tag reader / writer 29 reads and writes weight information of a my container between the wireless tag attached to a label for my container (described later) attached to the my container (described later). The type of IC tag may be any of a passive tag, an active tag, and a semi-active tag (activated active tag) that combines both, but a passive tag that does not require a battery due to its size is preferable. The wireless tag reader / writer 29 irradiates radio waves that serve as an energy source for the IC tag (passive tag).

[0021] The weighing device 20 may have a clock function (timekeeping function). The weighing device 20 with the clock function can manage, for example, the current time, the remaining time until a certain time, and the elapsed time since a certain state was reached. The weighing device 20 may also have a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from other devices wirelessly (for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.) or by wire. The weighing device 20 may also have a human sensor that can detect the presence of a person in the vicinity (mainly in front) of the weighing device 20. The weighing device 20 may also have one or more imaging units (cameras). For example, the weighing device 20 may have an imaging unit that images an operator of the weighing device 20 or an imaging unit that images an object placed on the platform 25a. The weighing device 20 may also have an alarm unit (sign pole) having a light-emitting unit.

[0022] In addition, in FIG. 3, the weighing device 20 is described as including a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 22. However, the weighing device 20 may be configured to include an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) instead of these.

[0023] (Files stored in the weighing device 20) The weighing device 20 stores a product file (also called a product master) including, for example, product identification information, product name, and price by weight (price per unit weight) as data items. If the weighing device 20 has a communication unit, it may receive and store the product file (as well as other files) from an external device (such as a management device installed in the store (not shown) or a cloud server outside the store).

[0024] The weighing device 20 also stores a store container file (also called a store container master) that includes store container identification information, store container name, and unit price as data items, for example. A store container is a container prepared by a store. In this embodiment, the store container is a paper bag or a burlap bag. That is, although the word "container" is used due to its relationship with "my container" (described later), store containers also include bags. Note that store containers may be, for example, cotton bags, bottles, cups, small boxes, etc. Also, the same type of container may come in various sizes.

[0025] The weighing device 20 also stores a button setting file relating to buttons operably displayed on the touch display 26. There are button setting files relating to various buttons, and for example, a button setting file relating to a product button includes, for example, product identification information, product button identification information, and a button image as data items.

[0026] The above-mentioned files are examples of files stored by the weighing device 20, and the weighing device 20 may store files other than the above-mentioned files.

[0027] Furthermore, the weighing device 20 only needs to be able to refer to the above-mentioned files, and does not necessarily have to store the above-mentioned files itself. In other words, the above-mentioned files may be stored in an external device (such as a management device installed in a store (not shown) or a cloud server located outside the store), and the weighing device 20 may access the external device as needed to obtain information in the files.

[0028] (Register my container) My containers are containers that customers bring with them, as opposed to containers provided by the store (store containers; in this embodiment, paper bags or burlap bags). My containers are used to purchase products after the weight (weight information) of the my container is registered. A distinction is made between my containers before their weight is registered (my containers that cannot be used to purchase products) and my containers after their weight has been registered (my containers that can be used to purchase products), with the former being referred to as unregistered my containers and the latter as registered my containers.

[0029] Registering a my container means storing the weight of the my container. In this embodiment, registering a my container means storing the weight of the my container in a wireless tag attached to a my container label attached to the my container. The my container label is a label that is attached to a my container and has a wireless tag attached (a label formed integrally with the wireless tag). The my container label is prepared by the store and placed inside the store (for example, near where the weighing device 20 is installed).

[0030] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how to register a my container. When registering a my container, first, a my container label 80 with a wireless tag 81 attached is affixed to an unregistered my container (my container 70). The left to center of Fig. 3 show how the my container label 80 with the wireless tag 81 is affixed to the my container 70. The task of affixing the my container label 80 to the my container 70 is basically performed by the customer themselves (although a store clerk may also perform this task).

[0031] Next, the my container 70 with the my container label 80 attached thereto is placed on the platform 25a. The center to right side of Fig. 3 show how the my container 70 with the my container label 80 attached thereto is placed on the platform 25a. Note that on the right side of Fig. 3 (similar to the right side of Fig. 4), for convenience of explanation (to show that the my container label 80 is attached), the my container label 80 (wireless tag 81) is not facing the direction of the wireless tag reading unit 29, but the my container label 80 (wireless tag 81) is placed on the platform 25a facing the direction of the wireless tag reading unit 29. Note that the task of placing the my container 70 on the platform 25a is basically performed by the customer himself (a store clerk may also perform this task).

[0032] When my container 70 with my container label 80 attached is placed on the platform 25a, the weighing device 20 measures its weight. The weight (measured value) actually includes the weight of the my container label 80, but since it is not important whether the weight of the my container label 80 is included or not as long as it is treated as a tare weight when the product is purchased, for ease of explanation, this weight will be referred to as the weight of my container 70, and when simply referring to the weight of my container 70, the weight of the my container label 80 will be included.

[0033] Next, the weighing device 20 writes the weighing value (weight of the my container 70) to the wireless tag 81 attached to the my container label 80 attached to the my container 70. As a result, the unregistered my container (my container 70) becomes a registered my container (my container 71). Note that the unregistered my container 70 becomes a registered my container 71 when placed on the platform 25a, but FIG. 3 does not show how the unregistered my container 70 becomes a registered my container 71.

[0034] (Purchasing products using my own containers) Purchasing products using my container means purchasing products using my container, and placing the product in a registered my container before purchasing. Purchasing products using store containers (described below) means purchasing products using store containers (paper bags, burlap bags), and placing the product in a store container before purchasing.

[0035] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of purchasing a product using a my container. When purchasing a product using a my container, first, the product 90 is placed in a registered my container (my container 71). The left to center parts of Fig. 4 show the process of placing the product 90 in the my container 71. The task of placing the product 90 in the registered my container 71 is basically performed by the customer himself (although a store clerk may also perform this task).

[0036] Next, the customer moves to the location of the weighing device 20 with his / her container 71 containing the product 90 (i.e., the product 90 contained in his / her container 71), and places his / her container 71 containing the product 90 on the platform 25a. The center to right side of Fig. 4 show how his / her container 71 containing the product 90 is placed on the platform 25a.

[0037] When the my container 71 containing the product 90 is placed on the platform 25a, the weighing device 20 measures its weight. The weighing device 20 also reads the weight of the my container 71 (the weight of the container) stored in the wireless tag 81 attached to the my container label 80 attached to the my container 71. The weighing device 20 calculates the net weight (NET) of the product 90 based on the weight value and the read weight of the my container 71 (calculated by subtracting the weight of the container from the weight value).

[0038] Next, the weighing device 20 identifies the placed product 90 (product 90 placed in my container 71) based on the customer's operation. After identifying the product 90, the weighing device 20 calculates the selling price based on the unit price by weight of the product 90 and the net quantity of the product 90 (calculated by multiplying the unit price by the net quantity) and displays it. Next, the weighing device 20 prints and issues a product label based on the customer's operation. The customer attaches the product label issued by the weighing device 20 to the relevant my container 71, for example, and moves to the installation location of a device (not shown) capable of executing at least the registration process of registering the product. The device capable of executing at least the registration process of registering the product may be a registration and settlement device capable of executing the registration process and the settlement process, or may be a registration-only device that exclusively executes the registration process. After the registration process in the registration-only device, the customer moves to the installation location of a device (not shown) capable of executing at least the settlement process and executes the settlement process. The device capable of executing at least the settlement process may be the above-mentioned registered settlement device, or may be a dedicated settlement device that exclusively executes the settlement process.

[0039] Hereinafter, the "wireless tag attached to the label for my container attached to my container" may be referred to as the "wireless tag of my container." Furthermore, when the weighing device 20 (wireless tag reader 29) can communicate with the wireless tag of my container, it may be referred to as "recognizing the wireless tag of my container" or "recognizing it as my container."

