Bag filling equipment

Abstract

To provide a bagging device saved in bagging labor.SOLUTION: A bagging device has a commodity loading part having an inclined plane 142 and loading the commodity, an openable and closable door 148 provided at the lowest part of the inclined plane 142, positioning the commodity loaded on the commodity loading part in a closed state and allowing sliding movement of the loaded commodity outside along the inclined plane 142 in an open state, and a storing mechanism 30 dropping the moved commodity inside a storing body set to a sliding destination of the commodity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to a bagging machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, self-service POS terminals have become common in mass retailers, convenience stores, clothing stores and other outlets. When a customer places a basket containing items to be purchased at the checkout area, the terminals automatically read the wireless tags attached to the items and perform product registration and payment processing.

[0003] With such self-service POS terminals, customers are required to place the items they have paid for from the basket into a bag or other such bag themselves, which is time-consuming. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a bagging device that can reduce the labor required for bagging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The bagging device of the embodiment includes a product placement section having an inclined surface on which products are placed, an openable door provided at the bottom of the inclined surface, which, when closed, determines the position of the product placed on the product placement section and, when open, allows the product placed on the product to be moved to the outside along the inclined surface, and a storage mechanism that drops the moved product into a storage body set at the destination of the product. an antenna provided on at least one of the inclined surface, the left side surface of the inclined surface, and the right side surface of the inclined surface for receiving information from a wireless tag attached to the product; and a control unit for opening the door on the condition that a payment process for the product has been executed based on the information received by the antenna; Equipped with. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-service POS terminal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the basket. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the basket. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process of the self-checkout POS terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal (modification). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal (modification). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a self-service POS terminal installed in a store such as a supermarket, a home improvement store, a clothing store, or a convenience store (in the embodiment, a clothing store is used as an example) will be described as an example of a bagging device. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0008] A clothing store is a store that sells clothing. A customer receives a basket (an example of a storage unit) for storing items at the entrance of the store. The customer places the items, such as clothes, they wish to purchase in the basket (store them in the basket) while in the store. Wireless tags (e.g., RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags) are attached to all items in the store. The self-service POS terminal is operated by the customer himself. When a customer places a basket containing items on the item placement unit and operates start key 1651 (see FIG. 6), the self-service POS terminal receives radio waves containing information about the items stored in the basket, which are transmitted from the wireless tags attached to the items stored in the basket, and acquires item codes (item identification information that identifies the items).

[0009] The self-service POS terminal is a device that performs product registration processing for the product based on the acquired product code, and also performs payment processing for the transaction. The self-service POS terminal also performs bagging processing for the paid product.

[0010] The product registration process includes a process of retrieving product information such as the product name and price of the product based on the acquired product code from product master 542 (see FIG. 6), displaying it on display unit 161 (see FIGS. 1 and 6), and storing it in product information unit 531 (see FIG. 6). The payment process refers to a process of displaying the total amount and change amount (hereinafter referred to as "payment information") related to a transaction with a customer based on the product information of the product registered, and making a payment using, for example, a credit card or application software installed on a mobile terminal. The payment process includes a process of issuing a receipt on which the product information of the paid product and the payment information are printed.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a self-service POS terminal according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the self-service POS terminal 10 includes a main body 12, a product placement unit 14, and an operation unit 16. The main body 12 stores a power supply unit and accessories of the self-service POS terminal 10. The main body 12 also stores a storage mechanism 30, which will be described later.

[0012] The product placement section 14 is a platform on which the basket 20 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is placed. The product placement section 14 includes a bottom surface section 141, a left side surface section 144, a right side surface section 146, and a door 148. The bottom surface section 141 is a substantially flat surface constituting the bottom surface of the product placement section 14. The bottom surface section 141 has an inclined surface 142. The inclined surface 142 is a gradually descending inclined surface (flat surface) from the front side (front side) of the self-service POS terminal 10 to the back side (back side). In other words, the inclined surface 142 is a gradually descending inclined surface in the direction of the arrow 150. The position of the backmost side (lowest position) of the inclined surface 142 is the lowest part 149. The lowest part 149 is the lowest position of the inclined surface 142. An antenna 143 is embedded in the inclined surface 142. The antenna 143 receives radio waves that are transmitted from wireless tags attached to the products placed on the product placement section 14 and that include information for identifying the products (individual items).

