JP7515833B2 - Systems and Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to systems and equipment used in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores.

Supermarkets and convenience stores have shopping baskets, and customers place the items they pick up into the shopping basket. These items are removed from the shopping basket at the cash register terminal and scanned with a barcode reader. The cash register terminal obtains the product's identification information from the barcode reader and performs the transaction based on that identification information.

Patent document 1 describes a charging system equipped with a power supply unit and multiple shopping baskets. The shopping baskets are equipped with electronic circuits including a scanner circuit and an information transmission/reception circuit, and a secondary battery that serves as a power supply source for the electronic circuits. Information read by the scanner is transmitted to the cash register terminal via the transmission/reception circuit. According to the invention described in patent document 1, the work of scanning products at the cash register terminal is eliminated, allowing for quicker checkout processing.

Patent No. 6355060

However, supermarkets and convenience stores are equipped with many shopping baskets, and if the shopping basket described in Patent Document 1 were to be introduced to replace these shopping baskets, the introduction costs would be enormous.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a system and equipment that can utilize baskets currently in use.

To achieve the above object, the system of the present invention comprises a plurality of baskets each having a reading device that reads information attached to an item, and a processing terminal that performs processing based on the information obtained from the reading device, the reading device having a reading unit that reads the information and a transmitting unit that transmits the read information to the processing terminal, and a case that houses the reading unit and the transmitting unit is attached to the basket.

The case is also characterized by being attached to the edge of the basket.

The basket also has a basket body and a pair of handles connected to the basket body, and the case is disposed between a location where one of the handles is connected and a location where the other of the handles is connected.

The reading unit also includes a camera, which is configured to capture an image of the inside of the basket.

The system also includes a basket stand on which the multiple baskets are placed, the reading device has a secondary battery, and the basket stand has a power supply unit that supplies power to charge the secondary battery.

The reading device also has a detection unit that detects that the basket has been placed on the basket rack, and a reset unit that resets the read information when the basket has been placed on the basket rack.

The basket also has a switching unit that switches to supply power from the power supply unit to the reading device of another basket when that basket is stacked on top of the basket.

The cage also has a first terminal portion disposed on one edge of the cage and a second terminal portion disposed on the other end opposite the one edge, and one or both of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to the reading device of the other cage to supply the power to the reading device of the other cage.

To achieve the above object, the device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a reading unit that reads information about an item and a transmitting unit that transmits the read information, and a case that houses the reading unit and the transmitting unit is attached to a basket.

According to the present invention, the case of the reading device (device) is configured to be attached to a basket. This allows the use of baskets that are currently in use.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a cash register terminal of a checkout system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2B is a side view showing a basket holder used in the checkout system with multiple shopping baskets stored therein; (a) A side view of a shopping basket of the above-mentioned checkout system. (b) A plan view of the shopping basket. Circuit diagram of the reader Functional block diagram of the above reading device Perspective view of the reading device Circuit configuration diagram of a reading device according to a second embodiment Charging control flow diagram of a reading device according to a second embodiment Functional block diagram of a reading device according to a second embodiment Circuit configuration diagram of a reading device according to a third embodiment FIG. 1A is a side view showing a connection state of a reading device according to a first modified example; FIG. 1B is a circuit configuration diagram of a reading device according to a second modified example; Circuit configuration diagram of a reading device according to Modification 3 FIG. 13 is a plan view of a shopping basket according to a fifth modified example. 5A is a circuit diagram of a switching device according to the fifth modification; FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram of a reading device according to the fifth modification; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection state of reading devices and switching devices in a plurality of shopping carts.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings, using as an example an accounting system used in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores.

[First embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the accounting system 2 includes a cash register terminal 4 which is a transaction processing terminal, a plurality of shopping baskets 6, and a basket holder 8 on which the plurality of shopping baskets 6 are placed.