[0040] 5 to 7 are examples of the display of the weighing device 20. Specifically, FIG. 5(A) is an initial screen (start screen). FIG. 5(B) to FIG. 5(D) are examples of the display when registering a my container. The screen transitions in the order of FIG. 5(A) → FIG. 5(B) → FIG. 5(C) → FIG. 5(D) (however, the screen of FIG. 5(B) may not be displayed). FIG. 6(A) to FIG. 6(C) are examples of the display when purchasing a product using a my container (when the container is recognized as my container when it is placed). The screen transitions in the order of FIG. 5(A) → FIG. 6(A) → FIG. 6(B) → FIG. 6(C). FIG. 7(A) to FIG. 7(D) are examples of the display of the weighing device 20 when purchasing a product using a store container. The screen transitions as follows: FIG. 5(A) → FIG. 7(A) → FIG. 7(B) → FIG. 7(C) → FIG. 7(D). Fig. 6(D) is an example of the display when purchasing a product using a my-container (when the container is not recognized as my-container when it is placed on the container). The display transitions in the order of Fig. 5(A) → Fig. 7(A) → Fig. 7(B) → Fig. 6(D).

[0041] (Display during standby) As described above, Fig. 5(A) shows the initial screen. The weighing device 20 displays the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A) when in standby (standby state; waiting for customers). A numeric display area SHR is provided at the top of the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A) (the same is true for other screens). The numeric display area SHR includes a tare weight display field 201, a net weight / measurement value display field 202, a unit price display field 203, and a sales price display field 204.

[0042] In addition, an image or the like is displayed in the center of the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A) instructing (guiding) the customer to place the product (the product in the container) on platform 25a. In addition, in the lower part of the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A), a my container registration start button 210 is arranged as an operation area that is operated (touched) when starting to register a my container. A customer who has brought a my container for the first time (a customer who has brought an unregistered my container) operates the my container registration start button 210 to register the my container that he or she has brought.

[0043] (Displayed when registering my container) When the my container registration start button 210 is operated on the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A), the weighing device 20 instructs (guides) the user to affix a my container label to an unregistered my container and to place the unregistered my container with the my container label affixed on the platform 25a. For example, instead of the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A), the weighing device 20 may display a screen (not shown) displaying an image instructing the user to affix a my container label to an unregistered my container and an image instructing the user to place the unregistered my container with the my container label affixed on the platform 25a, or may display a similar small screen in front of the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A).

[0044] Fig. 5(B) is a direction adjustment instruction screen for instructing adjustment of the direction (orientation) of the label (wireless tag) for my container (adjustment to face the wireless tag reading unit 29). Fig. 5(C) is a registration in progress screen (writing in progress screen) notifying that my container is being registered. Fig. 5(D) is a registration completion screen notifying that registration of my container is complete.

[0045] When an unregistered my container with a my container label attached (an empty my container as shown in FIG. 3) is placed on the platform 25a (i.e., when the weighing unit 25 detects the weight after the my container registration start button 210 is operated), the weighing device 20 displays the direction adjustment instruction screen shown in FIG. 5(B) or the registration in progress screen shown in FIG. 5(C). Specifically, when the weighing device 20 does not recognize the container placed on the platform 25a as a my container (when it does not recognize the wireless tag of the my container), it displays the direction adjustment instruction screen shown in FIG. 5(B). The net weight / measurement value display field 202 on the direction adjustment instruction screen shown in FIG. 5(B) displays the weight (measurement value) of the my container placed on the platform 25a, "66 (g)". The same applies to the registration in progress screen shown in FIG. 5(C) and the registration completion screen shown in FIG. 5(D).

[0046] On the other hand, when the weighing device 20 recognizes the container placed on the platform 25a as my container (when it recognizes the wireless tag of that my container), it displays the registration screen shown in Fig. 5(C). When the weighing device 20 recognizes the container placed on the platform 25a as my container after displaying the direction adjustment instruction screen shown in Fig. 5(B), it displays the registration screen shown in Fig. 5(C) instead of the direction adjustment instruction screen shown in Fig. 5(B). When the registration of my container is completed, the weighing device 20 displays the registration completion screen shown in Fig. 5(D) instead of the registration screen shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0047] (Display when purchasing products using my own container (when the container is recognized as my own when placed on the shelf)) Fig. 6(A) is a product selection screen (product designation screen) for selecting (designating) a product. Fig. 6(B) is a label issuance instruction screen for instructing printing and issuance of a product label. Fig. 6(C) is a label issuance completion screen for notifying that issuance of the product label has been completed.

[0048] When a my container (a registered my container with a product inside as shown in FIG. 4) is placed on platform 25a in the initial screen shown in FIG. 5(A) and the container placed on platform 25a is recognized as my container (i.e., when the weighing unit 25 detects the weight of the my container and the wireless tag reading unit 29 recognizes the wireless tag of the my container), the weighing device 20 displays the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A).

[0049] The tare weight display field 201 on the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A) displays the weight of the my container, "66 (g)", read from the wireless tag by the wireless tag reader 29. The weight of the my container, "66 (g)", is displayed in bolder than the other displays. The net weight / measurement value display field 202 on the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A) displays the weight (net weight) of the product placed in the my container, "348 (g)" (calculated and displayed by subtracting the weight of the my container from the measurement value). Although not displayed, the measurement value (weight of my container + weight of the product) is 414 (g).

[0050] A product button display area is provided in the center of the product selection screen shown in Fig. 6(A). Product buttons corresponding to the respective products are displayed in the product button display area. In the example shown in Fig. 6(A), six buttons, product buttons 220-1 to 220-6, are displayed. A numeric button display area is provided in the lower part of the product selection screen shown in Fig. 6(A). Numeric buttons "1" to "9" and the like are displayed in the numeric button display area.

[0051] A customer may select a product from the product button display area or may select a product from the number button display area. For example, when selecting mixed nuts (product number 1) (i.e., when the product in the My Container is mixed nuts), the customer may operate (touch) the product button 220-1 corresponding to mixed nuts in the product button display area, or may operate the "1" button and the "Confirm" button corresponding to the product number of mixed nuts in the number button display area. For example, when selecting raw cashew nuts (product number 2) (i.e., when the product in the My Container is raw cashew nuts), the customer may operate the product button 220-2 corresponding to raw cashew nuts in the product button display area, or may operate the "2" button and the "Confirm" button corresponding to the product number of raw cashew nuts in the number button display area. Note that when each product is displayed (display container, etc.), in addition to the product name of each product (mixed nuts, raw cashew nuts, etc.), the product number (1, 2, etc.) is also displayed.

[0052] When mixed nuts, which is the product number 1, is selected on the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A), the weighing device 20 displays the label production instruction screen shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0053] The weight of the container "66 (g)" read by the wireless tag reader 29 from the wireless tag is displayed in the tare weight display field 201 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 6(B). The weight of the container "66 (g)" is displayed in bolder than the other marks. The weight (net weight) of the mixed nuts (the product selected on the product selection screen as the product contained in the container) "348 (g)" is displayed in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 6(B). The unit price display field 203 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 6(B) displays the unit price by weight of the mixed nuts "421 (yen / 100g)". The selling price display field 204 of the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(B) displays the selling price (cost of the mixed nuts) "1465 (yen)". The same is true for the label issuance completion screen shown in FIG. 6(C).

[0054] Also, the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B) displays an image 230-1 informing the user of the product (mixed nuts) selected on the product selection screen, and an image 231 informing the user that the product is purchased using a personal container. Also, the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B) has a label issuance instruction button 232 for instructing the user to issue a product label.

