JP7550433B2 - Product registration processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a product registration processing device that is used in retail stores such as supermarkets to register purchased products.

Conventionally, in supermarkets and other stores, a salesperson sits across the counter from a customer and registers products using a product registration processing device installed on the counter (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-288643 A

When registering a product using such a product registration processing device, the store clerk reads out the product price and communicates with the customer.
However, from a hygienic standpoint, it is undesirable for droplets of saliva or the like from store clerks or customers to fly and splash onto the other person.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a partition between store staff and customers and ensure hygienic conditions.

To achieve the above objective, the product registration processing device of the present invention comprises a clerk display unit and a partition plate that is larger than the clerk display unit and separates the clerk and the customer, who face each other across the clerk display unit.

1A and 1B are external perspective views showing a product sales processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a view from a customer's side, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of a sales clerk and a customer in a product sales processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13A and 13B are external perspective views showing a product sales processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 13A is a view from a customer's side, and FIG. 13A and 13B are external perspective views showing a product sales processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 13A is a view from a customer's side, and FIG.

Hereinafter, a product registration processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The product registration processing device is a device that registers products for purchase. This product registration processing device constitutes a product sales processing system together with a settlement processing device that is communicably connected via wired or wireless communication, and performs processes from product registration to settlement.

The product registration processing device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with at least a display unit for store clerks 11 and a partition board 14, as well as a display unit for customers 12 and a reading unit 13, and is installed on a counter 2 on which a shopping basket 3 is placed.

Here, the counter 2 has a surface 21 for placing shopping baskets 3 at a position about waist height of store clerks or customers standing nearby. The surface 21 has a certain length and width, and multiple shopping baskets 3 can be placed along the longitudinal direction, lined up in the order of processing, before product registration, during registration, or after product registration.
The shopping basket 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped container that is open at the top and has a certain depth, and stores the products that a customer purchases in the basket 3. An example of the outside dimensions of the basket 3 is 250 mm high, 300 mm wide, and 430 mm wide.

For this type of counter 2, the product registration processing device 1 is installed at approximately the center of the longitudinal direction of the counter 2's loading surface 21, offset toward the customer in the width direction.

The store clerk display unit 11 is a display for displaying various data to store clerks, such as the total price of registered products and information related to payment.
The store clerk display unit 11 is disposed above the placement surface 21 of the counter 2 and at a position approximately equal to or slightly lower than the height of the store clerk's face, with the display screen facing the store clerk.

In this embodiment, the clerk display unit 11 has a housing 111 below it, and the housing 111 is erected on the mounting surface 21 of the counter 2, thereby providing the clerk display unit 11 above the mounting surface 21.
In this embodiment, the clerk display unit 11 is a touch panel that allows data input, and can accept operations and information input from clerks via the clerk display unit 11. The clerk display unit 11 may also be provided with physical keys or the like that allow customers or clerks to directly input information.

The customer display unit 12 is a display for showing the total price of registered items and the like to the customer. It is located behind the store clerk display unit 11, with the display screen facing the customer.
It should be noted that the customer display unit 12 is not limited to a display that simply displays data, but may be a touch panel that allows data input, thereby allowing operations from the customer to be received.

The reading unit 13 is a functional unit for reading various data, and is realized by a scanner or the like that reads bar codes or two-dimensional codes attached to products in which product-related information is coded.
In this embodiment, the reading unit 13 is composed of a stationary scanner that holds the product over the reading surface and a handheld scanner. The stationary scanner is provided below the store clerk display unit 11, and the handheld scanner is provided next to the stationary scanner.

The partition plate 14 is a substantially flat plate-shaped member that physically separates the store clerk and the customer, who face each other with the store clerk display unit 11 in between.
This partition 14 is, for example, a transparent plastic plate, so that the store clerk and the customer can communicate while seeing each other.
Regardless of this embodiment, the partition plate 14 does not have to be transparent as long as it has a degree of transparency that allows the store clerk and the customer to see each other. In addition, of the entire partition plate 14, generally only the areas where the faces of the store clerk and the customer are located or the area corresponding to the customer display unit 12 may be transparent or translucent, and the remaining areas may not be transparent or translucent, and may be areas where, for example, notices from the store to customers are written or displayed.

The partition plate 14 has a generally rectangular planar shape, with both ends extending outward beyond both ends of the clerk display unit 11 and being larger than the clerk display unit 11 .
The partition plate 14 is provided so that its lower end is located at a position higher than the upper end of the shopping basket 3 placed on the counter 2, so that the shopping basket 3 placed on the placement surface 21 can be moved without any trouble.

