US20110147454A1 - Self-checkout terminal and control method therefor - Google Patents
Self-checkout terminal and control method therefor Download PDFInfo
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- US20110147454A1 US20110147454A1 US12/942,153 US94215310A US2011147454A1 US 20110147454 A1 US20110147454 A1 US 20110147454A1 US 94215310 A US94215310 A US 94215310A US 2011147454 A1 US2011147454 A1 US 2011147454A1
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- reading
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- light emitting
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
- G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
- G06K7/10861—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
- G06K7/1404—Methods for optical code recognition
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to a self-checkout terminal that a customer herself or himself operates to complete a series of checkout processing and a control method for the self-checkout terminal.
- a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal of an over-the-counter sales type which a store clerk operates to register sales data, includes a scanner for barcode reading.
- the store clerk as an operator of the terminal of this type holds a barcode attached to a commodity purchased by a customer over a reading position of the scanner and inputs commodity information related to the commodity to the POS terminal.
- a checkout system of a self-checkout type is being spread.
- a self-checkout terminal that is a type of a POS terminal and with which a customer herself of himself can complete a series of checkout processing is used.
- a customer who is about to perform checkout in the self-checkout terminal holds a barcode attached to a commodity over a reading window of a vertical scanner, which is provided on a housing surface or the like of the terminal, by herself or himself and inputs commodity information.
- the customer finishes inputting commodity information for all commodities, the customer pays a price, which is calculated on the basis of the input commodity information, by cash, a card, electronic money, or the like to complete a series of checkout processing.
- a display unit provided in the self-checkout terminal in addition to the registered commodity information, guidance or the like of an operation method for customers unaccustomed to operation is displayed.
- the customer When a customer performs checkout in the POS terminal of the self-checkout type, the customer has to hold a barcode attached to a commodity over the reading window of the scanner by herself or himself. However, in general, the customer is unaccustomed to this holding action. In some case, the customer does not know which direction with respect to the reading window the customer should hold the barcode at what position. It is also likely that light from a light source included in the scanner is blocked by a hand of the operator herself or himself during the reading action and the barcode is not sufficiently illuminated.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a self-checkout terminal according to a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illumination range of a light emitting unit included in the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of a self-checkout terminal according to a second embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a self-checkout terminal according to a third embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of the self-checkout terminal according to the third embodiment.
- a self-checkout terminal includes a reading unit and a light emitting unit.
- the reading unit reads commodity information from a commodity held over a reading position.
- the light emitting unit emits light in a first color to illuminate the reading position and emits light in a second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
- a self-checkout terminal that a customer herself or himself operates to complete a series of checkout processing is explained as an example.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a self-checkout terminal according to a first embodiment.
- This self-checkout terminal 1 includes a commodity placing table 2 , a commodity placing table 3 , and a main body 4 vertically provided on the commodity placing table 2 .
- the commodity placing table 2 includes a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of commodities placed on the loading surface 5 and commodities jammed in the register bag attached to the hooking sections 6 .
- the commodity placing table 3 includes a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of commodities placed on the loading surface 7 . The weights measured by the weight measuring units are used for weight check for preventing an omission of registration of a commodity and an illegal act.
- a display unit 8 , a light emitting unit 9 , a reading window 10 used for reading of a barcode attached to a commodity, a receipt issue port 11 for discharging a receipt, and an electronic settlement terminal 12 that communicates with an electronic money medium by radio are provide in a housing of the main body 4 .
- the display unit 8 is a display with touch panel in which a touch panel is attached to the front surface of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
- LCD Liquid Crystal Display
- the light emitting unit 9 is configured by combining an LED 9 a that emits light in white (a first color), an LED 9 b that emits light in blue (a second color), and an LED 9 c that emits light in red (a third color).
- the light emitting unit 9 is provided between the display unit 8 and the reading window 10 . Consequently, the light emitting unit 9 is located closer to a reading position for a barcode (a position right opposed to the reading window 10 ) than the display unit 8 . Therefore, a customer who is holding a barcode over the reading window 10 while looking at near the reading position can more easily visually recognize the light emitting unit 9 than the display unit 8 .
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1 .
- a ROM Read Only Memory
- a RAM Random Access Memory
- a timer 23 a communication I/F (Interface) 24
- a HDD Hard Disk Drive
- a display unit controller 26 an electronic settlement terminal controller 27
- a printer controller 28 a scanner controller 29
- a light emitting unit controller 30 are connected to a CPU 20 , which functions as a center of control, by a bus line 31 such as an address bus or a data bus.
- a communication cable 32 connected for communication to a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in a store is connected to the communication I/F 24 .
- An LCD panel 8 a and a touch panel 8 b of the display unit 8 are connected to the display unit controller 26 .
- the electronic settlement terminal 12 is connected to the electronic settlement terminal controller 27 .
- a receipt printer 33 is connected to the printer controller 28 .