The cash register terminal 4 has a similar configuration to conventional cash register terminals in that it extracts product information (product name and product price) stored in memory (not shown) based on the product identification information of the product that the customer is trying to purchase, and presents the extracted product information and the total price of the products to the customer to perform the accounting process. However, the configuration for reading and acquiring the product identification information differs from that of conventional cash register terminals. In this embodiment, the shopping basket 6 reads the product identification information of each product, and the cash register terminal 4 communicates with the shopping basket 6 to acquire the product identification information. The cash register terminal 4 may be, for example, an accounting processing terminal that supports cashless payment, or may be one in which customers individually perform accounting using a smartphone equipped with an accounting function.

2, the shopping basket 6 includes a basket body 10 that contains products and a pair of handles 12 connected to the basket body 10. The basket body 10 is a type that has been conventionally used in stores, and is configured so that multiple basket bodies 10 can be stacked (FIG. 1). The pair of handles 12 are also formed in a U-shape, as in conventional baskets, and are connected to a connection portion 16 provided on an edge portion 14 of the basket body 10. The connection portion 16 is formed on a pair of long edges 14a of a pair of long edges 14a and a pair of short edges 14b that form the opening of the basket body 10, and is formed in two places on each side of the center of the long edges 14a. As a result, the pair of handles 12 are connected symmetrically to the left and right at a predetermined interval in the plan view shown in FIG. 2(b).

In this embodiment, a reading device 18 is attached to the center of each long edge 14a (between connection parts 16a and 16b). The reading device 18 is a device that reads product identification information from a product and transmits the read product identification information to the cash register terminal 4 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, the reader module 20 and NFC module 22 are electrically connected to the CPU 24 so as to be able to communicate with the CPU 24. The CPU 24 is also connected to the memory 26, and controls the reader module 20 and NFC module 22 by executing a program stored in the memory 26.

The reader module 20 of the reading device 18 is a module that reads product identification information from a barcode attached to a product, and is composed of a camera (not shown) and an MCU (not shown) that controls the camera, analyzes the image generated by the camera to detect the barcode, and reads the product identification information from the detected barcode. The MCU transmits the read product identification information to the CPU 24 every time it reads the product identification information. In this way, the camera of the reader module 20 functions as an imaging unit 28 (FIG. 4) that captures the barcode of the product. The MCU of the reader module 20 also functions as a reading unit 30 (FIG. 4) that analyzes the captured image and reads the product identification information. The reader module 20 may be a module that reads information from a two-dimensional code such as a QR code or characters attached to a product, or an RFID reader module that reads information from an ID tag attached to a product. In other words, it is sufficient if it is a module that reads product identification information that distinguishes products in a store from each other.

The NFC module 22 of the reading device 18 is a module that performs wireless communication with other NFC modules in a short distance. In this embodiment, the cash register terminal 4 also has a built-in NFC module 32 (FIG. 1), and short-distance wireless communication is realized by each NFC module 22, 32. When communication with the cash register terminal 4 is established, the NFC module 22 transmits the product identification information received from the CPU 24 to the cash register terminal 4. In this way, the NFC module 22 functions as a transmitter 34 (FIG. 4) that transmits the product identification information. Note that the communication means between the reading device 18 and the cash register terminal 4 is not limited to the NFC module 22, and may be wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared, or wired communication using a cable.

By executing a program stored in memory 26, the CPU 24 of the reading device 18 acquires product identification information from the reader module 20, temporarily stores the acquired product identification information in a storage area provided in the memory 26, and transmits the stored product identification information to the cash register terminal 4 via the NFC module 22. In this way, the CPU 24 functions as an acquisition unit 36 (Figure 4) that acquires product identification information. In addition, the memory 26 functions as a storage unit 38 (Figure 4) that stores the product identification information.

The electronic circuit including the reader module 20, NFC module 22, CPU 24, and memory 26 described above is driven by power supplied from the secondary battery 40. These electronic circuits and components such as the secondary battery 40 are housed in a case 42 shown in FIG. 2. Here, since the reading device 18 is attached to the center part of the long edge portion 14a as described above, the case 42 of the reading device 18 is formed to a length that fits between the connection parts 16a and 16b, and is configured to be attached to the edge portion 14 of the basket body 10. In this embodiment, as a configuration for attachment, an insertion groove 44 is formed in the case 42 as shown in FIG. 5. The insertion groove 44 is formed in a shape that matches the edge portion 14, which has an L-shaped cross section, and is formed slightly wider than the edge portion 14 so as to be easily inserted. This makes it possible to insert the edge portion 14 into the insertion groove 44 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the resin basket body 10.