Furthermore, the upper end of the partition plate 14 is curved such that both ends are curved back from the center toward the store clerk side. This curved shape can be maintained by providing a curved frame at the upper end or by tying both sides of the upper end close to each other with a string-like member.
By curving the upper end in this way, the partition plate 14 can maintain an upright position without bending under its own weight toward the clerk or customer. Also, since the partition plate 14 covers the clerk standing directly opposite the clerk display unit 11 from the side, it is possible to more effectively prevent droplets of saliva or the like from the clerk or customer from splashing onto each other.

The position and size of the partition plate 14 will be described in relation to the standing positions of the store clerk and the customer with reference to Fig. 2. In the following description, the shopping baskets 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are examples of the shopping basket 3, and are given different reference numerals in order to identify and refer to each of them.
The store clerk S stands in a position directly facing the store clerk display unit 11.
The standing position of customer C1 who is undergoing product registration operation or has just completed the registration operation is a position facing the store clerk S across the counter 2, and is behind the store clerk display unit 11 in the flow direction of the shopping basket 3 on the counter 2, and is in front of the shopping baskets 3a, 3b where the product registration operation is being performed or has just completed the registration operation. Here, the standing position of such customer C1 is referred to as the standing position of the first customer.
The standing position of customer C2 waiting for the product registration operation is a position facing the store clerk S across the counter 2, in front of the store clerk display unit 11 in the flow direction of the shopping baskets 3 on the counter 2, and in front of the shopping baskets 3c, 3d waiting for the product registration operation. Here, the standing position of such customer C2 is referred to as the standing position of the second customer.

In relation to the standing positions of the store clerk and the customers, the partition plate 14 is large enough to separate the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the first customer, and the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the second customer.
Because the partition 14 is of such a size, it is possible to prevent droplets of saliva, etc. from splashing on each other between the store clerk and customers, regardless of the flow of customers lining up in front of the store clerk on either side of the counter. It is also possible to protect the store clerk from unforeseen incidents in terms of crime prevention.

The partition plate 14 is detachably attached to the counter 2 on which the store clerk display unit 11 or the shopping basket 3 is placed.
The attachment method can be in various forms, for example, by screwing to the back surface of the clerk display unit 11, by attaching to a metal plate attached to the partition plate 14, by connecting with a hook-and-loop fastener, or by engaging an engagement portion provided on the partition portion of the clerk display unit 11 and the partition plate 14. By attaching in a detachable manner, the partition plate 14 can be conveniently removed as necessary for maintenance, etc. Also, the partition plate 14 can be replaced at regular intervals or depending on the state of dirt, etc., which is preferable from the viewpoint of hygiene.

When attaching the partition plate 14 to the store clerk display unit 11 , the partition plate 14 may be attached to the housing 111 that constitutes a part of the store clerk display unit 11 .
Regardless of these examples, the partition 14 may be irremovably attached to the clerk display unit 11 or the counter 2, or may be integral with the clerk display unit 11 or the counter 2. The partition 14 may also be attached to the customer display unit 12. Furthermore, the partition 14 may be attached to the clerk display unit 11 or the counter 2 via a specified member.

The partition plate 14 may be movable left and right. This allows the partition plate 14 to be positioned more effectively depending on the customer's position, which differs depending on the usage situation and method of the product registration processing device 1, or the configuration of the product registration processing device 1, for example, when customers are served from only one side of the clerk display unit 11, such as in the case of a so-called face-to-face POS, by extending the partition plate 14 to the side where the customer is served.

In a merchandise registration processing device 4 according to a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, a display unit 41 having the function of the partition plate 14 described above is provided between the store clerk and the customer.
Like the product registration processing device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the product registration processing device 4 according to this embodiment includes a reading unit 13 and is installed on the counter 2.

The display unit 41, which also functions as the partition plate 14, is, for example, a transmissive organic EL display that physically separates the store clerk from the customer and can display various data such as the total price of registered items and payment information.

In this embodiment, the display unit 41 is composed of a first display unit 411, a second display unit 412, and a third display unit 413 that are arranged consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the counter 2. Of the first to third display units 411, 412, and 413, the second display unit 412 in the center is arranged facing the store clerk side, and the first display unit 411 and the third display unit 413 on either side of the second display unit 412 in the center are arranged at an angle so that they are closer to the store clerk side.