- a scanner 34 (a reading unit) is connected to the scanner controller 29 .
- the light emitting unit 9 is connected to the light emitting unit controller 30 .
- the ROM 21 has stored therein stationary data such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).
- BIOS Basic Input/Output System
- the RAM 22 forms various storage areas for work according to processing scenes.
- the RAM 22 forms a sales data registration area for registering sales data obtained by adding the number of sold items to PLU (Price Look Up) data.
- the timer 23 measures system date and time used for the operation of the self-checkout terminal 1 .
- the HDD 25 has stored therein data necessary for the operation of the self-checkout terminal 1 such as an OS (Operating System) file, an application file, and a PLU file.
- OS Operating System
- PLU file PLU data including commodity names and sales unit prices of commodities are registered in association with PLU codes allocated to respective commodities.
- the display unit controller 26 converts display data output from the CPU 20 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the LCD panel 8 a .
- the display unit controller 26 calculates, on the basis of an electric signal output from the touch panel 8 b , a coordinate of a touch-operated position and notifies the CPU 20 of the coordinate.
- the LCD panel 8 a displays, for a customer who operates the self-checkout terminal 1 , information based on the video signal output from the display unit controller 26 .
- the touch panel 8 b is a touch panel of a resistance film type (a resistive touch panel) configured to, for example, output a voltage drop amount corresponding to a contact position.
- the electronic settlement terminal controller 27 controls communication timing between the electronic settlement terminal 12 and an electronic money medium such as an IC card or a portable communication terminal and notifies the CPU 20 of electronic money information detected from the electronic money medium by the electronic settlement terminal 12 .
- the receipt printer 33 is a so-called thermal printer configured to, for example, convey a receipt sheet as thermal recording paper with a conveying roller while nipping the receipt sheet with a thermal head and a platen roller.
- a receipt printed by the receipt printer 33 is discharged from the receipt issue port 11 .
- the printer controller 28 drives the receipt printer 33 to form a pattern based on print data received from the CPU 20 on the receipt sheet.
- the scanner 34 is a barcode scanner of a camera imaging type and includes a light source 34 a for illuminating a reading position for a barcode, an image sensor 34 b in which imaging devices such as CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) are arrayed in a row, and a decoder 34 c .
- the image sensor 34 b converts reflected light from a commodity illuminated by the light source 34 a into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the decoder 34 c .
- the decoder 34 c analyzes the video signal output from the image sensor 34 b and generates barcode data.
- the scanner controller 29 controls timing for reading of a barcode by the scanner 34 and notifies the CPU 20 of the barcode data output from the scanner 34 .
- the light emitting unit controller 30 controls the light emitting unit 9 to turn on and turn off the LEDs 9 a to 9 c .
- the LED 9 a plays a role of auxiliarily illuminating the reading position for barcode by the scanner 34 and indicating the reading position to the customer.
- the LEDs 9 b and 9 c play a role of informing the customer of success or failure of reading of the barcode.
- reference numeral 100 denotes a commodity held over the reading window 10 and 110 denotes a barcode attached to the commodity 100 .
- An illumination range 120 by the LED 9 a is set smaller than a reading range 130 for the barcode 110 by the scanner 34 .
- the customer only has to adjust a position where the customer holds the commodity 100 over the reading window 10 such that the barcode 110 is located in the illumination range 120.
- the weight measuring unit incorporated in the commodity placing table 3 reacts and measures total weight of these commodities.
- the checkout processing is started by being triggered by the measurement of the total weight.
- the scanner 34 is controlled by the scanner controller 29 to start illumination by the light source 34 a and shifts to a state for receiving reading of a barcode.
- the barcode is decoded by the decoder 34 c .
- Data decoded in this way i.e., a PLU code (commodity information) is notified to the CPU 20 .
- the CPU 20 that receives the notification of the PLU code retrieves PLU data associated with the detected PLU code from the PLU file stored in the HDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in a storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 .
- a closing key for declaring the completion of input of the PLU code is displayed on the display unit 8 .
- a price of the commercial transaction is calculated on the basis of the sales data registered in the storage area for sales data registration and is displayed on the display unit 8 .
- the electronic settlement terminal 12 is controlled by the electronic settlement terminal controller 27 to shift to a state for standing by for communication with an electronic money medium.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by the CPU 20 in the light emission control.
- the CPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1 ). For example, if a change equal to or larger than a threshold set in advance occurs in a video signal output from the image sensor 34 b , the CPU 20 determines that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 . Alternatively, if the decoder 34 c detects some bar pattern, the CPU 20 may determine that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 .
- the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn on the LED 9 a (ACT 2 ).
- the reading range for a barcode by the scanner 34 is auxiliarily illuminated. The customer adjusts an angle and a position for holding the commodity over the reading window 10 such that a barcode attached to the commodity is located in the illumination range of the LED 9 a.