A customer uses a shopping basket 6 equipped with the above-mentioned reading device 18. When placing an item in the store in the shopping basket 6, the customer holds the item's barcode over the camera of the reading device 18. The reader module 20 then reads the item identification information from the barcode, and the CPU 24 temporarily stores the read item identification information in memory 26. When making a payment, the customer brings the reading device 18 attached to the shopping basket 6 close to the cash register terminal 4. This establishes communication between the cash register terminal 4 and the NFC modules 22, 32 of the reading device 18. The CPU 24 of the reading device 18 then reads the item identification information from the memory 26, and transmits the item identification information to the cash register terminal 4 via the NFC module 22. The cash register terminal 4 then performs the payment process based on the item identification information received via the NFC module 32.

In this way, the reading device 18 of this embodiment can be attached to a conventional shopping basket 6 for use. In addition, the reading device 18 is configured to be attached to the center portion of the basket body 10 (between the connection parts 16), so it does not interfere with the handling of the handle 12.

In addition, in the reading device 18 of this embodiment, it is preferable to mount the camera so that its optical axis faces inwardly into the basket body 10. This makes it possible to prevent customers from accidentally capturing images of the barcodes of products on display as they move around the store.

Returning to FIG. 3, the reading device 18 of this embodiment is equipped with a charging control module 46 (charging control unit 64 (FIG. 4)) that controls charging of the secondary battery 40 while monitoring the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40. The charging method for the secondary battery 40 is not particularly limited, and any known charging method such as a constant current charging method or a constant voltage charging method can be adopted. Power to the charging control module 46 is supplied through a lower terminal group 48 exposed at the bottom of the case 42. An upper terminal group 50 is exposed at the top of the case 42. Each of the lower terminal group 48 and the upper terminal group 50 has power supply terminals 48a, 50a and ground terminals 48b, 50b. The power supply terminals 48a, 50a are connected to each other via a power supply line 52 provided in the case 42, and the ground terminals 48b, 50b are also connected to each other via a ground line 54. In addition, the positions of the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48 are determined so that when one shopping basket 6 is stacked on top of another shopping basket 6, the upper terminal group 50 of the one shopping basket 6 and the lower terminal group 48 of the other shopping basket 6 come into contact with each other. Therefore, when multiple shopping baskets 6 are stacked, the charging control modules 46 of each reading device 18 are connected in parallel via the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48 of each reading device 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of stacked shopping baskets 6 are supported by a basket holder 8. The basket holder 8 has a pair of horizontal frames 56 spaced apart from each other by the same distance as the pair of long edges 14a of the basket body 10. A power supply unit 58 is provided in the center of the pair of horizontal frames 56, and the power supply unit 58 abuts against the reading device 18 of the shopping basket 6 located at the bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, a power supply terminal group 60 is exposed on the upper part of the power supply unit 58 and is electrically connected to the lower terminal group 48 of the reading device 18. The power supply terminal group includes a power supply terminal 60a and a ground terminal 60b, and these terminals 60a, 60b are connected to the output of a switching power supply circuit 62 provided in the basket holder 8. Therefore, when multiple shopping baskets 6 are stacked on the basket holder 8, the power supplied from the basket holder 8 is supplied to the power supply line 52 in each reading device 18 through the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48 of each shopping basket 6, and the secondary battery 40 is charged by the charging control module 46.

In this way, the power supply unit 58 functions as a power supply section 66 that supplies power to the reading devices 18 of multiple shopping baskets 6 to charge the secondary batteries 40 of each. In this embodiment, by stacking the shopping baskets 6 on the basket holder 8, it is possible to automatically charge the secondary batteries 40 of the reading devices 18.

[Second embodiment]
The accounting system according to the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that it includes a cash register terminal 4, multiple shopping baskets 6, and a basket holder 8, but as shown in Figure 6, the circuit configuration of the reading device 68 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the components that are common to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted as appropriate, and the following explanation will focus on the different circuit configurations.