[0013] The left side surface portion 144 is a surface that constitutes the left side surface of the product placement portion 14. The left side surface portion 144 stands at a substantially right angle from the left end portion of the bottom surface portion 141. An antenna 145 is embedded in the left side surface portion 144. The antenna 145 receives radio waves that are transmitted by wireless tags attached to the products placed on the product placement portion 14 and that include information that identifies the products (individual products).

[0014] The right side surface portion 146 is a surface that constitutes the right side surface of the product placement portion 14. The right side surface portion 146 stands at a substantially right angle from the right end portion of the bottom surface portion 141. An antenna 147 is embedded in the right side surface portion 146. The antenna 147 receives radio waves that are transmitted by wireless tags attached to the products placed on the product placement portion 14 and that include information that identifies the products (individual products).

[0015] The door 148 is provided at the bottom 149 of the product placement section 14. The door 148 can move up and down by rotation of a motor 167 (see FIG. 6 ). When the door 148 is located at the lower position, the door 148 is in a closed state. The closed state refers to a state in which the door 148 is closed and the products placed on the product placement section 14 remain on the inclined surface 142. When the door 148 is in a closed state, the basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14 abuts against the door 148 at the bottom 149. By the basket 20 abutting against the door 148 at the bottom 149, the basket 20 and the products stored in the basket 20 are positioned in the product placement section 14.

[0016] Moreover, when the door 148 is located at the upper position, the door 148 is in an open state. The open state refers to a state in which the door 148 is raised upward and the products stored in the basket 20 can slide (slide down) along the inclined surface 142. When the door 148 is in the open state, the opening / closing part 23 of the basket 20 is opened, and the products stored in the basket 20 can slide along the inclined surface 142, as will be described in detail later.

[0017] The operation unit 16 includes a display unit 161, an operation unit 165, a printer 166, a code reading unit 163, and a payment terminal 164. The display unit 161 displays information to the customer. The display unit 161 displays product information of a product to be purchased by the customer (a product stored in a basket 20 placed on the product placement unit 14) based on information received by, for example, the antenna 143, the antenna 145, and the antenna 147. The display unit 161 also displays images of various keys, which will be described later. The operation unit 165 is, for example, a touch panel provided on the display unit 161. By operating the touch panel at a position corresponding to a key displayed on the display unit 161, the operation unit 165 fulfills the role of that key.

[0018] The printer 166 issues a receipt on which product information and payment information related to the product for which payment has been processed are printed. The code reading unit 163 is a camera or optical scanner that reads a code (e.g., a two-dimensional code) displayed on a mobile terminal (not shown) when making an application software payment using the mobile terminal. The payment terminal 164 is a terminal that is operated when making a payment using, for example, a credit card or an electronic money card.

[0019] A customer places the basket 20 containing the products to be purchased on the product placement section 14. The basket 20 is placed on the inclined surface 142 of the product placement section 14. Therefore, the basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14 is placed tilted toward the back side by the inclination angle of the inclined surface 142. The basket 20 slides down the inclined surface 142 and abuts against the door 148 in the closed state at the bottom 149. The basket 20 is positioned at a position where it abuts against the door 148. This position is the optimum position for the antennas 143, 145, and 147 to receive radio waves from the wireless tags attached to the products stored in the basket 20.

[0020] Next, the customer operates the operation unit 165. In response to the customer's operation, the self-service POS terminal 10 receives information from the wireless tag attached to the product stored in the basket 20. The self-service POS terminal 10 then acquires a product code based on the received wireless tag information, and executes product registration processing for the product. Next, the customer selects the medium to use for payment. The self-service POS terminal 10 executes the payment processing using the selected medium.

[0021] Next, the customer selects whether or not a bag is required to put the purchased items in. When the customer selects that a bag is required, the self-service POS terminal 10 moves the closed door 148 upward to open it. As the door 148 moves upward, the opening / closing section 23 of the basket 20 moves upward and is opened. Then, the items stored in the basket 20 slide along the inclined surface 142 and drop into the bag 33 that has been set, and are stored in the bag 33. The setting of the bag 33 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the basket 20 will be described. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are perspective views showing the configuration of the basket 20. The basket 20 is formed, for example, from a resin material. The basket 20 has a storage section 21 and a handle 22. The storage section 21 is a concave-shaped box body with an open top capable of storing products therein. The handle 22 is attached to the top of the storage section 21 so as to be freely rotatable. A customer uses the basket 20 by holding the handle 22.