- the CPU 20 determines whether the scanner 34 succeeds in reading of the barcode (ACT 3 ). If the decoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3 ). In this case, the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a and instantaneously turn on the LED 9 b (ACT 4 ). According to the turn-on of the LED 9 b , the light emitting unit 9 emits light in red. Therefore, the customer can recognize that the scanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode. Thereafter, the CPU 20 returns to ACT 1 and repeats the processing in ACT 1 and subsequent acts.
- the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3 ). In this case, the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a and instantaneously turn on the LED 9 c (ACT 5 ). According to the turn-on of the LED 9 c , the light emitting unit 9 emits light in blue. Therefore, the customer can recognize that the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode.
- the CPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in the HDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6 ).
- a series of light emission control for the light emitting unit 9 ends.
- the light emitting unit 9 included in the self-checkout terminal 1 emits light in white and illuminates the reading position for a barcode by the scanner 34 . Since the customer only has to hold the barcode over the position illuminated by the light emitting unit 9 , the customer can easily grasp an angle and a position for holding the commodity over the reading window 10 . As a result, reading work for the barcode is smoothened and the checkout processing is quickened.
- the illumination of the reading position by the light emitting unit 9 also plays a role of auxiliary illumination. In other words, since the barcode is illuminated with a sufficient amount of light, there is also an effect that reading accuracy for the barcode by the scanner 34 is improved.
- the light emitting unit 9 emits light in blue. If the reading is unsuccessful, the light emitting unit 9 emits light in red. Therefore, the customer can recognize success or failure of the reading of the barcode without the necessity of checking display content of the display unit 8 . Further, since the light emitting unit 9 is arranged in a position closer to the reading position than the display unit 8 , moving width of the line of sight of the customer for checking success or failure of the reading of the barcode is reduced to be smaller than that for checking the display content of the display unit 8 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce time until the customer shifts to the next reading action.
- This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that success of reading of a barcode by the scanner 34 is informed by turning off the LED 9 a .
- components same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs and redundant explanation of the components is omitted.
- a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. However, the LED 9 c does not have to be provided in the light emitting unit 9 .
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by the CPU 20 in light emission control for the light emitting unit 9 in this embodiment.
- the CPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1 ). If it is determined that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (Yes in ACT 1 ), the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn on the LED 9 a (ACT 2 ).
- the CPU 20 determines whether the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (ACT 3 ). If the decoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3 ).
- the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a and instantaneously turn on the LED 9 b (ACT 4 ).
- the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3 ).
- the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a (ACT 5 a ).
- the CPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in the HDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6 ).
- a series of light emission control for the light emitting unit 9 ends.
- the self-checkout terminal 1 causes, if a commodity is held over the reading position, the light emitting unit 9 to emit light in white to auxiliarily illuminate the commodity and turns off the illumination if reading of a barcode is successful.
- the light emitting unit 9 causes, if a commodity is held over the reading position, the light emitting unit 9 to emit light in white to auxiliarily illuminate the commodity and turns off the illumination if reading of a barcode is successful.
- the configuration of this embodiment can be realized if the light emitting unit 9 emits light in at least two colors. Therefore, the configuration of the light emitting unit 9 can be simplified.
- a third embodiment is explained below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the LED 9 a is turned on if auxiliary illumination by the light emitting unit 9 is necessary when the scanner 34 reads a barcode.
- components same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs and redundant explanation of the components is omitted.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1 .
- the scanner 34 in this embodiment includes a light-amount detecting circuit 34 d (a light-amount detecting unit) that detects insufficiency of a light amount of illumination on the reading position.
- the light-amount detecting circuit 34 d is configured to detect insufficiency of a light amount if the amplitude of a video signal output from the image sensor 34 b does not reach a threshold set in advance.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by the CPU 20 in light emission control for the light emitting unit 9 in this embodiment.
- the CPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1 ). If it is determined that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (Yes in ACT 1 ), the CPU 20 determines whether auxiliary illumination by the light emitting unit 9 is necessary (ACT 2 a ).
- the CPU 20 determines that illumination by the light emitting unit 9 is necessary (Yes in ACT 2 a ). In this case, the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn on the LED 9 a (ACT 2 ).
- the CPU 20 After turning on the LED 9 a or if insufficiency of a light amount is not detected by the light-amount detecting circuit 34 d (No in ACT 2 a ), the CPU 20 determines whether the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (ACT 3 ). If the decoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3 ). The CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a and instantaneously turn on the LED 9 b (ACT 4 ).
- the CPU 20 determines that the scanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3 ).
- the CPU 20 controls the light emitting unit 9 via the light emitting unit controller 30 to turn off the LED 9 a and turn on the LED 9 c (ACT 5 ).
- the CPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in the HDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6 ).
- a series of light emission control for the light emitting unit 9 ends.