The reading device 68 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 70 (FIG. 8) that detects when the basket body 10 is placed on the basket rack 8 (when it is placed directly on the basket rack 8, and when it is placed indirectly on the basket rack 8 via another shopping basket 6), and a reset unit 72 (FIG. 8) that clears the product identification information that has been temporarily stored in the memory 26 when the detection unit 70 detects the placement state.

The detection unit 70 is composed of a resistor R1 provided in series between the power supply line 52 and the input terminal P1 of the CPU 24, a pull-down resistor R2 provided between the resistor R1 and the input terminal P1 of the CPU 24, and the CPU 24 that monitors the state of the input terminal P1. When the basket body 10 is not accommodated, no power is supplied to the power supply terminal, so the input voltage of the input terminal P1 becomes a LOW level. When the CPU 24 acquires the LOW level, it determines that the basket body 10 is not accommodated on the basket holder 8, that is, that the shopping basket 6 is being used by a customer, and executes the above-mentioned reading process and communication process. On the other hand, when the basket body 10 is accommodated on the basket holder 8, power is supplied to the power supply terminal as described above. Then, a HIGH level signal divided by the resistors R1 and R2 is input to the input terminal P1 (the values of the resistors R1 and R2 are determined so that the divided voltage value becomes a HIGH level). When the CPU 24 acquires the HIGH level signal, it regards the basket body 10 as being contained in the basket holder 8, and erases the product identification information stored in the memory 26. In this way, the CPU 24 functions as a reset unit 72. As a result, when the customer finishes shopping or stops shopping midway and the shopping basket 6 is placed on the basket holder 8, the product identification information in the memory 26 is automatically reset.

In addition, in this embodiment, when multiple shopping baskets 6 are stacked on the basket rest 8, the secondary batteries 40 of the shopping baskets 6 located at the top are charged in order.

Specifically, each reading device 68 includes signal terminals 50c, 48c in the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48, respectively, and the upper signal terminal 50c is connected to the input terminal P2 of the CPU 24 via a pull-down resistor R3. The signal terminal 48c of the lower terminal group 48 is connected to the output terminal P3 of the CPU 24. The charging control module 46 and the CPU 24 are communicatively connected, and the CPU 24 obtains the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40 from the charging control module 46 via the input/output terminal P4 and controls the start and stop of charging the secondary battery 40.

In the electrical circuit configured in this manner, the CPU 24 functions as a processing unit 74 (Figure 8) that selects one of the self-charging mode, lower basket charging mode, and upper basket charging mode when the shopping basket 6 is placed on the basket holder 8, and performs control corresponding to the selected mode.

The self-charging mode is a mode for charging the secondary battery 40 built into the reading device 68 of the shopping basket 6, and is selected and executed when, as shown in FIG. 7, a HIGH level signal (s01) is input to the input terminal P1 of the CPU 24, a LOW level signal is input to the input terminal P2 (s02), and the battery voltage acquired through the input/output terminal P4 is low (not fully charged) (s03: NO). In the self-charging mode, the CPU 24 outputs a HIGH level signal from the output terminal P3 and controls the input/output terminal P4 to set the secondary battery 40 in a state in which charging is performed.

The lower basket charging mode is a mode in which the secondary battery 40 is charged in the lower shopping basket 6 stacked below the shopping basket 6, and is selected and executed when a HIGH level signal (s01) is input to the input terminal P1 of the CPU 24, a LOW level signal is input to the input terminal P2 (s02), and the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40 acquired through the input/output terminal P4 is sufficiently high (fully charged) (s03: YES). In the lower basket charging mode, the CPU 24 outputs a LOW signal from the output terminal P3 and controls the input/output terminal P4 to stop charging the secondary battery 40.

The upper basket charging mode is a mode in which the secondary battery 40 of the upper shopping basket 6 stacked above the shopping basket 6 is charged, and is selected and executed when a HIGH level signal (s01) is input to the input terminal P1 of the CPU 24 and a HIGH level signal is input to the input terminal P2 (s02). In the upper basket charging mode, the CPU 24 outputs a HIGH signal from the output terminal P3 and controls the input/output terminal P4 to stop charging the secondary battery 40.

