JP7844372B2 - Product Sales Data Processing Device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a product sales data processing device.

Supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, and other retail establishments have POS terminals and other product sales data processing devices installed in the payment area where customers settle their purchases. These devices handle product registration and payment processing related to items purchased by customers.

Such product sales data processing devices are equipped with printers to issue receipts containing product information and payment details for processed transactions. While it's common for store staff or other operators to receive the printed receipts and hand them to customers, recently, a style (method) has emerged where customers make the payment themselves and receive the printed receipts themselves.

In this style of system, the printer, which was previously integrated into the product sales data processing unit, is detached from the main unit and installed on the customer's side, issuing receipts to the customer from the printer. This sometimes resulted in dead space where the printer was previously located.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a product sales data processing device that can effectively utilize the space freed up by removing the printer.

The product sales data processing device of the embodiment comprises a main body, an operating unit provided on the operator side of the main body, a display unit erected from the main body and provided above the main body, behind the operating unit, and a mounting part provided on the upper surface of the main body, to the left or right of at least one of the operating unit and the display unit, for detachably attaching a printer to the main body , wherein the mounting part detachably attaches a storage case to the position where the printer has been removed.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a POS terminal with a printer installed. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a POS terminal with the printer removed and the storage case attached. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the storage case. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the storage case with the lid open. Figure 6 shows the printer viewed from the bottom. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage state of the gift certificates when the storage case is attached to the POS terminal 1. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a POS terminal with the storage case attached and the lid open. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a POS terminal with a tape cutter mounted on a storage case. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a storage case with a tray on its top surface.

The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. This embodiment applies a POS terminal as an example of a product sales data processing device. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description of the embodiment.

POS terminal 1 performs sales registration and payment processing for products sold in the store. Product registration processing refers to the process of scanning or optically reading barcodes or other code symbols attached to products sold in transactions with customers, obtaining a product code based on those code symbols, and displaying product information such as the product name and unit price, which is read from the product master (not shown) based on the obtained product code.

Furthermore, payment processing refers to processes such as displaying the total amount calculated by summing the prices of the registered products, calculating and displaying the change based on the deposit paid by the customer, instructing the change dispenser to issue the change, and instructing the printer to print a receipt containing product information and payment information (total amount, tax amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc.).

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the POS terminal 1 according to the embodiment. The POS terminal 1 comprises a main unit 2, a staff display unit 3 (display unit), and a customer display unit 5. The main unit 2 incorporates a power supply unit and a circuit board with electronic components mounted on it (neither of which are shown). The main unit 2 also includes an operation unit 21, a card reader 8, a tray 22, a sponge 23, etc. A code reader (not shown) for reading symbols attached to products is connected to the main unit 2. The tray 22 is formed, for example, from an L-shaped metal plate and serves as a temporary base for placing gift certificates or other monetary vouchers received from customers. The sponge 23 is a sponge that can maintain moisture for a long time by being saturated with water and is used to moisten fingers when counting banknotes or gift certificates.

The operation unit 21 is a keyboard equipped with subtotal keys, credit declaration keys, number keys for entering numbers, and various function keys. The card reader 8 reads card information magnetically or electrically by scanning or inserting cards such as credit cards or point cards. In this embodiment, the operation unit 21 is positioned to the right of the main unit 2.

The employee display unit 3 is mounted vertically from the top surface of the main unit 2. Specifically, the employee display unit 3 is mounted on the upper part of a support column extending upward from the main unit 2. The employee display unit 3 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. The employee display unit 3 has a structure in which the display surface can rotate vertically and horizontally relative to the support column, and in Figure 1, it is installed on the right side of the main unit 2, behind the operation unit 21. The employee display unit 3 is installed facing the operator, such as an employee, standing on the front side of the POS terminal 1 (on the side of the mounting base 22 of the POS terminal 1). The employee display unit 3 displays text and images. A transparent touch panel 31 is provided on the surface of the employee display unit 3. By touching the touch panel 31 of the key portion displayed on the employee display unit 3, the employee can operate the keys displayed on the employee display unit 3.

The customer display unit 5 is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal display. The customer display unit 5 is installed on the rear side of the main unit 2 (opposite the staff display unit 3) facing the customer. The customer display unit 5 displays text and images.

Furthermore, the POS terminal 1 is equipped with a mounting section 7 on the main body 2. The mounting section 7 is a mounting section for detachably attaching the printer 6 and/or storage case 4 (described later) to the main body 2. The mounting section 7 attaches either the printer 6 or the storage case 4 to the main body 2 (i.e., the POS terminal 1).