- the self-checkout terminal 1 if a commodity is held over the reading position and a light amount necessary for the scanner 34 to read a barcode attached to the commodity is insufficient, the light emitting unit 9 emits light in white and illuminates the commodity. In this way, if the self-checkout terminal 1 is configured to cause the LED 9 a of the light emitting unit 9 to emit light only when necessary, it is possible to prevent the reading position from being excessively illuminated while realizing a function of the light emitting unit 9 as the auxiliary illumination.
- the light emitting unit 9 is provided between the display unit 8 and the reading window 10 .
- the position where the light emitting unit 9 is provided may be modified and implemented within a range in which visibility of the light emitting unit 9 is not lost.
- the light emitting unit 9 can also be provided below or on the left and right of the reading window 10 .
- the scanner 34 reads a barcode held over the reading window 10 and inputs a PLU code of a purchased commodity.
- the scanner 34 may read another kind of symbol such as a two-dimensional code attached to a commodity and read information for specifying the commodity.
- a camera may be provided instead of the scanner 34 to discriminate a type of a commodity held over the reading window 10 according to a hue or shape of the commodity itself.
- the self-checkout terminal including the barcode scanner of the camera imaging type is explained as an example.
- the configurations disclosed in the embodiments may be applied to a self-checkout terminal including a barcode scanner of a laser type that scans a laser beam in a reading position.
- the LED 9 a is turned off and the LED 9 c is turned on when reading of a barcode is successful.
- the configuration of the second embodiment may be applied to the third embodiment to cause, without using the LED 9 c , a customer to recognize success of reading of a barcode by turning off the LED 9 a.
- the self-checkout terminal is explained as an example. However, configurations same as those of the embodiments may be applied to a commodity information reading apparatus such as a scanner used while being connected to a self-checkout terminal, a POS terminal, or the like.
- a commodity information reading apparatus such as a scanner used while being connected to a self-checkout terminal, a POS terminal, or the like.
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a self-checkout terminal includes a reading unit and a light emitting unit. The reading unit reads commodity information from a commodity held over a reading position. The light emitting unit emits light in a first color to illuminate the reading position and emits light in a second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-291334, filed on Dec. 22, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- Embodiments described herein relate generally to a self-checkout terminal that a customer herself or himself operates to complete a series of checkout processing and a control method for the self-checkout terminal.
- In general, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal of an over-the-counter sales type, which a store clerk operates to register sales data, includes a scanner for barcode reading. The store clerk as an operator of the terminal of this type holds a barcode attached to a commodity purchased by a customer over a reading position of the scanner and inputs commodity information related to the commodity to the POS terminal.
- In the past, there is known a technique for informing success or failure of reading of a barcode by sound or display such that a cashier can easily recognize whether the barcode is normally read by the scanner. As an example, there is known a hand scanner that, if reading of a barcode is abnormal, informs to that effect by emitting sound from a speaker and blinking an LED.
- In recent years, in retail stores such as a supermarket and a convenience store, a checkout system of a self-checkout type is being spread. In this system, a self-checkout terminal that is a type of a POS terminal and with which a customer herself of himself can complete a series of checkout processing is used.
- A customer who is about to perform checkout in the self-checkout terminal holds a barcode attached to a commodity over a reading window of a vertical scanner, which is provided on a housing surface or the like of the terminal, by herself or himself and inputs commodity information. When the customer finishes inputting commodity information for all commodities, the customer pays a price, which is calculated on the basis of the input commodity information, by cash, a card, electronic money, or the like to complete a series of checkout processing. On a display unit provided in the self-checkout terminal, in addition to the registered commodity information, guidance or the like of an operation method for customers unaccustomed to operation is displayed.
- If such a checkout system of the self-checkout type is installed, since it is unnecessary to post a store clerk at each register, it is possible to substantially reduce personnel expenses.
- When a customer performs checkout in the POS terminal of the self-checkout type, the customer has to hold a barcode attached to a commodity over the reading window of the scanner by herself or himself. However, in general, the customer is unaccustomed to this holding action. In some case, the customer does not know which direction with respect to the reading window the customer should hold the barcode at what position. It is also likely that light from a light source included in the scanner is blocked by a hand of the operator herself or himself during the reading action and the barcode is not sufficiently illuminated.
- If, every time the customer holds a barcode over the reading window, the customer glances at input commodity information displayed on the display unit to determine success or failure of reading of the barcode, it takes long until the customer finishes inputting commodity information for all commodities.
- Depending on a position where the self-checkout terminal is set, it is likely that external illumination such as in-store illumination is blocked by the terminal itself or another obstacle or the like and a sufficient amount of light necessary for reading a barcode with the scanner cannot be secured.
- In this way, there are various problems concerning input of commodity information performed by using the self-checkout terminal.