The selection and control of the charging mode as described above is executed by the CPU 24 in the reading device 68 of each shopping basket 6 accommodated on the basket holder 8. Here, the input terminal P2 functions as an input unit 76 (FIG. 8) that receives a signal indicating whether charging is possible from the shopping basket 6 stacked above. The output terminal P3 functions as an output unit 78 (FIG. 8) that outputs a signal indicating whether charging is possible to the shopping basket 6 stacked below. The input/output terminal P4 functions as a communication unit 80 (FIG. 8) that communicates to obtain the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40 from the charging control module and communicates with the charging control module to start or stop charging the secondary battery 40.

According to this embodiment, when multiple shopping baskets 6 are stacked, the CPU 24 of each reading device 68 appropriately selects one of the self-charging mode, lower basket charging mode, and upper basket charging mode and executes a specified process, thereby enabling preferential power supply to the reading device 68 of the shopping basket 6 placed at the top, which is used more frequently.

[Third embodiment]
In the second embodiment described above, the CPU 24 of each reading device 18 selected a mode and a specified process for multiple shopping baskets 6 stacked on a basket rest 8, but in the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a CPU 80 and a memory 81 are provided in a power supply unit 84, and the CPU 80 collectively manages the charging of the secondary batteries 40 of multiple reading devices 82.

Specifically, the reading device 82 includes communication terminals 50d, 50e, 48d, and 48e in each of the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48. The communication terminals 50d, 50e, 48d, and 48e are terminals used by the CPU 24 of the reading device 82 to communicate with other CPUs 24 (the CPUs 24 of the reading devices 82 of other shopping baskets 6 stacked above and below), and are electrically connected to the CPUs 24. The power supply unit 84 also includes communication terminals 60d and 60e in the power supply terminal group 60, and the communication terminals 60d and 60e are provided to contact the communication terminals 48d and 48e of the lower terminal group 48 of the shopping basket placed on the basket stand 8. The communication terminals 60d and 60e are electrically connected to the CPU 80 in the power supply unit 84. Therefore, the CPU 80 can communicate with the CPU 24 of the reading device 82 via the communication terminals 60d and 60e.

The memory 26 of each reading device 82 configured as described above stores unique information such as a serial number and address. When communication is established with the CPU 24 of the reading device 82 of the shopping basket 6 below, the CPU 24 of the reading device 82 reads the unique information from the memory 26 and obtains the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40 from the charging control module 46. The unique information and battery voltage that have been read are then transmitted to the CPU 80 of the power supply unit 84.

As described above, in this embodiment, the CPUs 24 of vertically adjacent reading devices 82 can communicate with each other. Therefore, when a new shopping basket 6 is stacked (stocked), the reading device 82 of the newly stacked shopping basket 6 transmits its unique information and battery voltage to the reading device 82 of the shopping basket 6 below it. The reading device 82 that receives the unique information and battery voltage transmits the received information to the reading device 82 below it. In this way, information is transmitted in order from top to bottom, and is finally transmitted to the power supply unit 84. When transmitting information to the reading device 82 below, the CPU 24 of the reading device 82 adds its own unique information and battery voltage.

The CPU 80 of the power supply unit 84 stores the received unique information of each reading device 82 in association with the battery voltage, and compares the received battery voltages. As a result of the comparison, the lowest battery voltage is extracted, and the unique information corresponding to the extracted battery voltage is extracted. The CPU 80 then associates the extracted unique information with start information for starting charging and transmits it to the reading device 82. The CPU 24 of the reading device 82 that has received the information checks whether the unique information stored in the memory 26 matches the received unique information, and if they match, causes the charging control module 46 to start charging the secondary battery 40 based on the start information. On the other hand, if the received unique information does not match, the received unique information and start information are transmitted to the reading device 82 above.