[0055] When the label issuance instruction button 232 is operated (touched) on the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B), the weighing device 20 displays the label issuance completion screen shown in Fig. 6(C). The label issuance completion screen shown in Fig. 6(C) displays an image instructing the user to attach the issued product label to their container and take it to a cash register (for example, the above-mentioned registration settlement device or registration-only device). The same applies to the label issuance completion screen shown in Fig. 7(D).

[0056] (Display of product at time of purchase using store container) Fig. 7(A) is a product selection screen (product designation screen). Fig. 7(B) is a container selection screen (container designation screen) for selecting (designating) a container (tare). Fig. 7(C) is a label printing instruction screen. Fig. 7(D) is a label printing completion screen.

[0057] When a store container (a store container containing a product) is placed on the platform 25a (i.e., when the weighing unit 25 detects the weight) on the initial screen shown in Figure 5(A), the weighing device 20 displays the product selection screen shown in Figure 7(A).

[0058] The net weight / measurement value display field 202 on the product selection screen shown in Fig. 7(A) displays the measurement value (store container weight + product weight) "352 (g)". Also, the product selection screen shown in Fig. 7(A) is provided with a product button display area and a numeric button display area, similar to the product selection screen shown in Fig. 6(A).

[0059] When mixed nuts, which is product number 1, is selected on the product selection screen shown in FIG. 7(A), the weighing device 20 displays a container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0060] The net weight / measurement value display field 202 of the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B) displays the measurement value (weight of the store container + weight of mixed nuts (the product selected on the product selection screen as the product contained in the My Container)) "352 (g)". The unit price display field 203 of the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B) displays the weight unit price of mixed nuts "421 (yen / 100g)". The sales price display field 204 of the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B) displays the estimated sales price "1481 (yen)". The estimated sales price "1481 (yen)" is the amount obtained by multiplying the measurement value "352 (g)" by the weight unit price "421 (yen / 100g)". In other words, the estimated sales price is higher than the original sales price (price of mixed nuts) by the amount obtained by multiplying the weight of the store container by the weight unit price, and is lower by the sales price of the store container.

[0061] In addition, the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B) displays an image 230-1 that notifies the product (mixed nuts) selected in the product selection screen. In addition, the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B) has container buttons (paper bag button 241, my container button 242, and burlap bag button 243) corresponding to each container (paper bag, my container, and burlap bag). When selecting a paper bag (one of the store containers) (i.e., the container containing mixed nuts and placed on the platform 25a is a paper bag), the customer operates (touches) the paper bag button 241, when selecting a my container (i.e., the container containing mixed nuts and placed on the platform 25a is a registered my container), the customer operates the my container button 242, and when selecting a burlap bag (one of the store containers) (i.e., the container containing mixed nuts and placed on the platform 25a is a burlap bag), the customer operates the burlap bag button 243.

[0062] When a paper bag is selected on the container selection screen shown in Fig. 7(B), the weighing device 20 displays the label printing instruction screen shown in Fig. 7(C). It is assumed that the paper bag weighs 4 g and costs 5 yen.

[0063] The weight of the paper bag (that is, the container selected in the container selection screen as the container containing the mixed nuts and placed on the platform 25a) is displayed as "4 (g)" in the tare weight display field 201 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 7 (C). The weight (net weight) of the mixed nuts (the product selected in the product selection screen as the product contained in the container (paper bag)) is displayed as "348 (g)" in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 7 (C). The unit price display field 203 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 7 (C) displays the unit price by weight of the mixed nuts as "421 (yen / 100g)". The selling price display field 204 of the label issuance instruction screen shown in FIG. 7 (C) displays the selling price (cost of the mixed nuts + cost of the paper bag) as "1470 (yen)". The same is true for the label issuance completion screen shown in FIG. 7 (D).

[0064] Also, the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 7(C) displays an image 230-1 informing the user of the product (mixed nuts) selected on the product selection screen. Also, the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 7(C) has a label issuance instruction button 232 arranged thereon to instruct the user to issue a product label. When the label issuance instruction button 232 is operated on the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 7(C), the weighing device 20 displays the label issuance completion screen shown in Fig. 7(D).

[0065] (Display when purchasing a product using my own container (if the container is not recognized as my own when placed on the shelf)) FIG. 6(D) shows a direction adjustment instruction screen that is displayed when the my container is not recognized after the my container button 242 is operated.

[0066] In the initial screen shown in Fig. 5(A), when a my container (a registered my container in which a product is placed as shown in Fig. 4) is placed on the platform 25a, but the container placed on the platform 25a is not recognized as a my container (i.e., when the weighing unit 25 detects the weight of the my container, but the wireless tag reading unit 29 does not recognize the wireless tag of the my container), the weighing device 20 displays a product selection screen as shown in Fig. 7(A) in the same way as when a store container is placed on the platform 25a (when Fig. 5(A) → Fig. 7(A) → Fig. 7(B) → Fig. 7(C) → Fig. 7(D) are displayed), and when a product is selected on the product selection screen, the container selection screen as shown in Fig. 7(B) is displayed. On the container selection screen, the my container button 242 is operated, and when the my container button 242 is operated, the weighing device 20 attempts to read the wireless tag (obtain weight information of the my container). If the weighing device 20 is successful in reading the wireless tag, it will display the label issuance instruction screen as shown in Fig. 6(B) in the same way as when it recognizes the my container when it is placed (displaying Fig. 5(A) → Fig. 6(A) → Fig. 6(B) → Fig. 6(C)). On the other hand, if the weighing device 20 fails to read the wireless tag, it will display the orientation adjustment instruction screen as shown in Fig. 6(D).

[0067] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the weighing device 20. The flowchart in Figure 9 is a continuation of the flowchart in Figure 8 (continuation from step S22 (NO) onwards). It is assumed that at the start of the flowchart in Figure 8, the weighing device 20 is displaying an initial screen (for example, the initial screen shown in Figure 5 (A)). It is also assumed that the weighing device 20 is being operated by a customer.

[0068] (Flowchart in Figure 8) Step S1: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not an object has been placed on the platform 25a. When the weighing unit 25 detects a weight, the weighing device 20 determines that an object has been placed on the platform 25a. If an object has been placed on the platform 25a (Step S1: YES), the process proceeds to Step S22. If an object has not been placed on the platform (Step S1: NO), the process proceeds to Step S2.

[0069] Step S2: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not an operation to register my container has been performed. Specifically, the weighing device 20 determines whether or not an operation to register my container has been performed by pressing the my container registration start button 210. If an operation to register my container has been performed (Step S2: YES), the process proceeds to Step S11. If an operation to register my container has not been performed (Step S2: NO), the process returns to Step S1.

[0070] A supplementary explanation of steps S1 and S2. When a customer purchases a product, the customer simply places a container (a registered my container containing the product to be purchased or a store container containing the product to be purchased) on the platform 25a (without operating the my container registration start button 210) on the initial screen. In this case, the weighing device 20 determines that a container has been placed on the platform 25a (step S1 (YES)) and proceeds to step S22. Note that in step S1, it is determined whether a container has been placed on the platform 25a, but it is not determined whether the placed container is a registered my container containing the product to be purchased or a store container containing the product to be purchased. In addition, when a customer registers a my container, the customer operates the my container registration start button 210 on the initial screen. In this case, the weighing device 20 determines that an operation to register a my container has been performed (step S2 (YES)) and proceeds to step S11.

[0071] Step S11: As in step S1, the weighing device 20 determines whether or not an object has been placed on the platform 25a. If an object has been placed on the platform 25a (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12. If an object has not been placed on the platform (step S11: NO), the process returns to step S11.