[0023] Furthermore, the basket 20 is provided with an opening / closing section 23 on one side of the storage section 21. The opening / closing section 23 is capable of moving up and down. Fig. 2 shows a closed state in which the opening / closing section 23 has moved downward. Fig. 3 shows an open state in which the opening / closing section 23 has moved upward (in the direction of arrow 25). When the opening / closing section 23 is in the open state, the basket 20 has an opening 26 formed on one side of the storage section 21. Products stored in the basket 20 can be moved to the outside through the opening 26.

[0024] In the closed state, the opening / closing part 23 forms one side surface of the storage part 21. Therefore, when the opening / closing part 23 is in the closed state, the products stored in the basket 20 do not move outward. The opening / closing part 23 maintains the closed state by its own weight. Alternatively, the opening / closing part 23 maintains the closed state by being biased downward (in the opposite direction to the arrow 25) by a biasing member.

[0025] The opening / closing unit 23 has a protrusion 24 on its outer surface. When the basket 20 is placed on the product placement unit 14 and abuts against the door 148 (i.e., when the basket 20 is positioned at the lowest part 149), the protrusion 24 engages with a recess 151 (see Figs. 4 and 5) provided on the door 148 (the protrusion 24 fits into the recess 151). When the door 148 moves upward and is opened, the opening / closing unit 23 moves upward together with the door 148 and is opened, and the opening 26 is formed. Note that a rail (not shown) is formed on the basket 20, and the opening / closing unit 23 moves up and down by moving along the rail.

[0026] Next, a bag mechanism provided inside the self-service POS terminal 10 and the sliding movement of products into the bag will be described. Figures 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal 10. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal 10 with the door 148 in a closed state. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the self-service POS terminal 10 with the door 148 in an open state.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the self-service POS terminal 10 includes a storage mechanism 30. The storage mechanism 30 is provided inside the self-service POS terminal 10, below the product placement section 14 and the door 148. The storage mechanism 30 includes a guide section 31 and a bag opening mechanism 35. The guide section 31 is a member for setting a plurality of bags 32 in a folded state, and is, for example, a pair of rails. The bags 32 are set in the guide section 31, for example, by hooking a handle 321 that holds the bags 32 onto the guide section 31.

[0028] Guide portion 31 is inclined in the same direction and at approximately the same angle as inclined surface 142, with one end 34 located on the front side of self-service POS terminal 10 and the other end 37 located on the rear side of self-service POS terminal 10. That is, guide portion 31 is attached with a downward incline at approximately the same angle as inclined surface 142 from one end 34 toward other end 37. Bag 32 is set in guide portion 31 from one end 34, and is guided toward other end 37 (in the direction of arrow T). Bag 32 may be guided by the weight of bag 32 itself, or by a pushing mechanism (not shown) that pushes bag 32 in the direction of arrow T.

[0029] Moreover, the bag opening mechanism 35 is a device that opens the bag 32 that has been guided to a predetermined position from a folded state to an open state. The predetermined position is the position to which the product P in the basket 20 will slide and fall when the door 148 is opened. That is, the bag opening mechanism 35 opens the folded bag 32 that is located at the position to which the product P in the basket 20 will slide and fall. The opening of the bag 32 by the bag opening mechanism 35 is performed, for example, by the bag opening mechanism 35 gripping the handle 321 and opening the bag 32.

[0030] Bag 32 is changed from a folded state to an open state. In Fig. 4, the folded bag is bag 32, and the open bag is bag 33. By opening the bag 33, falling products P can easily fall into the bag 33. Products that slide and move fall into the bag 33 and are packed in the bag. Bag 33 with products P packed in it is guided to product removal opening 36, provided on the back side of self-service POS terminal 10, from which bag 33 can be removed.

[0031] In the state shown in Fig. 4, the door 148 is closed. When the basket 20 is placed on the product placement section 14, the inclined surface 142 of the basket 20 comes into contact with the door 148 at the lowest part 149. In this state, the protrusion 24 engages with the recess 151. Fig. 4 shows the state in which the protrusion 24 and the recess 151 are engaged. Meanwhile, the bag 32 located at the drop position of the product P is opened by the bag opening mechanism 35 and becomes bag 33.