In this embodiment, the memory 26 of the reading device 82 functions as a storage unit that stores the unique information. The CPU 24 of the reading device 82 functions as a transmission unit that transmits the unique information and the battery voltage of the secondary battery 40 read from the memory 26 to the CPU 80 of the power supply unit 84. The CPU 24 functions as a transfer unit that receives the unique information and battery voltage of other reading devices 82 and transmits the received unique information and battery voltage to the other reading devices 82. The CPU 80 of the power supply unit 84 functions as an extraction unit that extracts the lowest voltage from the received battery voltages and extracts the unique information corresponding to the extracted battery voltage. It also functions as a transmission unit that transmits the unique information and start information in association with each other. According to this embodiment, it is possible to charge the shopping basket 6 that needs charging the most among the shopping baskets 6 stacked on the basket holder 8.

The present invention has been described based on the first to third embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and may be, for example, in the form described below.

<Modification 1>
For example, the upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48 in each of the above embodiments may be provided in a manner as shown in Fig. 10. The reading device 18 shown in Fig. 10(a) has two convex parts 86 formed on the lower surface of the case 42 and two concave parts 88 formed on the upper surface of the case 42. Each convex part 86 is formed so as to fit into the concave part 88 when the reading device 18 is stacked up and down (when the shopping basket 6 is stacked up and down). The convex part 86 is provided with a power supply terminal 48a and a ground terminal 48b on a part of its outer circumferential surface (a part of the surface facing each other in the figure). The concave part 88 is provided with a power supply terminal 50a and a ground terminal 50b on a part of its inner circumferential surface at positions corresponding to the power supply terminal 48a and the ground terminal 48b of the convex part 86. In this embodiment, although the upper terminal group 50 of the reading device 18 is always exposed, it is possible to prevent the power supply terminal 50a and the ground terminal 50b from being unexpectedly brought into electrical contact with each other because they are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 88. Note that the power supply terminals 48a, 50a and the ground terminals 48b, 50b may be disposed at the tip of the protrusion 86 or the bottom of the recess 88, instead of on the peripheral surfaces of the protrusion 86 or the recess 88.

<Modification 2>
In the above-mentioned modified example 1, the case 42 is provided with projections and recesses to prevent the exposed upper terminal group 50 from being unexpectedly conductive. However, as shown in FIG. 10B, the power supply line 52 may be connected to the power supply terminal 50a via a push switch 90. The push switch 90 is provided so that the key top protrudes from the case 42, and is provided so as to be conductive when another reading device 18 is placed on the reading device 18. In this embodiment, the upper terminal group 50 of the reading device 18 is always exposed, but power is not supplied to the power supply terminal 50a unless another reading device 18 is placed on top of it (unless another shopping basket 6 is placed on top of it). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power supply terminal 50a and the ground terminal 50b from being unexpectedly conductive. It is preferable to provide the power supply unit 58 with the configuration adopted in this modified example.

<Modification 3>
In the second modification, the push switch 90 of the reader 18 is pushed down when another shopping basket 6 is placed on top of the basket 6, i.e., the switch is physically switched, but the switch may be electrically switched. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a signal terminal 50c is provided in the upper terminal group 50, and a signal terminal 48c is provided in the lower terminal group 48. The signal terminal 50c is connected to the input of a switch circuit 92. The switch circuit 92 is turned on when a LOW level signal is input to the input. A pull-up resistor (not shown) is connected to the input, and a HIGH level signal is input when nothing is connected to the signal terminal 50c. The signal terminal 48c of the lower terminal group 48 is connected to ground. 11, when shopping baskets 6 are stacked one on top of the other, the upper terminal group 50 of the lower reading device 18 is connected to the lower terminal group 48 of the upper reading device 18, and a LOW level signal is input to the switch circuit 92 via the signal terminals 50c, 48c. This switches the switch to the ON state, and power is supplied to the power supply terminal 50a. It is preferable to provide the power supply unit 58 with the configuration adopted in this modified example.

<Modification 4>
In each of the above embodiments, the reading device 18 is attached between the connection parts 16 of the pair of handles 12, but the attachment location of the reading device 18 is not limited to between the connection parts 16, and may be another edge part 14. For example, it may be attached to the short edge part 14b of the basket body 10. Moreover, the reading device 18 is not limited to being attached in advance, and may be attached to any edge part 14 by the customer when the customer visits the store. Furthermore, the attachment location of the reading device 18 is not limited to the edge part 14 of the basket body 10. For example, when an RFID reader is used as the reader module, it may be attached to the bottom of the basket body 10.