The first to third display units 411, 412, 413 can all function as the clerk display unit 11 or the customer display unit 12 described in the first embodiment, but in a preferred example, the second display unit 412 in the center is configured as the clerk display unit 11, and the first display unit 411 and the third display unit 413 on either side are configured as the customer display units 12. As a result, for example, of the first display unit 411 and the third display unit 413 configured as the clerk display unit 11, the first display unit 411 displays product registration information, total amount, etc., as being directed to customers who are registering products or have just completed registration, and the third display unit 413 displays advertisements, etc., as being directed to customers who are waiting for product registration.

In this embodiment, the store clerk display unit 11 described in the first embodiment may be provided. In this case, the second display unit 412 may be configured as a simple transmissive panel, or the second display unit 412 may also function as the customer display unit 12 described above.
In addition, when all of the first to third display units 411, 412, 413 are made to function as the customer display unit 12, the first display unit 411 and the second display unit 412 may display product registration information, total amount, and other information directed to customers who are in the process of registering products or who have just completed registration, and the third display unit 413 may display advertisements and the like directed to customers who are waiting for product registration. Furthermore, in this case, the information displayed on the first display unit 411 and the second display unit 412 may be switched depending on the customer's standing position.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the overall size of the display unit 41 is the same as the partition plate 14 in the first embodiment. That is, the display unit 41 is provided so that its bottom end is located at a position higher than the top end of the shopping basket 3 placed on the counter 2, and is large enough to separate the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the first customer described above, and the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the second customer described above.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 41 is provided on the housing 111. However, regardless of this, the housing 111 and the display unit 41 may be provided integrally. For example, a housing having a shape that forms the housing 111 and the display unit 41 as a whole may be provided, and the display unit 41 may be provided at a predetermined position. In this case, it is preferable to provide the reading unit 13, etc. at the location of the housing 111 that is provided integrally.

The product registration processing device 5 of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4 is provided with a support part 55 that supports a partition board 54 on the floor surface, and the support part 55 allows the partition board 54 to stand independently above the counter 2.
In addition, the product registration processing device 5 of this embodiment is equipped with a store clerk display unit 11, a customer display unit 12, and a reading unit 13, similar to the product registration processing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, and is installed on the counter 2.

The support portion 55 extends directly upward from the floor surface on the customer side of the counter 2.
The lower end of the support part 55 is fixed to the floor surface. There is no restriction on the fixing method, but for example, a bottom plate can be provided at the lower end of the support part 55 and fixed by sandwiching it between the counter 2 and the floor surface, or the lower end of the support part 55 can be fixed directly to the floor surface by screwing it. In addition, in order to make it more stable, an extension part that abuts from below against the back surface of the top plate, the upper surface of which is the placement surface 21, can be provided on the support part 55, and the extension part can be fixed so as to brace the space between the back surface of the top plate that it abuts and the floor surface, or a clamping part that clamps the top surface can be provided on the support part 55. This can prevent the partition board 54 from falling toward the store clerk side and hitting the store clerk display unit 11 or the customer display unit 12.
In addition, the support portion 55 can also be fixed to the counter 2 with a magnet, bolts, etc.

A frame 551 for mounting the partition plate 54 is provided on the upper end of the support portion 55 , and the partition plate 54 is fitted into the frame 551 .
In this embodiment, the customer display unit 12 is provided on the store clerk side of the partition plate 54, but since the partition plate 54 is transparent, customers can see the information displayed on the customer display unit 52 without any problems.

In this embodiment, since the support part 55 is installed on the customer side of the counter 2, it is advisable to provide a recess on the customer side of the counter 2 at the position where the support part 55 is to be installed. By arranging the support part 55 so that it fits into this recess, the support part 55 will not protrude towards the customer side, and it is possible to prevent customers or carts used by customers from bumping into or getting caught on the support part 55.

In this embodiment, the size of the partition 54 is the same as that of the partition 14 in the first embodiment. That is, the partition 54 is provided so that its lower end is located higher than the upper end of the shopping basket 3 placed on the counter 2, and is large enough to separate the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the first customer, and the line connecting the standing position of the store clerk and the standing position of the second customer.
Further, regardless of the example of FIG. 4, the partition plate 54 may be configured to have the same shape as the partition plate 14 in the first embodiment.