[0032] When a bag is required, as described later, the motor 167 rotates and the door 148 moves upward. At this time, since the protrusion 24 and the recess 151 are engaged, the opening / closing section 23 moves upward in conjunction with the upward movement of the door 148. That is, the door 148 and the opening / closing section 23 are in an open state, and an opening 26 is formed in the basket 20. FIG. 5 shows the state in which the door 148 and the opening / closing section 23 are in an open state. In the state of FIG. 5, since the basket 20 is inclined by the inclined surface 142, the product P stored in the basket 20 slides outward from the opening 26 and falls into the opened bag 33. In this way, the product P stored in the basket 20 is automatically packed into the bag 33. The bag 33 with the product P packed in it is guided to the product take-out opening 36 by the guide section 31. The customer moves to the rear side of the self-service POS terminal 10 and receives the bag 33 located at the product take-out opening 36.

[0033] Although details will be described later, a customer who does not need the product P packed in a bag can operate the self-service POS terminal 10 so that the product P is not packed in a bag.

[0034] Next, the hardware configuration of the self-service POS terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the self-service POS terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the self-service POS terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a memory unit 54, and the like. The CPU 51 is a control body. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 54 stores various programs. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the memory unit 54 are connected to one another via a bus 55. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 constitute a control unit 500. That is, the control unit 500 executes a control process of the self-service POS terminal 10, which will be described later, by the CPU 51 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 52 or the memory unit 54 and expanded in the RAM 53.

[0035] The RAM 53 includes a product information section 531. The product information section 531 stores product information (product code, product name, product price, etc.) of the product P that has been registered.

[0036] The memory unit 54 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and stores a control program unit 541 that stores a control program for controlling the self-service POS terminal 10, and a product master 542. The product master 542 stores product information of the product P in association with a product code that identifies the product P.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 500 is connected to the operation unit 165, the display unit 161, the payment terminal 164, the printer 166, the code reading unit 163, and the motor 167 via the bus 55 and the controller 56. The controller 56 receives instructions from the control unit 500 and controls the operation unit 165, the display unit 161, the payment terminal 164, the printer 166, and the card reader 168. However, for convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 56 will be explained as being performed by the control unit 500.

[0038] The operation unit 165 is a touch panel equipped with a keyboard including, for example, a start key 1651, an end key 1652, a bag required key 1653, a bag not required key 1654, and the like, and is operated by a customer who is an operator of the self-service POS terminal 10. The start key 1651 is operated when starting to use the self-service POS terminal 10. The end key 1652 is operated when making a payment at the self-service POS terminal 10. The bag required key 1653 is operated when a bag 32 is required and the product P is to be automatically bagged in the bag 32. The bag not required key 1654 is operated when a bag 32 is not required and the product P is not to be bagged in the bag 32. For example, when a customer has brought a reusable bag or the like, the bag not required key 1654 is operated. When the bag not required key 1654 is operated, the self-service POS terminal 10 does not perform the process of bagging the product P. The motor 167 is a motor that rotates to move the door 148 upward and downward.

[0039] The control unit 500 is also connected to a communication unit 57 via a bus 55. The communication unit 57 is connected to a server and other self-service POS terminals 10 (neither of which are shown) installed in the store via a communication line (not shown). The communication unit 57 transmits and receives information to and from the server and other self-service POS terminals 10 via the communication line L.

[0040] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 10. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 500 of the self-service POS terminal 10 functions as a reading means 501, a payment means 502, a bag necessity selection determination means 503, and a door opening means 504 by following a control program stored in the ROM 52 or a control program unit 541 of the memory unit 54.

[0041] The reading means 501 reads information identifying the product P transmitted from a wireless tag attached to the product P stored in the basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14. Specifically, the reading means 501 reads information identifying the product P stored in the basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14 based on information identifying the product P received by any one or all of the antennas 143, 145, and 147.

[0042] The payment means 502 executes a payment process based on the information of the product P read by the reading means 501. Specifically, the payment means 502 executes a payment process for the product P that has been registered based on the information of the product P read by the reading means 501.

[0043] Bag necessity selection determination means 503 determines whether a bag is required or not selected by the customer. Specifically, bag necessity selection determination means 503 determines whether a bag is required key 1653 or a bag is not required key 1654 displayed on display unit 161 is operated.