[0072] A supplementary note about step S11: When a customer wants to register a my-container, the customer performs an operation to register the my-container on the initial screen, and then places an unregistered my-container on platform 25a. Therefore, when weighing device 20 determines that an operation to register a my-container has been performed (step S2 (YES)), it waits until a container (presumably an unregistered my-container) is placed (step S11).

[0073] Step S12: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not the wireless tag of the container (my container) placed in step S11 has been recognized. For example, if the wireless tag (my container label) of the placed container (my container) faces the wireless tag reading unit 29, the weighing device 20 recognizes the wireless tag of the container, but if it does not face the wireless tag reading unit 29, the weighing device 20 does not recognize the wireless tag of the container. If the wireless tag is recognized (step S12: YES), proceed to step S14. If the wireless tag is not recognized (step S12: NO), proceed to step S13.

[0074] Step S13: The weighing device 20 displays a direction adjustment instruction screen that instructs the user to orient the wireless tag (my container label) toward (the rear side of) the wireless tag reading unit 29. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a direction adjustment instruction screen as shown in Fig. 5(B). Then, the process returns to step S12.

[0075] Step S14: The weighing device 20 registers (stores) the weight (weighing value) of the container in the wireless tag. During the registration, the weighing device 20 displays, for example, a registration in progress screen as shown in Fig. 5(C) or a registration completion screen as shown in Fig. 5(D). Then, this flow chart ends.

[0076] Step S22: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not it has recognized the wireless tag of the container placed in step S1 (a registered personal container containing the product to be purchased, or a store container containing the product to be purchased). If it has recognized the wireless tag (step S22: YES), it proceeds to step S23. If it has not recognized the wireless tag (step S22: NO), it proceeds to step S33 in FIG. 9.

[0077] A supplementary note about step S22: In step S1, it is not determined whether the placed container is a registered my container containing the product to be purchased or a store container containing the product to be purchased. However, if the placed container is a registered my container containing the product to be purchased, the weighing device 20 recognizes the wireless tag of the placed container (registered my container containing the product to be purchased) if the wireless tag (my container label) of the placed container (registered my container containing the product to be purchased) faces the direction of the wireless tag reading unit 29, but does not recognize the wireless tag of the container if it does not face the direction of the wireless tag reading unit 29. On the other hand, if the placed container is a store container containing the product to be purchased, the store container does not have a wireless tag (my container label), so naturally the weighing device 20 does not recognize the wireless tag of the placed container (store container containing the product to be purchased). In other words, when purchasing a product using a store container, the process proceeds from step S1 (YES) → step S22 (NO) → step S33 in Figure 9, but when purchasing a product using my own container, the process may proceed from step S1 (YES) → step S22 (YES) → step S23, or from step S1 (YES) → step S22 (NO) → step S33 in Figure 9.

[0078] Step S23: The weighing device 20 displays a product selection screen for selecting a product. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a product selection screen as shown in Fig. 6(A). Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0079] A further explanation of step S23: The weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container (my container) and the weight of the product (net weight) on the product selection screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container read from the wireless tag on the product selection screen, and calculates the weight of the product (net weight) (by subtracting the weight of the container from the measured value) and displays it on the product selection screen. Note that in the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A), "66 (g)" in the container display field 201 is the weight of the container, and "348 (g)" in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 is the weight of the product.

[0080] Step S24: The weighing device 20 accepts the selection of a product. For example, the weighing device 20 may accept the selection of a product from the product button display area or the numeric button display area on the product selection screen shown in FIG. 6(A). Then, proceed to step S25.

[0081] Step S25: The weighing device 20 displays a label issuance instruction screen that instructs printing and issuing of a product label. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a label issuance instruction screen as shown in Fig. 6(B). The label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B) includes a label issuance instruction button 232. Next, proceed to step S27.

[0082] A supplementary explanation of step S25: The weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container (my container), the weight (net amount) of the product, the unit price by weight, and the selling price on the label issuance instruction screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container read from the wireless tag on the label issuance instruction screen, calculates the weight (net amount) of the product (product selected in step S24) (by subtracting the weight of the container from the measured value) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, obtains the unit price by weight of the product from the product file and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, and calculates the selling price (price of the product) (by multiplying the weight of the product by the unit price by weight) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen. In addition, in the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6 (B), "66 (g)" in the tare weight display field 201 is the weight of the relevant container, "348 (g)" in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 is the weight of the relevant product (mixed nuts), "421 (yen / 100g)" in the unit price display field 203 is the unit price by weight of the relevant product (mixed nuts), and "1465 (yen)" in the sales price display field 204 is the sales price (price of mixed nuts). In addition, the weighing device 20 displays on the label issuance instruction screen that the user is using his / her own container (i.e., that the product was purchased using his / her own container). For example, the label issuance instruction screen shown in Fig. 6 (B) displays image 231.

[0083] Step S27: The weighing device 20 accepts a label production instruction. For example, the weighing device 20 accepts the operation of the label production instruction button 232 on the label production instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B). Then, the process proceeds to step S28.

[0084] Step S28: The weighing device 20 prints and issues the product label. After printing and issuing the product label, the weighing device 20 displays a label issuance completion screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(C). As with the label issuance instruction screen, the weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container (my container), the weight of the product (net amount), the price per weight, and the sales price on the label issuance completion screen. This flowchart then ends. After displaying the label issuance completion screen in step S28 (the same applies after displaying the label issuance completion screen in step S48 in FIG. 9), the weighing device 20 erases the label issuance completion screen and displays the initial screen (switches the display from the label issuance completion screen to the initial screen).

[0085] When a customer leaves the weighing device 20 (when the human presence sensor no longer detects the presence of a person near the weighing device 20), the weighing device 20 may switch the display from the label issuance completion screen to the initial screen when the customer leaves (or when a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed since the customer left). The weighing device 20 may also switch the display from the label issuance completion screen to the initial screen based on the timing when a container placed on the platform 25a is removed (when the weighing unit 25 no longer detects the weight) or when a product label is removed from the label discharge outlet 28a. As an example, the display may be switched from the label issuance completion screen to the initial screen when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the timing when both the container and the product label are removed (that is, when the product label is removed if the product label is removed after the container is removed, or when the container is removed if the product label is removed after the container is removed).

[0086] In step S12 (similar to step 42 in FIG. 9), if the weighing device 20 does not recognize a wireless tag for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds), the weighing device 20 may call a store clerk. For example, if the weighing device 20 does not recognize a wireless tag for a predetermined time after displaying the direction adjustment instruction screen, the weighing device 20 may call a store clerk by sending a store clerk call notification to a device operated by the store clerk (e.g., a management device that manages the cash register, or a terminal carried by the store clerk). The weighing device 20 may call a store clerk by a notification unit (light emission of a light-emitting unit) instead of or in addition to sending a store clerk call notification. In addition, when the weighing device 20 has called a store clerk, the weighing device 20 may display the fact that a store clerk is being called (e.g., display on the direction adjustment instruction screen).

[0087] (Flowchart in Figure 9) Step S33: The weighing device 20 displays a product selection screen for selecting a product. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a product selection screen as shown in Fig. 7(A). Then, the process proceeds to step S34.

[0088] A further note about step S33: The weighing device 20 displays the weighing value (the total weight of the tare (container) and the weight of the product) on the product selection screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 displays the weighing value obtained by the weighing unit 25 on the product selection screen. Note that in the product selection screen shown in FIG. 7(A), "352 (g)" in the net weight / weight value display field 202 is the weighing value.

[0089] Step S34: The weighing device 20 accepts the selection of a product. For example, the weighing device 20 may accept the selection of a product from the product button display area or the numeric button display area on the product selection screen shown in Fig. 7(A). Then, proceed to step S35.