-
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a self-checkout terminal according to a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an illumination range of a light emitting unit included in the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of the self-checkout terminal according to the first embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of a self-checkout terminal according to a second embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a self-checkout terminal according to a third embodiment; and -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by a CPU of the self-checkout terminal according to the third embodiment. - In general, according to one embodiment, a self-checkout terminal includes a reading unit and a light emitting unit. The reading unit reads commodity information from a commodity held over a reading position. The light emitting unit emits light in a first color to illuminate the reading position and emits light in a second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
- First, second, and third embodiments are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- In the embodiments, a self-checkout terminal that a customer herself or himself operates to complete a series of checkout processing is explained as an example.
-
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a self-checkout terminal according to a first embodiment. This self-checkout terminal 1 includes a commodity placing table 2, a commodity placing table 3, and amain body 4 vertically provided on the commodity placing table 2. - A
loading surface 5 on which commodities, for which reading of barcodes is completed, are placed and a pair of hookingsections 6 that hook gripping portions of a register bag are provided on the commodity placing table 2. Aloading surface 7 on which commodities, for which reading of barcodes is not completed, are placed is provided on the commodity placing table 3. - The commodity placing table 2 includes a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of commodities placed on the
loading surface 5 and commodities jammed in the register bag attached to thehooking sections 6. The commodity placing table 3 includes a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of commodities placed on theloading surface 7. The weights measured by the weight measuring units are used for weight check for preventing an omission of registration of a commodity and an illegal act. - A
display unit 8, alight emitting unit 9, areading window 10 used for reading of a barcode attached to a commodity, areceipt issue port 11 for discharging a receipt, and anelectronic settlement terminal 12 that communicates with an electronic money medium by radio are provide in a housing of themain body 4. - The
display unit 8 is a display with touch panel in which a touch panel is attached to the front surface of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). - The
light emitting unit 9 is configured by combining anLED 9 a that emits light in white (a first color), anLED 9 b that emits light in blue (a second color), and anLED 9 c that emits light in red (a third color). Thelight emitting unit 9 is provided between thedisplay unit 8 and thereading window 10. Consequently, thelight emitting unit 9 is located closer to a reading position for a barcode (a position right opposed to the reading window 10) than thedisplay unit 8. Therefore, a customer who is holding a barcode over thereading window 10 while looking at near the reading position can more easily visually recognize thelight emitting unit 9 than thedisplay unit 8. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1. In the control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, atimer 23, a communication I/F (Interface) 24, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 25, adisplay unit controller 26, an electronicsettlement terminal controller 27, aprinter controller 28, ascanner controller 29, and a lightemitting unit controller 30 are connected to aCPU 20, which functions as a center of control, by abus line 31 such as an address bus or a data bus. - A
communication cable 32 connected for communication to a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in a store is connected to the communication I/F 24. AnLCD panel 8 a and atouch panel 8 b of thedisplay unit 8 are connected to thedisplay unit controller 26. Theelectronic settlement terminal 12 is connected to the electronicsettlement terminal controller 27. Areceipt printer 33 is connected to theprinter controller 28. A scanner 34 (a reading unit) is connected to thescanner controller 29. Thelight emitting unit 9 is connected to the lightemitting unit controller 30. - The
ROM 21 has stored therein stationary data such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). - The
RAM 22 forms various storage areas for work according to processing scenes. In particular, during execution of checkout processing, theRAM 22 forms a sales data registration area for registering sales data obtained by adding the number of sold items to PLU (Price Look Up) data. - The
timer 23 measures system date and time used for the operation of the self-checkout terminal 1. - The HDD 25 has stored therein data necessary for the operation of the self-
checkout terminal 1 such as an OS (Operating System) file, an application file, and a PLU file. In the PLU file, PLU data including commodity names and sales unit prices of commodities are registered in association with PLU codes allocated to respective commodities. - The
display unit controller 26 converts display data output from theCPU 20 into a video signal and outputs the video signal to theLCD panel 8 a. Thedisplay unit controller 26 calculates, on the basis of an electric signal output from thetouch panel 8 b, a coordinate of a touch-operated position and notifies theCPU 20 of the coordinate. TheLCD panel 8 a displays, for a customer who operates the self-checkout terminal 1, information based on the video signal output from thedisplay unit controller 26. Thetouch panel 8 b is a touch panel of a resistance film type (a resistive touch panel) configured to, for example, output a voltage drop amount corresponding to a contact position. - The electronic
settlement terminal controller 27 controls communication timing between theelectronic settlement terminal 12 and an electronic money medium such as an IC card or a portable communication terminal and notifies theCPU 20 of electronic money information detected from the electronic money medium by theelectronic settlement terminal 12. - The
receipt printer 33 is a so-called thermal printer configured to, for example, convey a receipt sheet as thermal recording paper with a conveying roller while nipping the receipt sheet with a thermal head and a platen roller. A receipt printed by thereceipt printer 33 is discharged from thereceipt issue port 11. Theprinter controller 28 drives thereceipt printer 33 to form a pattern based on print data received from theCPU 20 on the receipt sheet. - The