[0044] Door opening means 504 opens door 148. Specifically, door opening means 504 rotates motor 167 to open door 148. More specifically, when door opening means 504 determines that a bag is required by bag necessity selection determination means 503, door opening means 504 rotates motor 167 to open door 148. When door opening means 504 determines that a bag is not required by bag necessity selection determination means 503, door opening means 504 does not open door 148. More specifically, when door opening means 504 determines that a bag is required key 1653 is operated by bag necessity selection determination means 503, door opening means 504 rotates motor 167 to open door 148. When door opening means 504 determines that a bag is not required key 1654 is operated by bag necessity selection determination means 503, door opening means 504 does not open door 148. Door opening means 504 also opens door 148 on the condition that a payment process has been executed.

[0045] Next, the control of the self-service POS terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control process of the self-service POS terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 500 of the self-service POS terminal 10 judges whether the start key 1651 corresponding to the image of the start key displayed on the display unit 161 has been operated (S11). The control unit 500 waits until the start key 1651 is operated (No in S11), and when it is judged that the start key 1651 has been operated (Yes in S11), the reading unit 501 activates the antennas 143, 145, and 147 to read information identifying the product P transmitted from the wireless tag attached to the product P stored in the basket 20 placed on the product placement unit 14 (S12). Specifically, the reading unit 501 reads information identifying the product P based on information received by the antennas 143, 145, and 147. Based on the information of the product P read by the reading means 501, the control unit 500 executes a product registration process for the product P, and stores the product information of the product P that has been registered in the product information unit 531.

[0046] Next, the control unit 500 judges whether the reading means 501 has finished reading the information identifying the product P (S13). For example, the control unit 500 judges the end of reading when the reading means 501 continues to read the information identifying the product P for a predetermined period of time. The control unit 500 waits until it judges that the reading has finished (No in S13), and when it judges that the reading has finished (Yes in S13), the control unit 500 displays an image of an end key on the display unit 161 (S14). The customer checks the product information displayed on the display unit 161, and when the product information of all products is displayed, operates the end key 1652 corresponding to the image of the end key.

[0047] Next, the control unit 500 judges whether the end key 1652 has been operated (S15). The control unit 500 waits until the end key 1652 has been operated (No in S15), and if it is judged that the end key 1652 has been operated (Yes in S15), the payment means 502 executes the payment process for the product P based on the product information stored in the product information unit 531 after the product registration process (S16).

[0048] Next, the control unit 500 displays an image of a bag required key and an image of a bag not required key on the display unit 161 (S21). If the customer wants the purchased product P to be automatically bagged in a bag 32 provided in the self-service POS terminal 10, the customer operates the bag required key 1653 corresponding to the image of the bag required key. On the other hand, if the customer does not want the purchased product P to be bagged in a bag 32 provided in the self-service POS terminal 10 (i.e., the bag 32 itself is not required), the customer operates the bag not required key 1654 corresponding to the image of the bag not required key.

[0049] Next, the bag necessity selection determination means 503 determines whether the bag necessity key 1653 has been operated (S22). If it is determined that the bag necessity key 1653 has been operated (Yes in S22), the door opening means 504 rotates the motor 167 to move the door 148 upward and open it (S23). At this time, the opening / closing unit 23 also moves upward in conjunction with the door 148. In this state, the product P stored in the basket 20 slides through the opening 26 and falls into the open bag 33. That is, the product P is automatically packed into the bag 33.

[0050] Next, the control unit 500 rotates the motor 167 to move the door 148 downward to the closed state (S24). At this time, the opening / closing unit 23 also moves downward. The process of S24 by the control unit 500 may be performed, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the process of S23, or may be performed when a sensor (not shown) determines that no product P remains in the basket 20. Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in S22 that the bag required key 1653 has not been operated (No in S22), the bag required / unrequired selection determination means 503 determines whether the bag not required key 1654 has been operated (S25). If it is determined that the bag not required key 1654 has been operated (Yes in S25), the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S11. That is, the control unit 500 does not perform the process of bagging the products stored in the basket 20. Also, if it is determined that the bag not required key 1654 has not been operated (No in S25), the control unit 500 returns to S22.

[0052] The self-service POS terminal 10 of this embodiment comprises a product placement section 14 having an inclined surface 142 on which a product P is placed, an openable and closable door 148 provided at the bottom 149 of the inclined surface 142, which determines the position of a basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14 when the door 148 is closed and enables a product P stored in a basket 20 placed in an open state to slide out along the inclined surface 142, and a storage mechanism 30 which drops the slid product P into the inside of a bag 33 set at the destination of the product P.