<Modification 5>
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, a reading device 94 may be attached to one of the long edge portions 14a, and a switching device 96 may be attached to the other of the long edge portions 14a.

As shown in FIG. 13(b), the reading device 94 combines the configuration described in the third embodiment and the configuration described in the third modification. That is, when multiple shopping baskets 6 are stacked, the reading device 94 of each shopping basket 6 is capable of communicating with each CPU 24 via the communication terminals 48d, 48e, 50d, and 50e. Furthermore, it is provided with a switch circuit 92 that switches between cutting off and energizing the power to the shopping basket 6 stacked on top based on a signal input via the signal terminal 50c.

13(a), the switching device 96 has a common configuration with the reading device 94 in that it has a switch circuit 92 that switches between cutting off and energizing the power to the shopping basket 6 stacked on top based on a signal input through the signal terminal 50c. However, it differs from the reading device 94 in that it does not have a configuration for reading and communicating product information, such as a reader module 20, an NFC module 22, and a CPU 24. The upper terminal group 50 and the lower terminal group 48 of the switching device 96 have communication terminals 50d, 50e, 48d, and 48e in addition to signal terminals 50c and 48c, power terminals 50a and 48a, and ground terminals 50b and 48b. These communication terminals 50d, 50e, 48d, and 48e are electrically connected. The cases of the switching device 96 and the reading device 94 have the same shape.

In this modified example, when placing the shopping basket 6 on the basket holder 8, it is possible to place the shopping basket 6 without having to adjust its orientation. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the mode in which the reading devices 94 are connected vertically to each other, it is also possible to connect the reading device 94 and the switching device 96 vertically.

In the above-described connection mode, the reading device 94 and the switching device 96 are equipped with a switch circuit 92, so that the switch circuit 92 is switched to an energized state by a signal input from another shopping basket 6 placed above via the signal terminal 50c, and is in a state where it supplies power to the other shopping basket 6. The switch circuit 92 may be provided in the power supply unit 58.

In addition, the reading device 94 and the switching device 96 are connected via the communication terminals 50d, 50e, 48d, and 48e, so that the reading device 94 can transmit various types of information to the power supply unit 58, as described in the third embodiment.

According to this modified example, the shopping basket 6 can be placed in the basket holder 8 without having to adjust its orientation. In addition, because one switching device 96 and one reading device 94, which do not have a reading function or a communication function, are used, the introduction cost can be reduced compared to when two reading devices 96 are attached to one shopping basket.

The present invention can be implemented in various forms that include improvements, modifications, or variations based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the invention can be implemented in a form in which any of the invention-specific features are replaced with other technologies within the scope of the same action or effect.

The present invention is not limited to reading devices used in accounting systems and shopping carts in stores, but can also be used for picking in logistics. Specifically, the above-mentioned reading device may be attached to a basket that collects items during picking work. The reading device may also transmit the information it reads to an incoming/outgoing management terminal.

2. Accounting system (system)
4. Cash register terminal (processing terminal)
8 ... basket holder 12 ... handle 14 ... edge 18 ... reading device (device)
30: Reading section 34: Transmitting section 40: Secondary battery 42: Case 66: Power supply section 70: Detection section 72: Reset section

Claims (5)

A device that can be interposed between one device and another device,
A secondary battery;
a power receiving terminal for receiving power for charging the secondary battery from the one of the devices;
a power supply terminal for supplying the power to the other device;
a case containing the secondary battery and having one surface in contact with the one device and another surface in contact with the other device;
a charge control unit that controls charging of the secondary battery;
Equipped with
The power receiving terminal is disposed on the one surface side, and the power supply terminal is disposed on the other surface side,
The charging control unit performs the charging when the other device is in a non-connected state . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the charging control unit stops the charging when the other device is in a connected state. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the charging control unit controls the charging in accordance with a charging state of the other device when the other device is in a connected state. The device according to claim 1, which is powered by the power supplied from the secondary battery and has a reading unit that reads information attached to an item. A shopping basket having the device according to claim 4 attached to its edge.