scanner 34 is a barcode scanner of a camera imaging type and includes alight source 34 a for illuminating a reading position for a barcode, animage sensor 34 b in which imaging devices such as CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) are arrayed in a row, and adecoder 34 c. Theimage sensor 34 b converts reflected light from a commodity illuminated by thelight source 34 a into a video signal and outputs the video signal to thedecoder 34 c. Thedecoder 34 c analyzes the video signal output from theimage sensor 34 b and generates barcode data. Thescanner controller 29 controls timing for reading of a barcode by thescanner 34 and notifies theCPU 20 of the barcode data output from thescanner 34. - The light emitting
unit controller 30 controls thelight emitting unit 9 to turn on and turn off theLEDs 9 a to 9 c. TheLED 9 a plays a role of auxiliarily illuminating the reading position for barcode by thescanner 34 and indicating the reading position to the customer. On the other hand, theLEDs - An illumination range by the
LED 9 a is explained with reference to a schematic diagram ofFIG. 3 . - In the figure,
reference numeral 100 denotes a commodity held over the readingwindow commodity 100. Anillumination range 120 by theLED 9 a is set smaller than areading range 130 for thebarcode 110 by thescanner 34. The customer only has to adjust a position where the customer holds thecommodity 100 over the readingwindow 10 such that thebarcode 110 is located in theillumination range 120. - The operation of the self-
checkout terminal 1 is explained below. - First, a series of flow of checkout processing performed by using the self-
checkout terminal 1 is explained. - When the customer places a shopping basket including commodities before purchase on the
loading surface 7 of the commodity placing table 3, the weight measuring unit incorporated in the commodity placing table 3 reacts and measures total weight of these commodities. The checkout processing is started by being triggered by the measurement of the total weight. At this point, thescanner 34 is controlled by thescanner controller 29 to start illumination by thelight source 34 a and shifts to a state for receiving reading of a barcode. - When the customer takes out a commodity from the shopping basket placed on the commodity placing table 3 and holds a barcode attached to the commodity over the reading
window 10, the barcode is decoded by thedecoder 34 c. Data decoded in this way, i.e., a PLU code (commodity information) is notified to theCPU 20. TheCPU 20 that receives the notification of the PLU code retrieves PLU data associated with the detected PLU code from the PLU file stored in theHDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in a storage area for sales data registration formed in theRAM 22. - While reading of the barcode is received, a closing key for declaring the completion of input of the PLU code is displayed on the
display unit 8. When reading of barcodes is completed for all the commodities, the customer touch-operates the closing key. Then, a price of the commercial transaction is calculated on the basis of the sales data registered in the storage area for sales data registration and is displayed on thedisplay unit 8. After the price is displayed, theelectronic settlement terminal 12 is controlled by the electronicsettlement terminal controller 27 to shift to a state for standing by for communication with an electronic money medium. - At this point, if the customer holds an electronic money medium of the customer over the
electronic settlement terminal 12, electronic money information necessary for electronic settlement is read from the electronic money medium. When the electronic money information is notified from the electronicsettlement terminal controller 27, theCPU 20 performs electronic money settlement according to a well-known procedure, completes one commercial transaction, and ends the checkout processing. - Light emission control for the
light emitting unit 9, which is characteristic control of this embodiment, is explained below. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by theCPU 20 in the light emission control. - While the
scanner 34 receives reading of a barcode in the checkout processing, theCPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1). For example, if a change equal to or larger than a threshold set in advance occurs in a video signal output from theimage sensor 34 b, theCPU 20 determines that a commodity is held over the readingwindow 10. Alternatively, if thedecoder 34 c detects some bar pattern, theCPU 20 may determine that a commodity is held over the readingwindow 10. - If it is determined in the processing in
ACT 1 that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (Yes in ACT 1), theCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn on theLED 9 a (ACT 2). According to the turn-on of theLED 9 a, as explained with reference toFIG. 3 , the reading range for a barcode by thescanner 34 is auxiliarily illuminated. The customer adjusts an angle and a position for holding the commodity over the readingwindow 10 such that a barcode attached to the commodity is located in the illumination range of theLED 9 a. - After turning on the
LED 9 a, theCPU 20 determines whether thescanner 34 succeeds in reading of the barcode (ACT 3). If thedecoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3). In this case, theCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a and instantaneously turn on theLED 9 b (ACT 4). According to the turn-on of theLED 9 b, thelight emitting unit 9 emits light in red. Therefore, the customer can recognize that thescanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode. Thereafter, theCPU 20 returns toACT 1 and repeats the processing inACT 1 and subsequent acts. - On the other hand, if the
decoder 34 c can decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3). In this case, theCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a and instantaneously turn on theLED 9 c (ACT 5). According to the turn-on of theLED 9 c, thelight emitting unit 9 emits light in blue. Therefore, the customer can recognize that thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode. - Thereafter, the
CPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in theHDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6). A series of light emission control for thelight emitting unit 9 ends. - As explained above, the
light emitting unit 9 included in the self-checkout terminal 1 according to this embodiment emits light in white and illuminates the reading position for a barcode by thescanner 34. Since the customer only has to hold the barcode over the position illuminated by thelight emitting unit 9, the customer can easily grasp an angle and a position for holding the commodity over the readingwindow 10. As a result, reading work for the barcode is smoothened and the checkout processing is quickened. The illumination of the reading position by thelight emitting unit 9 also plays a role of auxiliary illumination. In other words, since the barcode is illuminated with a sufficient amount of light, there is also an effect that reading accuracy for the barcode by thescanner 34 is improved. - If the reading of the barcode by the