[0053] The self-service POS terminal 10 of this embodiment automatically packs the products P stored in the basket 20 into the bag 33. This saves the customer the trouble of packing the products P into a bag.

[0054] From here, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. Figures 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing the inside of a modified example of the embodiment. Note that Figure 9 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4, and Figure 10 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 5. In the modified example, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as in the embodiment, and the description will be simplified or omitted.

[0055] 9, the cage 20 is in contact with the door 152. In this state, the door 152 and the opening / closing unit 27 are provided with metal parts, and the metal parts are attracted to each other by the attractive force of a magnet provided on the door 152, for example, so that the door 152 and the opening / closing unit 27 stick to each other.

[0056] In the embodiment, the door 148 moves upward by the rotation of the motor 167, but in the modified example, the door 152 rotates about the rotation fulcrum 1521 by the rotation of the motor 167. Specifically, the door 152 rotates about the rotation fulcrum 1521 in the downward inclination direction of the inclined surface 142 (the direction of the arrow 43 in FIG. 10) to an angle that is approximately parallel to the inclined surface 142 as a movement corresponding to the upward movement of the door 148, and becomes an open state (state in FIG. 10). The door 152 also rotates to an angle that is approximately perpendicular to the inclined surface 142 (the direction opposite to the arrow 43) and becomes a closed state (state in FIG. 9). The opening / closing unit 27 also rotates about the fulcrum 271. The opening / closing unit 27 functions as the storage unit 21 of the basket 20 in the closed state. Opening / closing unit 27 rotates about fulcrum 271 in the downward inclination direction of inclined surface 142 (the direction of arrow 43 in FIG. 10) to an angle approximately parallel to inclined surface 142, and enters the open state (the state in FIG. 10). When opening / closing unit 27 enters the open state, the products stored in basket 20 can slide along inclined surface 142.

[0057] 9 shows the state in which the door 152 has rotated to the right about the rotation fulcrum 1521 and is in the closed state. In this state, the basket 20 is positioned by abutting against the door 152. The opening / closing unit 27 is attracted to and attached to the door 152 by a magnet provided on the door 152, but the opening / closing unit 27 is in the closed state and serves as a part of the storage unit 21.

[0058] 10 shows the state in which the door 152 has rotated to the left about the rotation fulcrum 1521 and is in an open state. When the door 152 rotates outward, the opening / closing part 27, which is attracted by the magnet, rotates in a direction away from the basket 20 in conjunction with the door 152 and is in an open state. In this state, an opening 26 is formed in the basket 20. Then, the product P stored in the basket 20 slides along the upper surface 272 of the opening / closing part 27 released from the opening 26, falls into the inside of the opened bag 33, and is packed in the bag 33.

[0059] Note that upper surface 272 of opening / closing part 27 is treated to reduce friction with product P as it slides. Upper surface 272 of opening / closing part 27 is, for example, treated with a coating to reduce friction. Furthermore, for example, upper surface 272 itself is formed of a low-friction material. Furthermore, low friction may be achieved, for example, by forming rollers on upper surface 272 of opening / closing part 27 that rotate in the sliding direction of product P.

[0060] In this way, the modified self-service POS terminal 10 comprises a product placement section 14 having an inclined surface 142 on which product P is placed, an openable and closable door 152 provided at the bottom 149 of the inclined surface 142, which determines the position of the basket 20 placed on the product placement section 14 when the door 152 is closed and enables the product P stored in the basket 20 placed in the open state to slide out along the inclined surface 142, and a storage mechanism 30 which drops the slid product P into the inside of a bag 33 set at the destination of the product P.

[0061] The self-service POS terminal 10 of such a modified example automatically packs the products P stored in the basket 20 into the bag 33. This can save the customer the trouble of packing the products P into a bag.

[0062] The control process of the self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8 is also applied to the modified example. That is, in S23, the door opening means 504 rotates and opens the door 152. In addition, in S24, the control unit 500 rotates and closes the door 152 in the opposite direction to S23.