[0090] Step S35: The weighing device 20 displays a container selection screen for selecting a container. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a container selection screen as shown in Fig. 7(B). Then, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0091] A supplementary explanation about step S35: The weighing device 20 displays the measurement value (the weight of the tare (container) and the total weight of the product), the unit price by weight, and the sales price (estimated) on the container selection screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 displays the measurement value by the weighing unit 25 on the container selection screen, obtains the unit price by weight of the product (the product selected in step S34) from the product file and displays it on the container selection screen, and calculates the sales price (estimated) (by multiplying the measurement value by the unit price by weight) and displays it on the container selection screen. In addition, in the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B), "352 (g)" in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 is the measurement value, "421 (yen / 100g)" in the unit price display field 203 is the unit price by weight of the product (mixed nuts), and "1481 (yen)" in the sales price display field 204 is the sales price (estimated).

[0092] Step S36: The weighing device 20 accepts the selection of a container. For example, the weighing device 20 accepts the operation of any one of the paper bag button 241, the my container button 242, and the burlap bag button 243 on the container selection screen shown in FIG. 7(B). The process then proceeds to step S37. The customer operates the paper bag button 241 when purchasing a product in a paper bag, which is a store container (when a paper bag containing a product is placed on the platform 25a on the initial screen), operates the my container button 242 when purchasing a product in a my container (when a my container containing a product is placed on the platform 25a on the initial screen), and operates the burlap bag button 243 when purchasing a product in a burlap bag, which is a store container (when a burlap bag containing a product is placed on the platform 25a on the initial screen).

[0093] Step S37: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not my container was selected in step S36. For example, on the container selection screen shown in Fig. 7(B), if the weighing device 20 receives operation of the my container button 242, it determines that my container was selected, and if the weighing device 20 receives operation of the paper bag button 241 or burlap bag button 243, it determines that my container was not selected. If my container was selected (step S37: YES), it proceeds to step S42. If my container was not selected (step S37: NO), it proceeds to step S46.

[0094] Step S42: The weighing device 20 determines whether or not the wireless tag of the container (my container) placed in step S1 has been recognized. If the wireless tag has been recognized (step S42: YES), the process proceeds to step S45. If the wireless tag has not been recognized (step S42: NO), the process proceeds to step S43.

[0095] Step S43: The weighing device 20 displays a direction adjustment instruction screen that instructs the user to orient the wireless tag (my container label) toward (the rear side of) the wireless tag reading unit 29. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a direction adjustment instruction screen as shown in Fig. 6(D). Then, the process returns to step S42.

[0096] Step S45: The weighing device 20 displays a label issuing instruction screen for instructing printing and issuing of a product label, and then proceeds to step S47.

[0097] A supplementary explanation of step S45: The weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container (my container), the weight (net amount) of the product, the unit price by weight, and the selling price (the selling price after recalculation) on the label issuance instruction screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container read from the wireless tag on the label issuance instruction screen, calculates the weight (net amount) of the product (the product selected in step S34) (by subtracting the weight of the container from the measured value) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, obtains the unit price by weight of the product from the product file and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, and recalculates the selling price (the price of the product) (by multiplying the product weight by the unit price by weight) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen. The weighing device 20 also displays on the label issuance instruction screen that the user is using a my container (i.e., that the product was purchased using a my container).

[0098] Step S46: The weighing device 20 displays a label printing instruction screen for instructing printing and issuing of a product label. For example, the weighing device 20 displays a label printing instruction screen as shown in Fig. 7(C). Then, the process proceeds to step S47.

[0099] A supplementary explanation of step S46: The weighing device 20 displays the weight of the container (store container selected in step S36), the weight (net amount) of the product, the unit price by weight, and the selling price (recalculated selling price) on the label issuance instruction screen. Specifically, the weighing device 20 obtains the weight of the store container (store container selected in step S36) from the store container file and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, calculates the weight (net amount) of the product (product selected in step S34) (by subtracting the weight of the store container from the measured value) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, obtains the unit price by weight of the product from the product file and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen, and recalculates the selling price (price of the product and store container) (by multiplying the weight of the product by the unit price by weight and then adding the price of the store container) and displays it on the label issuance instruction screen. In addition, in the label issuance instruction screen shown in Figure 7 (C), "4 (g)" in the tare weight display column 201 is the weight of the store container (paper bag), "348 (g)" in the net weight / measurement value display column 202 is the weight of the product (mixed nuts), "421 (yen / 100g)" in the unit price display column 203 is the price per weight of the product (mixed nuts), and "1,470 (yen)" in the sales price display column 204 is the sales price.

[0100] Step S47: The weighing device 20 receives a label issuing instruction in the same manner as in step S27, and then proceeds to step S48.

[0101] Step S48: The weighing device 20 prints and issues a product label, similar to step S28. After printing and issuing the product label, the weighing device 20 displays a label issuance completion screen, such as that shown in FIG. 7(D). Then, this flow chart ends.

[0102] The above describes the embodiment, and according to the above embodiment, sales by weight are improved. For example, in the weighing device 20, the operation of registering a my container (recording weight information in a wireless tag) is simple (see Fig. 5(A) to Fig. 5(D)), and the operation of purchasing a product using a registered my container is also simple (see Fig. 5(A), Fig. 6(A) to Fig. 6(C)), so customers can easily purchase products using their own containers. In addition, the weighing device 20 immediately displays the weight information of a registered my container when it is acquired immediately after placing the container (see Fig. 6(A) and step S23 in Fig. 8), so in this case, the customer can immediately confirm that the weight information of the my container has been reflected (acquired) in the weighing device 20 (therefore, for example, the customer can feel relieved early). In addition, the weighing device 20 omits confirmation of the container when it acquires the weight information of a registered my container immediately after placing the container (does not display a container selection screen as shown in Fig. 7(B)), so that the weighing device 20 can further simplify the process.

[0103] The weigh-by-volume sales described in the embodiment have been attracting more and more attention in recent years due to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and food waste issues. In addition, if weigh-by-volume products are purchased using one's own container, waste can be reduced and resources can be saved. In this embodiment, tare weight is automatically subtracted when purchasing products using one's own container, but if tare weight is subtracted manually when purchasing products using one's own container, various problems (e.g., cumbersome operation, operation errors, calling a store clerk) will hinder the promotion of weigh-by-volume sales using one's own container.

[0104] (Modification) The above embodiment is an example, and the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the invention. Note that the following (1) to (18) may be applied in combination as appropriate.

[0105] (1) In the above embodiment, the weight of the my container when purchasing a product using the my container is displayed bolder than other displays. For example, the weight of the my container (registered my container) when purchasing a product using the my container, "66 (g)" as shown in the tare weight display field 201 of FIG. 6(A), is displayed bolder than the weight of the my container when registering the my container, "66 (g)" as shown in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 of FIG. 5(B), the weight (net weight) of the product when purchasing a product using the my container, "348 (g)" as shown in the net weight / measurement value display field 202 of FIG. 6(A), and the weight of the store container when purchasing a product using the store container, "4 (g)" as shown in the tare weight display field 201 of FIG. 7(C). However, other display modes may be used as long as it is easy to understand that the weight of the my container (registered my container) placed when purchasing a product using the my container has been obtained from the wireless tag. For example, instead of or in addition to displaying the weight information of a registered my container obtained from a wireless tag in bold, the weight information may be displayed in a different color (e.g., a color that stands out more than other displays), or an image (e.g., an icon with "My"), text (e.g., "My container"), or a symbol (e.g., displayed in the container display field 201) indicating that the weight information of a registered my container has been obtained may be displayed. Also, instead of or in addition to the image 231 notifying that the product was purchased using my container, a small screen notifying that the product was purchased using my container may be displayed, or the words "My container in use" may be displayed as a scrolling display, for example.