scanner 34 is successful, thelight emitting unit 9 emits light in blue. If the reading is unsuccessful, thelight emitting unit 9 emits light in red. Therefore, the customer can recognize success or failure of the reading of the barcode without the necessity of checking display content of thedisplay unit 8. Further, since thelight emitting unit 9 is arranged in a position closer to the reading position than thedisplay unit 8, moving width of the line of sight of the customer for checking success or failure of the reading of the barcode is reduced to be smaller than that for checking the display content of thedisplay unit 8. Therefore, it is possible to reduce time until the customer shifts to the next reading action. - A second embodiment is explained below with reference to
FIG. 5 . - This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that success of reading of a barcode by the
scanner 34 is informed by turning off theLED 9 a. Besides, components same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs and redundant explanation of the components is omitted. - A control circuit of the self-
checkout terminal 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. However, theLED 9 c does not have to be provided in thelight emitting unit 9. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by theCPU 20 in light emission control for thelight emitting unit 9 in this embodiment. - While the
scanner 34 receives reading of a barcode in checkout processing, theCPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1). If it is determined that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (Yes in ACT 1), theCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn on theLED 9 a (ACT 2). - After turning on the
LED 9 a, theCPU 20 determines whether thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (ACT 3). If thedecoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3). TheCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a and instantaneously turn on theLED 9 b (ACT 4). - On the other hand, if the
decoder 34 c can decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3). TheCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a (ACT 5 a). Thereafter, theCPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in theHDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6). A series of light emission control for thelight emitting unit 9 ends. - As explained above, the self-
checkout terminal 1 according to this embodiment causes, if a commodity is held over the reading position, thelight emitting unit 9 to emit light in white to auxiliarily illuminate the commodity and turns off the illumination if reading of a barcode is successful. With such a configuration, it is also possible to cause a customer to recognize the success of the reading of the barcode by turning off the auxiliary illumination. - The configuration of this embodiment can be realized if the
light emitting unit 9 emits light in at least two colors. Therefore, the configuration of thelight emitting unit 9 can be simplified. - Besides, it goes without saying that effects same as those in the first embodiment can be realized.
- A third embodiment is explained below with reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7 . - This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the
LED 9 a is turned on if auxiliary illumination by thelight emitting unit 9 is necessary when thescanner 34 reads a barcode. Besides, components same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs and redundant explanation of the components is omitted. -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the self-checkout terminal 1. Thescanner 34 in this embodiment includes a light-amount detecting circuit 34 d (a light-amount detecting unit) that detects insufficiency of a light amount of illumination on the reading position. The light-amount detecting circuit 34 d is configured to detect insufficiency of a light amount if the amplitude of a video signal output from theimage sensor 34 b does not reach a threshold set in advance. -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed by theCPU 20 in light emission control for thelight emitting unit 9 in this embodiment. - While the
scanner 34 receives reading of a barcode in checkout processing, theCPU 20 determines whether a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (ACT 1). If it is determined that a commodity is held over the reading window 10 (Yes in ACT 1), theCPU 20 determines whether auxiliary illumination by thelight emitting unit 9 is necessary (ACT 2 a). - If insufficiency of a light amount of illumination on the reading position is detected by the light-
amount detecting circuit 34 d, theCPU 20 determines that illumination by thelight emitting unit 9 is necessary (Yes inACT 2 a). In this case, theCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn on theLED 9 a (ACT 2). - After turning on the
LED 9 a or if insufficiency of a light amount is not detected by the light-amount detecting circuit 34 d (No inACT 2 a), theCPU 20 determines whether thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (ACT 3). If thedecoder 34 c cannot decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 fails in the reading of the barcode (No in ACT 3). TheCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a and instantaneously turn on theLED 9 b (ACT 4). - On the other hand, if the
decoder 34 c can decode the barcode, theCPU 20 determines that thescanner 34 succeeds in the reading of the barcode (Yes in ACT 3). TheCPU 20 controls thelight emitting unit 9 via the light emittingunit controller 30 to turn off theLED 9 a and turn on theLED 9 c (ACT 5). Thereafter, theCPU 20 retrieves PLU data associated with a PLU code, which is decoded barcode data, from the PLU file stored in theHDD 25 and registers sales data obtained by associating the number of sold items with the found PLU data in the storage area for sales data registration formed in the RAM 22 (ACT 6). A series of light emission control for thelight emitting unit 9 ends. - As explained above, in the self-
checkout terminal 1 according to this embodiment, if a commodity is held over the reading position and a light amount necessary for thescanner 34 to read a barcode attached to the commodity is insufficient, thelight emitting unit 9 emits light in white and illuminates the commodity. In this way, if the self-checkout terminal 1 is configured to cause theLED 9 a of thelight emitting unit 9 to emit light only when necessary, it is possible to prevent the reading position from being excessively illuminated while realizing a function of thelight emitting unit 9 as the auxiliary illumination. - Besides, it goes without saying that effects same as those in the embodiments explained above are realized.