In this embodiment, the mounting section 7 is located close to the left side of the employee display section 3 and the operation section 21. Furthermore, the mounting base 22 is located in front of the mounting section 7, and the operation section 21 is positioned to the right of the mounting section 7 in the left-right direction of the main body 2, but not in front of the mounting section 7.

The mounting section 7 is formed by cutting out a notch to the left of the employee display section 3 and the operation section 21 on the top surface of the POS terminal 1, to match the shape of the printer 6 and storage case 4 to be mounted, allowing the printer 6 and storage case 4 to be fitted into it. The mounting section 7 has key-shaped hooks 71 inside the POS terminal 1. These hooks 71 are for securely attaching the printer 6 and storage case 4, fitted into the mounting section 7, to the main body 2 of the POS terminal 1. There are two hooks 71 on each side of the bottom surface of the mounting section 7, for a total of four. Note that only two hooks 71 are visible on one side in Figure 1, but two more hooks 71 are formed on the opposite side as well.

To attach the printer 6 to the mounting section 7, electrically connect the printer 6 to the POS terminal 1, then insert the printer 6 into the mounting section 7 and engage the hook 71 with the hook hole 66 formed in the bottom surface 67 of the printer 6 (see Figure 6) to attach it to the main unit 2. In this state, the printer 6 issues a receipt with product information and payment information for a transaction, based on the information received from the POS terminal 1. To remove the printer 6 from the main unit 2, release the engagement between the hook 71 and the hook hole 66, and lift the printer 6 upwards from the mounting section 7 to remove it.

The storage case 4 has a hook hole (not shown) on its bottom surface that is the same shape as the hook hole 66. When attaching the storage case 4 to the main body 2, the storage case 4 and the POS terminal 1 are electrically connected, then the storage case 4 is inserted into the mounting section 7, and the hook 71 is engaged with the hook hole formed on the bottom surface of the storage case 4 to attach it to the main body 2. The storage case 4, electrically connected to the POS terminal 1, detects, for example, the open/closed state of the lid 42 and notifies the POS terminal 1 of information indicating the open/closed state of the lid 42. The POS terminal 1 receives the information indicating the open/closed state of the lid 42 from the storage case 4 and performs control according to the open/closed state of the lid 42. To remove the storage case 4 from the main body 2, the hook 71 is released from the hook hole, and the storage case 4 is lifted upward from the mounting section 7 to remove it.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the POS terminal 1 with the printer 6 attached to the main unit 2. As shown in Figure 2, the printer 6 is attached to the main unit 2 with almost no gaps.

The printer 6 includes a thermal head, a storage unit for storing rolls of receipt paper, and a transport unit (neither of which are shown). The transport unit pulls one end of the receipt paper from the storage unit and transports it, and the thermal head prints product information and payment information related to the purchased items onto the transported receipt paper. The printer 6 has an issuing unit 61, and the printed receipt is issued from the issuing unit 61. In Figure 2, where the printer 6 is mounted on the main unit 2, the issuing unit 61 is located on the side of the POS terminal 1 operator (e.g., store clerk), and the printer 6 issues the receipt in the direction of arrow Y towards the store clerk operating the POS terminal 1. The store clerk receives the receipt issued by the issuing unit 61 and hands it to the customer.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the POS terminal 1 with the printer 6 removed from the mounting section 7 and the storage case 4 attached to the mounting section 7. As shown in Figure 3, the printer 6 is positioned with its issuing unit 61 facing the direction of the customer so that a receipt is issued to the customer.

Figure 3 shows a configuration where, for example, as a measure against infectious diseases, the customer receives the receipt issued by the issuing unit 61 themselves. In such cases, an automatic change dispenser that dispenses banknotes and coins as change is often installed near the POS terminal 1 so that the customer can also receive the change related to the transaction themselves. The automatic change dispenser stores money inside. The customer inserts the money (coins and banknotes) to be paid into the automatic change dispenser themselves and receives the change dispensed by the automatic change dispenser themselves. In this style, a drawer for storing money or gift certificates is not installed. In such cases, the storage case 4 is used as a gift certificate case to store the gift certificates received from the customer.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the storage case 4. The storage case 4 in Figure 4 is, for example, a voucher case for storing vouchers. As shown in Figure 4, the storage case 4 comprises a housing 41 and a lid 42. The housing 41 is substantially the same shape as the printer 6, except for the height. The housing 41 has a hollow space inside. The housing 41 also has a protruding portion 45 that extends to the rear.