[0106] (2) This is also related to (1), but it may be possible to notify that a store container has been used. For example, in the case of a store container, an image (e.g., an icon depicting "paid container"), text (e.g., "paid container"), or a symbol may be displayed to indicate that a store container is being used. In other words, it is sufficient if it is displayed in a way that makes it possible to distinguish whether the product was purchased using a personal container or a store container, and it may be possible to indicate that the product was purchased using a store container by not displaying (e.g., not displaying until the end) that the product was purchased using a store container, or it may be possible to indicate that the product was purchased using a personal container by not displaying (e.g., not displaying until the end) that the product was purchased using a store container.

[0107] (3) In the above embodiment, the weight information (value) of the container is written to the wireless tag of the container as the registration of the container, but the registration of the container is not limited to this. For example, a barcode (or a two-dimensional code) encoding the weight information of the container may be printed on a medium (such as a sticker) to be affixed to the container. Alternatively, the weight information of the container may not be encoded but may be printed as a character string (number) on a medium (such as a sticker) to be affixed to the container. In the former case (printing a barcode or the like), the weight information (value) may be obtained from the barcode or the like by the scanner unit 24 when purchasing the product. In the latter case, an OCR (Optical character recognition) function for recognizing character strings is required, but the weight information (value) may be obtained from the character string by providing the scanner unit 24 with an OCR function (or by the imaging unit and the OCR function).

[0108] (4) In the above embodiment, the product name, the product's weight (net amount), the price per unit weight, the sales price, etc. are printed on the product label (price label) to be affixed to the container. However, a barcode (or a two-dimensional code) encoding data including the sales price, etc. (accounting data, sometimes called settlement data) may be printed on the product label, or a barcode (or a two-dimensional code) encoding a transaction number, etc. may be printed on the product label. The barcode, etc. printed on the product label is read by a cash register (a registration settlement device, a device dedicated to registration). The cash register that reads the barcode, etc. encoding the accounting data acquires the accounting data from the barcode, etc. The cash register that reads the barcode, etc. encoding the transaction number, etc. acquires the accounting data of the transaction (the accounting data of the transaction corresponding to the transaction number acquired from the barcode, etc.) from the weighing device 20 (or another device that receives and stores accounting data from the weighing device 20) via a network.

[0109] (5) In the above embodiment, the weighing device 20 prints and issues a product label (price label) to be affixed to a container based on an operation after weighing and pricing (after the selling price is displayed), but the operation after weighing and pricing is not limited to this. For example, the weighing device 20 may print and issue an accounting medium (accounting ticket) to be taken to a cash register without being affixed to a container, instead of or in addition to a product label, based on an operation after weighing and pricing. Note that when printing and issuing both a product label and an accounting medium and the accounting medium is to be read as a barcode or the like at the cash register, the barcode or the like is printed on the accounting medium instead of the product label.

[0110] (6) In the above embodiment, the selection (designation) method of a product is described as selection by product button and selection by product number, but the method of selecting a product is not limited to this. For example, a product may be searched and designated by character input, or a product display layout screen (diagram) may be displayed and a product may be selected on the layout screen.

[0111] (7) In the above embodiment, the initial screen does not distinguish between the purchase of a product using a my container and the purchase of a product using a store container, and the container (my container or store container) containing the product to be purchased is placed on the platform 25a. However, the initial screen may allow the operator to select whether the product is purchased using a my container or a store container. In other words, in the above embodiment, the initial screen has two entrances: an entrance for registering my container (my container registration start button 210) and an entrance for purchasing a product common to all containers (placing on the platform 25a). However, the initial screen may have three entrances: an entrance for registering my container, an entrance for purchasing a product using my container (for example, a use my container button for selecting the purchase of a product using my container), and an entrance for purchasing a product using a store container (for example, a use store container button for selecting the purchase of a product using a store container, or placing on the platform 25a).

[0112] In a mode in which three entrances are provided on the initial screen, namely, an entrance for registering a my container (my container registration start button 210), an entrance for purchasing a product using a my container (my container use button), and an entrance for purchasing a product using a store container (store container use button), when the use my container button is operated, a guide is given to place a my container (registered my container) on the platform 25a, and when the use store container button is operated, a user may be allowed to select a type of store container before or after selecting a product. Note that a use store container button for each type of store container may be provided from the beginning (i.e., on the initial screen). In a mode in which three entrances are provided on the initial screen, namely, an entrance for registering a my container (my container registration start button 210), an entrance for purchasing a product using a my container (my container use button), and an entrance for purchasing a product using a store container (placement on platform 25a), when the use my container button is operated, a guide is given to place a my container (registered my container) on the platform 25a, and when the use store container button is operated, a user may be allowed to select a type of store container before or after selecting a product.

[0113] In relation to (8) and (7), a plurality of operation modes may be provided. For example, a normal mode, a my-container registration dedicated mode, and a product purchase dedicated mode may be provided. The normal mode is an operation mode in which both the entrance for registering my container and the entrance for purchasing products common to all containers are enabled on the initial screen. The my-container registration dedicated mode is an operation mode in which the entrance for registering my container is enabled on the initial screen, and the entrance for purchasing products common to all containers is disabled (e.g., weighing after placement is disabled). The product purchase dedicated mode is an operation mode in which the entrance for registering my container is disabled on the initial screen (deleting buttons, disabling button operations), and the entrance for purchasing products common to all containers is enabled. Note that, instead of the product purchase dedicated mode, a my-container product purchase dedicated mode and a store container product purchase dedicated mode may be provided as container-specific operation modes. In addition, the operation mode may be switched via a screen displayed on the weighing device 20 when a store clerk logs in, or may be switched from another device, such as a management device.

[0114] (9) In the above embodiment, the weight information (value) of the my container is written to the wireless tag of the my container when the my container is registered. However, the information written to the wireless tag when the my container is registered is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the weight information, the registration number of the my container (my container identification number that can identify the my container) may be written. For example, the registration date (registration date and time) and the registration expiration date (for example, one year from the time of registration) may be written. For example, information about the registered weighing device 20 (identification information that can identify the registered device) and information about the registered store (identification information that can identify the registered store, etc.) may be written. For example, information about the characteristics of the registered my container (material, shape, color, etc.) may be written. Information about the characteristics of the my container may be obtained by, for example, displaying a screen with a selection field (options) when registering the my container and having the registrant select an option, or by performing image recognition on the captured image captured by the imaging unit. The expiration date takes into account changes to my container over time (gain or loss of weight due to damage, adhesions, etc.), and when the expiration date is reached, I must register it again.

[0115] (10) This also relates to (9), but the information written when registering a personal container may be read appropriately and output as necessary. For example, when purchasing a product using a personal container, the weight information of the personal container may be read, as well as the registration date and expiration date, and if the expiration date is approaching (or has passed), this may be displayed (notified).

[0116] (11) In the above embodiment, information is obtained from a wireless tag when purchasing a product using a personal container. However, when purchasing a product using a personal container, in addition to obtaining information from the wireless tag, information may also be written to the wireless tag. For example, the weighing device 20 may write price information, etc. to the wireless tag instead of or in addition to printing and issuing a product label based on an operation after weighing and pricing. The cash register (registration settlement device, registration-only device) obtains price information, etc. from the wireless tag and settles the payment.

[0117] (12) This is also related to (9) to (11), but when registering a my container, the registration number of the my container (my container identification number) may be written to a wireless tag or the like, and when a product is purchased using the my container (after the product is purchased), the registration number of the my container may be obtained, and actual information on the product purchase (accounting data, etc.) may be stored in the weighing device 20 (or another device, such as a management device installed in the store (not shown) or a cloud server located outside the store) in association with the obtained registration number. In other words, the purchase history for each my container may be managed by the store.