In addition, in the product registration processing devices 1, 4, and 5 according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, a notification may be made to prompt cleaning of the product registration processing devices 1, 4, and 5 themselves, the partition boards 14, 54, or the display unit 41, or to replace the partition boards 14, 54, depending on the number of customers, the elapsed time, or when there is a change in store staff.
In addition, the product registration processing devices 1, 4, and 5 may be equipped with a sterilization device that sterilizes the products and shopping baskets 3 scanned by the store clerk display unit 11 and the reading unit 13 by irradiating them with ultraviolet light or the like.
Furthermore, regardless of the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is also applicable to a type of cash register that has a settlement processing unit on the customer side.

Overview of the embodiment The present invention relates to a product registration processing device that is used in retail stores such as supermarkets and that registers purchased products.

Traditionally, in supermarkets and other stores, a salesperson sits across the counter from a customer and registers products using a product registration processing device installed on the counter (see JP 2003-288643 A).

When registering a product using such a product registration processing device, the store clerk reads out the product price and communicates with the customer.
However, from a hygienic standpoint, it is undesirable for droplets of saliva or the like from store clerks or customers to fly and splash onto the other person.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a partition between store staff and customers to ensure hygienic conditions.

To achieve the above objective, the product registration processing device of the present invention comprises a clerk display unit and a partition plate that is larger than the clerk display unit and separates the clerk and the customer, who face each other across the clerk display unit.

In addition, both side ends of the partition plate may extend outward beyond both side ends of the store clerk display unit.

The display unit for store clerks may be provided above a counter on which a shopping basket is placed, and the partition plate may be provided so that its bottom end is higher than the top end of the shopping basket placed on the counter.

The partition plate may be large enough to separate the line connecting the store clerk's position and the first and second customer's positions, in relation to the store clerk's position directly opposite the store clerk display unit, the first customer's position facing the store clerk across the counter on which the shopping cart is placed, and the second customer's position facing the store clerk across the counter, and the second customer's position standing in front of the shopping cart that is waiting to be registered, in the direction of the flow of the shopping carts on the counter, and the second customer's position facing the store clerk across the counter, and the second customer's position standing in front of the store clerk display unit, in the direction of the flow of the shopping carts on the counter.

The partition plate may also be removably attached to the counter on which the store clerk display unit or the shopping basket is placed.

The basket may also include a support portion that supports the partition plate, and the support portion may be fixed to the floor or to a counter on which the shopping basket is placed.

According to the present invention, a partition can be provided between store staff and customers, ensuring hygienic conditions.
In addition, the partition plate is positioned so that its lower end is located at a higher position than the upper end of a shopping basket placed on the counter, so that the shopping basket placed on the placement surface can be moved while still remaining on the placement surface.
In addition, since the partition plate is attached removably, it can be removed as necessary for maintenance work, and can also be replaced at regular intervals or according to the state of dirt, etc.
Furthermore, the partition is sized to take into account the standing position of customers during the product registration process or while waiting to be registered, so that even when customers are lined up in front of the counter, it is possible to prevent droplets of saliva and other fluids from splashing on each other between store clerks and customers.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Product registration processing device 11 Display unit for store clerk 111 Housing 12 Display unit for customer 13 Reading unit 14 Partition plate 2 Counter 21 Placement surface 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Shopping basket 4 Product registration processing device 41 Display unit 411 First display unit 412 Second display unit 413 Third display unit 5 Product registration processing device 54 Partition plate 55 Support unit 551 Frame

Claims (2)

A display unit for store clerks, the display screen of which faces the store clerk;
a transparent partition plate that is larger than the clerk display unit, is disposed on the back side of the clerk display unit, and is disposed on a line connecting a standing position of the clerk and a standing position of the customer facing each other across the clerk display unit, to separate the clerk from the customer;
The store clerk display unit is provided above a counter on which a shopping cart is placed,
The partition plate has a side end that extends to an area for placing the shopping basket, the area being provided on the side of the display unit for store clerk, and a lower end of the extended portion is provided at a position higher than an upper end of the shopping basket placed on the counter.
Product registration processing device. The display unit further includes a customer display unit, the customer display unit having a display screen facing the customer side and located on the store clerk side of the partition plate, at a position corresponding to the rear side of the store clerk display unit,
the transparent partition plate is larger than the clerk display unit and the customer display unit, is disposed on the rear side of the clerk display unit, and is disposed on a line connecting the standing position of the clerk and the standing position of the customer, which face each other across the clerk display unit and the customer display unit, to separate the clerk from the customer;
2. The product registration processing device according to claim 1.

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