[0063] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments, modifications, and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment and the modified example, the basket 20 is placed on the product placement section 14. However, this is not limiting, and the product P may be placed directly on the product placement section 14. In other words, the basket 20 is not essential. If the product P is placed directly on the product placement section 14, when the door 148 or the door 152 is in the open state, the product P placed on the product placement section 14 slides through the opening 26 and falls into the bag 33 to be packed in the bag.

[0065] In the embodiment and the modified example, the bagging process is automatically executed when the bag required key 1653 is operated, and the bagging process is not executed when the bag not required key 1654 is operated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the bagging process may be executed whenever a payment process is executed.

[0066] In addition, in the embodiment and the modified example, the three antennas, the antenna 143, the antenna 145, and the antenna 147, are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number and mounting positions of the antennas may be determined appropriately.

[0067] In addition, in the embodiment and the modified example, the self-service POS terminal 10 has been described as an example of a bagging device. However, the bagging device is not limited to this, and does not necessarily have to have a mechanism and function for reading wireless tags such as an antenna, or a function for performing product registration processing and payment processing.

[0068] In the embodiment and the modified example, after the payment process in S16 is completed, an image of the bag required key and an image of the bag not required key are displayed in S21. Then, the judgments in S22 and S25 are made. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the payment process in S16 may be executed after the judgments in S22 and S25. In this case, if it is determined in S22 that a bag is required, a payment process including the cost of a bag (charged) can be executed thereafter. Also, if it is determined in S25 that a bag is not required, a payment process not including the cost of a bag can be executed thereafter.

[0069] In the embodiment and the modified example, the inclined surface 142 is provided with a downward inclination from the front side to the back side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an inclined surface that inclines downward in the left-right direction, and the inclination direction of the inclined surface 142 may be determined arbitrarily.

[0070] The programs executed on the self-POS terminal 10 in the embodiment and modified examples are provided as files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0071] The programs executed by the self-service POS terminal 10 of the embodiment and the modified example may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The programs executed by the self-service POS terminal 10 of the embodiment and the modified example may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0072] Furthermore, the programs executed by the self-service POS terminal 10 of the embodiment and the modified example may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Self-service POS terminal 12 Main body 14 Product placement section 16 Control section 17 Control section 20 Basket 21 Storage area 23 Opening and closing section 24 protrusions 26 Opening 27 Opening and closing section 30 Storage mechanism 31 Guide section 35 Bag opening mechanism 141 Bottom part 142 Slope 143 Antenna 144 Left side part 145 Antenna 146 Right side part 147 Antenna 148 Door 149 Bottom 151 Recess 152 Door 161 Display section 165 Operation section 167 Motor 272 Top surface 500 Control section 501 Reading means 502 Payment Methods 503 Bag necessity selection and decision means 504 Door opening means 1653 Bag required key 1654 Bagless Key [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0074] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-344071 A

Claims

1. A product placement section having an inclined surface on which a product is placed; a door that can be opened and closed and is provided at the bottom of the inclined surface, the door determining the position of the product placed on the product placement section when in a closed state, and allowing the product placed on the product placement section to be moved to the outside along the inclined surface when in an open state; a storage mechanism that drops the moved product into a storage body that is set at the destination of the product; an antenna provided on at least one of the inclined surface, the left side surface of the inclined surface, and the right side surface of the inclined surface for receiving information from a wireless tag attached to the product; a control unit that opens the door on condition that a payment process for the product has been executed based on the information received by the antenna; A bagging device comprising:

2. The product placement unit places a basket having an opening and closing portion on the inclined surface in an inclined manner, The door determines the position of the basket placed on the product placement section in a closed state, and opens the opening / closing section in an open state, and allows the products stored in the placed basket to be moved from the basket to the outside along the inclined surface.

2. The bagging apparatus of claim 1.

3. The door is in an open state when moved upward and in a closed state when moved downward.

3. The bagging device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The door is opened by rotating in a downward inclination direction of the inclined surface, and is closed by rotating in a direction opposite to the rotating direction.

3. The bagging device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The door is provided so as to reduce friction between the upper surface of the door and the commodity, along which the commodity moves when the door is rotated in the downward inclination direction of the inclined surface.

5. The bagging apparatus of claim 4.

6. The control unit, before or after the payment process is performed, confirms with the customer who is purchasing the product whether or not the storage unit is required, and when the customer indicates that the storage unit is required, opens the door on the condition that the payment process has been performed.

2. The bagging apparatus of claim 1.

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