[0118] (13) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which product buttons were displayed without any particular restrictions, but it would also be possible to display product buttons for products that are likely to be operated (designated) (i.e., products that customers have taken out of a container (my container, store container) in the display area (products that can be considered to have been taken out of a container)) and not display product buttons for products other than those that are likely to be operated. This makes it easier to select a product.

[0119] For example, the action of removing a product from each display container may be detectable, and when the action of removing a product from a certain display container is detected, the weighing device 20 may be notified of the action of removing the product. Specifically, a small device having a sensor unit capable of detecting tilt, rotation, etc. and a communication unit capable of outputting information to the outside (e.g., the weighing device 20) is installed in a specific part (a part that moves when a product is removed) of the display container, and when the small device detects tilt, rotation, etc. (when a product contained in the display container in which the small device is installed is removed), it transmits a product removal notification including product identification information (pre-set inside) of the product contained in the display container in which the small device is installed to the weighing device 20. When the weighing device 20 receives the product removal notification, it displays a product button of the product identified by the product identification information included in the product removal notification, and erases it after the operation.

[0120] The weighing device 20 receives a product removal notification for each product removal action. When a product removal notification is received multiple times for a certain product, the weighing device 20 displays the product button for that product multiple times (the display of the product button for one product removal notification disappears with one operation). For example, when a product removal notification is received three times in succession for product A (when product A is removed three times in succession), the weighing device 20 stores the number of times that the product button for product A has been displayed as three, and does not erase the product button for product A after the first or second operation, but erases it after the third operation. This makes it possible to continue displaying the product button for the same product for the number of customers, even if multiple customers remove a certain product within a relatively short period of time. When the interval between removal actions for a certain product is short (for example, less than two seconds), it may be determined that the product is removed once (operated by the same customer).

[0121] Although the example in which the small device is installed in the display container has been described, the display container may have the function of the small device. That is, the display container itself may have a function of detecting the removal of a product and sending a product removal notification to the weighing device 20. The small device may also have a display unit that displays product information (product name, weight unit price, etc.). In other words, an electronic product tag (a small device having a sensor unit that can detect vibrations, etc. and a communication unit that can output information to the weighing device 20) may be placed near each product, and when the electronic product tag detects vibrations (when a product near the product tag is purchased), it may send a product removal notification to the weighing device 20 including product identification information of the product (pre-set inside). A customer (or a store clerk) touches a product tag near a certain product as a declaration of purchase of the product.

[0122] (14) Related to (13), there may be product buttons that are always displayed regardless of whether or not a product removal notification is issued. For example, product buttons for products (e.g., standard products, new products, recommended products) that have been preset by the store (store clerk) may always be displayed. Furthermore, products with high sales rankings may be periodically selected (selected by the weighing device 20 or another device in the store), and product buttons for those top-ranking products may always be displayed. Also, related to (11) above, when a product is purchased using a personal container, the purchase history may be stored in the wireless tag of the personal container, and when a product is subsequently purchased using the personal container, the purchase history may be obtained from the wireless tag, and product buttons for products that the customer has purchased in the past (e.g., within a certain period of time) may always be displayed. Also, related to (12) above, when a product is purchased using a personal container, the weighing device 20 (or other device) may store the purchase history in association with the registration number of that personal container, and when a product is subsequently purchased using that personal container, the registration number of that personal container may be obtained from the wireless tag, and the purchase history corresponding to that registration number may be obtained from the weighing device 20 (or other device), and product buttons for products that the customer has purchased in the past (for example, within a certain period of time in the past) may always be displayed.

[0123] (15) In the above embodiment, an example in which the screen is appropriately switched according to the progress of the process has been described, but a small screen may be displayed instead of or in addition to switching the screen. As an example, in the above embodiment, when the label issuance instruction button 232 is operated on the label issuance instruction screen of Fig. 6(B), the label issuance completion screen of Fig. 6(C) is displayed instead of the label issuance instruction screen, but when the label issuance instruction button 232 is operated on the label issuance instruction screen of Fig. 6(B), a small screen similar to the label issuance completion screen of Fig. 6(C) (a small screen displaying an image instructing the user to affix the issued product label to their own container and take it to the register) may be displayed in front of the label issuance instruction screen.

[0124] (16) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which various operations were accepted via soft keys (buttons) on the screen, but the weighing device 20 may be provided with an operation acceptance unit having one or more hard keys, and various operations may be accepted via the hard keys instead of or in addition to the soft keys. As an example, a product label may be issued when a specific key on the operation acceptance unit is operated instead of or in addition to the label issuance instruction button 232. In the case of a soft key, if the operation of the key is invalid, there may be no response after the operation or an error may be displayed, or the key may be hidden so that the operation itself cannot be performed. However, in the case of a hard key, since it is always operable, there may be no response after the operation or an error may be displayed when the operation of the key is invalid.

[0125] (17) The functions realized by the weighing device 20 may be realized by a plurality of devices. For example, in the above description, the weighing device 20 is equipped with the wireless tag reader / writer 29, but the weighing device may be configured with a weighing device that does not have the wireless tag reader / writer 29 and another device that has the wireless tag reader / writer 29. In addition, in the above description, the weighing device 20 is equipped with the printer 28, but the weighing device may be configured with a weighing device that does not have the printer 28 and another device that has the printer 28. In the above description, the weighing device 20 is equipped with the weighing device and calculates the selling price based on the weighed value, etc., but the weighing device may be configured with a weighing device that weighs and another device that calculates the selling price based on the weighed value, etc., by the weighing device.

[0126] (18) Some or all of the functions of the weighing device 20 (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) may be realized by other devices. For example, at least some of the processes described using the flowcharts of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 as the processes of the weighing device 20 may be executed by other devices installed in the store (e.g., cash registers such as registration settlement devices and registration-only devices, management devices (not shown) that manage the cash registers, store controllers (not shown) that communicate with the outside, etc.), or other devices installed outside (e.g., a headquarters server (not shown) installed at the headquarters, a cloud server (not shown) installed at a data center, etc.). In relation to (17) above, the weighing device 20 may be specialized for the weighing function. For example, the weighing device 20 may receive various inputs (customer operations, The weighing device 20 may receive information (output results from the weighing unit 25), transmit input information (operation information, weighing values, etc.) to the cloud server 20, receive processing results (updated screen information, etc.) processed by the cloud server 20, and perform operations (display, etc.). In other words, the cloud server 20 may execute a program for controlling the operation of the weighing device 20. The screen information displayed by the weighing device 20 may also be generated by the cloud server 20. For example, the various screens displayed by the weighing device 20 (the screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) may be web pages provided by the cloud server 20 for the weighing device 20 (web pages to which access from other devices is prohibited).

[0127] The embodiments will be summarized below. [Technical field] The present invention relates to a metering device. [Background technology] For example, a system is known that sells products by weighing them (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Publication No. 6-50740 [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, there is room for improvement in metered sales. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving metered sales. [Means for solving the problem] (1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a device that includes a weighing means (e.g., weighing unit 25) that weighs a mass (e.g., the weight of a container that is a container or a product), a display means (e.g., touch display 26) that displays the mass, an output means (e.g., a wireless tag, a sticker) that outputs the mass of a container (e.g., my container) weighed by the weighing means (e.g., the weight of an unregistered my container when the weighing unit 25 weighs an unregistered my container) to a medium (e.g., a wireless tag, a sticker) (e.g., a wireless tag reading unit 29 that writes weight information of the my container to a wireless tag, a printing unit 28 that outputs a sticker on which a barcode or the like that encodes the weight information of the my container is printed), and an acquisition means (e.g., a wireless tag, a sticker) that can acquire the mass of the container from the medium. and a scanner unit 24 that recognizes weight information of my container from a barcode or the like printed on a sticker, and the display means, when the weighing means has measured a mass and the acquisition means has acquired a mass of a container (for example, weight information of a registered my container), displays the acquired mass of the container (for example, "66 (g)" in the container weight display field 201 of the product selection screen of Figure 6(A)), and when the weighing means has measured a mass but the acquisition means has not acquired a mass of a container, displays the measured mass (for example, "352 (g)" in the net weight / measured value display field 202 of the product selection screen of Figure 7(A)).