The lid 42 is attached to the housing 41 so as to be able to open and close, with its lower edge as the pivot point. Figure 4 shows the lid 42 closed relative to the housing 41. The lid 42 is located on the operator's side when the storage case 4 is attached to the main body 2. The lid 42 has a slit 421, a handle portion 422, a keyhole 423, and a slit 424. The storage case 4 also has a flat top surface portion 43 on the upper surface of the housing 41. The slit 421 is a slit-shaped hole in the lid 42 that connects the inside and outside of the storage case 4. The slit 424 is a slit-shaped hole in the lid 42 that connects the inside and outside of the storage case 4, and is formed above the slit 421, approximately parallel to the slit 421.

The handle portion 422 is a hook used to open and close the lid 42. By placing your hand on the handle portion 422 and pulling the lid 42 towards the operator, the lid 42 is opened. By placing your hand on the handle portion 422 and pushing the lid 42 away from the operator, the lid 42 is closed. The keyhole 423 is a hole for inserting a key to switch between the open and closed states of the lid 42. By inserting the key into the keyhole 423 while the lid 42 is closed, the closed lid 42 can be made open or closed.

Figure 5 shows the storage case 4 with the lid 42 in the open position. As shown in Figure 5, the lid 42 is rotatably connected to the housing 41 by a pivot shaft 443 located on the lower edge of the housing 41. The lid 42 opens and closes the storage case 4 by rotating around the pivot shaft 443.

The housing 41 has a mounting section 411 and a mounting section 412 inside. The mounting section 411 is located at the bottom of the housing 41, and the mounting section 412 is located a predetermined distance above the mounting section 411. Both the mounting section 411 and the mounting section 412 are trays for stacking and storing gift certificates. The mounting section 411 stores gift certificates inserted through the slit 421. The mounting section 412 stores gift certificates inserted through the slit 424.

Furthermore, the gift certificates stored in the mounting section 412 are stored further back in the housing 41 than the gift certificates stored in the mounting section 411. The storage state of the gift certificates in the storage case 4 will be described later in Figure 7.

Figure 6 shows that two pairs of hook holes 66 (a total of four) are formed at both ends (the upper and lower ends in Figure 6) of the bottom surface 67 of the printer 6. When the printer 6 is attached to the main body 2, each of the hooks 71 formed on the mounting portion 7 engages with (fits into) the hook holes 66, thereby securely attaching the printer 6 to the main body 2.

Furthermore, four hook holes corresponding to the hook holes 66 are formed on the bottom surface of the storage case 4 (not shown) at the same positions as the printer 6. Each of the hooks 71 formed on the mounting portion 7 engages with (fits into) the hook holes formed in the storage case 4, thereby permanently attaching the storage case 4 to the main body 2.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage state of gift certificates when the storage case 4 is attached to the main body 2. As shown in Figure 7, when the storage case 4 is attached to the main body 2, the mounting section 411 and mounting section 412 are held in an inclined state. The mounting section 411 and mounting section 412 are inclined so that the side with the lid 42 is upward and the opposite side is downward. Gift certificates Ga inserted from the slit 421 are stacked on the mounting section 411. Gift certificates Gb inserted from the slit 424 are stacked on the mounting section 412. Because the mounting section 411 is inclined, the portion a of the gift certificates Ga placed on the mounting section 411 is inclined so that the portion a closer to the lid 42 is positioned higher than the portion b further from the lid 42. The gift certificate Gb placed on the mounting section 412 is positioned at an angle such that the portion a closer to the lid 42 is higher than the portion b further away from the lid 42, due to the inclination of the mounting section 412.

The storage case 4 has a protrusion 45 formed at the rear of the housing 41, corresponding to the mounting section 412. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the gift certificates Gb inserted through the slit 424 and placed on the mounting section 412 enter the concave space formed by the protrusion 45 due to the inclination of the mounting section 412, and are stored further back than the gift certificates Ga placed on the mounting section 411. Therefore, when retrieving the gift certificates Ga placed on the mounting section 411, the gift certificates Gb placed on the mounting section 412 do not get in the way.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the main body 2 with the storage case 4 attached and the lid 42 open. As shown in Figure 8, the operating section 21 is positioned to the right of the mounting section 7 of the main body 2, and the width of the lid 42 is equal to or slightly shorter than the width L of the mounting base 22. Therefore, when the lid 42 is open, it is positioned on the mounting base 22 and does not cover the operating section 21. In other words, the lid 42 is positioned so as not to interfere with the operating section 21. Therefore, the operating section 21 can be operated with the lid 42 open.

The upper surface portion 43, located on the top surface of the housing 41 of the storage case 4, has various uses. Figure 9 shows an example in which a tape cutter 9 is mounted on the upper surface portion 43. The tape cutter 9 is fixed to the upper surface portion 43 in a well-known manner.

Furthermore, Figure 10 shows an example where a portion of the upper surface 43 is slightly recessed downwards to form a placement surface 431. The placement surface 431 is used, for example, when a customer places a gift certificate to hand to a store employee. Because the placement surface 431 is recessed, it prevents the placed gift certificate from falling out of the storage case 4.

As described above, the POS terminal 1 of this embodiment comprises a main body 2, an operation unit 21 provided on the operator side of the main body 2, a staff display unit 3 erected from the main body 2 and located above the main body 2, behind the operation unit 21, and a mounting unit 7 provided on the upper surface of the main body 2, either to the left or right of at least one of the operation unit 21 and the staff display unit 3, for detachably attaching a printer 6 or storage case 4 to the main body 2.

In this embodiment of the POS terminal 1, the printer 6 or storage case 4 can be attached to the main unit 2. Therefore, when the printer 6 is removed from the main unit 2, the storage case 4 can be attached to the position where the printer 6 was previously mounted. This allows for effective utilization of the space freed up by the removal of the printer 6.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the POS terminal 1 is used without the drawer by removing the printer 6 from the main unit 2, the storage case 4 can be attached to the position where the printer 6 was previously mounted, allowing the gift certificates that were stored in the drawer to be stored in the storage case 4.

The embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims.

For example, in this embodiment, the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21 are positioned on the right side of the main body 2, and the mounting unit 7 is positioned on the left side of the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21. However, this is not the only option; for example, the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21 may be positioned on the left side of the main body 2, and the mounting unit 7 may be positioned on the right side of the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21.

In this embodiment, the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21 are positioned on the right side of the main body 2, and the mounting unit 7 is positioned on the left side of the employee display unit 3 and the operation unit 21. However, the mounting unit 7 may also be positioned to the left of the employee display unit 3 or the operation unit 21, or to the right of the employee display unit 3 or the operation unit 21.

In this embodiment, the storage case 4 was positioned so that its lid 42 would not interfere with the operating unit 21 when open. However, positioning the storage case 4 in a way that prevents interference with the operating unit 21 when the lid 42 is open is not a mandatory requirement.

In this embodiment, the storage case 4 is provided with mounting sections 411 and 412, creating a two-tiered arrangement. However, the design is not limited to this configuration; any single or more mounting sections are acceptable.

1 POS terminal 2 Main unit 3 Clerk display unit 4 Storage case 5 Customer display unit 6 Printer 7 Mounting unit 8 Card reader 9 Tape cutter 21 Operation unit 22 Stand 41 Housing 42 Lid 43 Top surface 45 Protruding part 61 Printing unit 66 Hook hole 67 Bottom surface 71 Hook 411 Mounting unit 412 Mounting unit 421 Slit 422 Handle 423 Keyhole 424 Slit 431 Mounting surface

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-24939

Claims (7)

The main unit and
The operating unit provided on the operator's side of the main unit,
A display unit is erected from the main body and is located above the main body, behind the operating section,
A mounting portion for detachably attaching a printer to the main body is provided on the upper surface of the main body, to the left or right of at least one of the operation unit and the display unit,
Equipped with ,
The aforementioned mounting section allows the storage case to be detachably attached to the position where the printer was removed.
Product sales data processing device. The printer attached to the mounting part ejects a receipt towards the operator.
Product sales data processing device according to claim 1. The storage case is equipped with a lid that can be opened and closed, and the lid can be opened to the operator when the storage case is attached to the mounting part.
Product sales data processing device according to claim 1. The main unit and
The operating unit provided on the operator's side of the main unit,
A display unit is erected from the main body and is located above the main body, behind the operating section,
A mounting portion is provided on the upper surface of the main body, to the left or right of at least one of the operation unit and the display unit, for detachably attaching a printer or storage case to the main body,
Equipped with ,
The storage case is equipped with a lid that can be opened and closed, and the lid can be opened to the operator when the storage case is attached to the mounting part.
Product sales data processing device. The lid is opened to a position where it does not interfere with the operating part when the storage case is attached to the mounting part.
Product sales data processing device according to claim 3 or 4 . The storage case is a voucher case capable of storing vouchers, and the lid has a slit for inserting the vouchers.
Product sales data processing device according to claim 3 or 4 . The aforementioned gift certificate case, when attached to the main body, is capable of storing the gift certificates in an inclined manner, with the portion of the gift certificate closest to the lid positioned higher than the portion furthest from the lid, and the gift certificates stored in the upper section are positioned further back than the gift certificates stored in the lower section.
Product sales data processing device according to claim 6 .