[0128] According to (1), sales by weight are improved. For example, it is possible to immediately confirm that the weight information of one's container has been reflected (acquired) in the weighing device 20.

[0129] (2) A weighing device as described in (1) is characterized in that it is equipped with a container designation means capable of accepting the designation of a container (for example, the container selection screen in FIG. 7(B) or the processing of step S35 in FIG. 9), and the container designation means accepts the designation of a container when the weighing means has measured a mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container (for example, in the case of step S22 (NO) in FIG. 8) (for example, by displaying the container selection screen in the processing of step S35 in FIG. 9), and the display means displays the mass of the container for which the designation has been accepted (for example, after execution of the processing of step S36 in FIG. 9) when the container designation means accepts the designation of a container (for example, after execution of the processing of step S36 in FIG. 9).

[0130] According to (2), sales by weight are improved. For example, even if a customer has not yet registered his / her own container or has forgotten to bring his / her own container (registered my container), he / she can still purchase products by using the store container installed in the store. Furthermore, by using the store container, he / she can purchase a quantity of products (same type of products) that exceeds the capacity of his / her own container (registered my container) or a variety of products (different types of products) that exceeds the number of his / her own containers (registered my containers) in one visit to the store.

[0131] (3) The weighing device described in (2) is characterized in that the display means distinguishably displays the mass of the container when the acquisition means acquires the mass of the container and the mass of the container when the container designation means accepts the designation of a container (for example, by displaying distinguishably by thickness, color, image, letter, or symbol).

[0132] According to (3), sales by weight are improved. For example, it is possible to easily confirm that the weight information of one's container has been reflected (acquired) in the weighing device 20.

[0133] (4) A weighing device as described in (2) or (3), characterized in that it is equipped with an accounting data generation means (e.g., CPU 21) for generating accounting data (e.g., data for accounting), and when the container designation means accepts the designation of a container, the accounting data generation means calculates a selling price based on the mass (e.g., the weight (net weight) of the product) obtained by subtracting the mass of the container for which the designation was accepted from the mass measured by the weighing means (the selling price is calculated by multiplying the weight (net weight) of the product by the unit price by weight), and generates accounting data including the calculated selling amount and the selling price of the container for which the designation was accepted.

[0134] (4) Improves sales by weight. For example, barcode scanning for container fees and container selection at the downstream device (cash register) are no longer necessary.

[0135] (5) A weighing device as described in any of (1) to (4), comprising a product designation means capable of accepting product designation via a product button corresponding to the product, and a receiving means for receiving product identification information capable of identifying a product from an external device (e.g., a small device), wherein the product designation means accepts product designation via the product button for a product identified by the product identification information received by the receiving means.

[0136] According to (5), volume sales will be improved. For example, product selection (designation) will be made easier.

[0137] (6) A weighing device as described in any of (1) to (4), further comprising a product designation means capable of accepting product designation via a product button corresponding to the product and via an input field for inputting information about the product (e.g., a product number) (e.g., via the product selection screen of Figure 6 (A) or Figure 7 (B)).

[0138] According to (6), sales by weight are improved. For example, product selection (designation) becomes easier. For example, in the case of similar products (such as chocolates that differ in the origin of cacao or simply in the cacao content), the display of the product buttons tends to be similar, so it is convenient to have a method for inputting the product number in the input field. Also, in the case of a mode in which the product button is displayed in conjunction with the removal of a product (the product button is displayed in response to a product removal notification) and is erased in response to an operation, for example, it is possible that the necessary product button is not displayed due to a detection failure, etc., but even in such a case, the product number can be entered in the input field and the process can proceed.

[0139] (7) The weighing device described in any of (1) to (6) is characterized in that the display means displays a screen (e.g., Figure 5(A)) that guides the operator in placing the product and can accept an operator's instruction to output the weight of the container to the medium, and if the weighing means measures the weight while the screen is displayed, provides guidance on specifying the product (e.g., Figure 6(A), Figure 7(A)), and if the instruction is accepted, provides guidance on measuring the weight of the container to be output to the medium (e.g., Figure 5(B), Figure 5(C)).

[0140] According to (7), sales by weight are improved. For example, when a registered my container is placed on the counter, a product selection screen is displayed, and when the my container registration start button 210 is pressed, a screen for registering my container is displayed, so that the number of operations is reduced and the system is intuitively easy to understand.

[0141] The program for implementing the above-described weighing device 20 and the like may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to storage devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The above-mentioned program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above-mentioned program may be for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 20...Measuring device 21...CPU 22...ROM 23…RAM 24…Scanner section 25…Measuring part 26…Touch display 27…Audio output section 28…Printing Department 29…Radio tag reading section

Claims

1. A measuring means for measuring a mass; a display means for displaying the mass; an output means for outputting the mass of the container weighed by the weighing means to a medium; An acquisition means for acquiring the mass of the container from the medium; A container designation means capable of accepting the designation of a container; Equipped with The display means includes: When the weighing means has measured the mass and the acquisition means has acquired the mass of the container, the acquired mass of the container is displayed; When the weighing means has measured the mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container, the measured mass is displayed; Furthermore, the display of the container mass when the acquiring means acquires the container mass and the display of the container mass when the container designation means accepts the designation of the container are displayed in a distinguishable manner. A weighing device characterized by:

2. A measuring means for measuring a mass; a display means for displaying the mass; an output means for outputting the mass of the container weighed by the weighing means to a medium; an acquisition means capable of acquiring the mass of a container from the medium; Equipped with The display means includes: When the weighing means has measured the mass and the acquisition means has acquired the mass of the container, the acquired mass of the container is displayed; When the weighing means has measured the mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container, the measured mass is displayed; Furthermore, a screen is displayed that can receive an instruction from an operator to guide the operator in placing the product and output the weight of the container to the medium; When the weighing means measures the mass while the screen is displayed, the display device provides guidance on specifying the product, and when the display device receives the instruction, the display device provides guidance on measuring the mass of the container to be output to the medium. A weighing device characterized by:

3. The container designation means is accepts the designation of a container when the weighing means has measured the mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container; The display means includes: When the container designation means accepts the designation of a container, the mass of the container that has been designated is displayed.

2. The weighing device according to claim 1 .

4. A container specification method that can accept container specification Equipped with The container designation means is accepts the designation of a container when the weighing means has measured the mass but the acquisition means has not acquired the mass of the container; The display means includes: When the container designation means accepts the designation of a container, the mass of the container that has been designated is displayed.

3. A weighing device as claimed in claim 2.

5. Accounting data generating means for generating accounting data Equipped with The accounting data generation means When the container designation means accepts the designation of a container, a selling price is calculated based on the mass obtained by subtracting the mass of the container for which the designation was accepted from the mass measured by the weighing means, and accounting data is generated that includes the calculated selling price and the selling price of the container for which the designation was accepted.

5. A weighing device according to claim 1, 3 or 4.

6. a product designation means capable of accepting designation of a product via a product button corresponding to the product; A receiving means for receiving product identification information capable of identifying a product from an external device. Equipped with The product designation means includes: A product designation is accepted via the product button for the product identified by the product identification information received by the receiving means.

6. A weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Product specification means capable of accepting product specification Equipped with The product designation means includes: It is possible to accept the specification of a product via a product button corresponding to the product, and the specification of a product via an input field for inputting information about the product.

6. A weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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