- In the explanation of the embodiments, the
light emitting unit 9 is provided between thedisplay unit 8 and the readingwindow 10. However, the position where thelight emitting unit 9 is provided may be modified and implemented within a range in which visibility of thelight emitting unit 9 is not lost. For example, thelight emitting unit 9 can also be provided below or on the left and right of the readingwindow 10. However, depending on a setting position of thelight emitting unit 9, it is likely that thelight emitting unit 9 is blocked by a hand of a customer who performs a scanning action for a barcode or by a commodity. Therefore, it is desirable to provide thelight emitting unit 9 in a position where visibility can be sufficiently secured taking into account, for example, the shape of a housing of the self-checkout terminal to which the configurations of the embodiments are applied. - In the explanation of the embodiments, the
scanner 34 reads a barcode held over the readingwindow 10 and inputs a PLU code of a purchased commodity. However, thescanner 34 may read another kind of symbol such as a two-dimensional code attached to a commodity and read information for specifying the commodity. Further, a camera may be provided instead of thescanner 34 to discriminate a type of a commodity held over the readingwindow 10 according to a hue or shape of the commodity itself. - In the embodiments, the self-checkout terminal including the barcode scanner of the camera imaging type is explained as an example. However, the configurations disclosed in the embodiments may be applied to a self-checkout terminal including a barcode scanner of a laser type that scans a laser beam in a reading position.
- In the third embodiment, the
LED 9 a is turned off and theLED 9 c is turned on when reading of a barcode is successful. However, the configuration of the second embodiment may be applied to the third embodiment to cause, without using theLED 9 c, a customer to recognize success of reading of a barcode by turning off theLED 9 a. - In the embodiments, the self-checkout terminal is explained as an example. However, configurations same as those of the embodiments may be applied to a commodity information reading apparatus such as a scanner used while being connected to a self-checkout terminal, a POS terminal, or the like.
- While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Claims (10)
1. A self-checkout terminal comprising:
a reading unit configured to read commodity information from a commodity held over a reading position; and
a light emitting unit configured to emit light in a first color to illuminate the reading position and emit light in a second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
2. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit emits light in a third color when the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit is unsuccessful.
3. The terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit provided in a housing of the terminal and configured to display the commodity information read by the reading unit, wherein
the reading unit and the light emitting unit are provided in the housing such that the light emitting unit is located closer to the display unit than the reading unit.
4. The terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the light emitting unit is provided in the housing to be located between the reading unit and the display unit.
5. The terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising a light-amount detecting unit configured to detect whether a light amount necessary for reading the commodity information from the commodity held over the reading position with the reading unit is insufficient, wherein
the light emitting unit emits, when insufficiency of the light amount is detected by the light-amount detecting unit, light in the first color to illuminate the commodity held over the reading position and emits light in the second color in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
6. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the reading unit includes a light source for illuminating the reading position and reads the commodity information from the commodity held over the reading position illuminated by the light source and the light emitting unit.
7. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein a range that the light emitting unit illuminates by emitting light in the first color is set smaller than a range in which the reading unit can read the commodity information from the commodity held over the reading position.
8. A self-checkout terminal comprising:
a reading unit having a light source for illuminating a reading position and configured to read commodity information from a commodity held over the reading position and illuminated by the light source; and
a light emitting unit configured to emit light in response to the holding of the commodity over the reading position to auxiliarily illuminate the reading position and turn off the light in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
9. The terminal according to claim 8 , wherein a range that the light emitting unit illuminates is set smaller than a range in which the reading unit can read the commodity information from the commodity held over the reading position.
10. A control method for a self-checkout terminal including: a reading unit having a light source for illuminating a reading position and configured to read commodity information from a commodity held over the reading position and illuminated by the light source; and a light emitting unit configured to auxiliarily illuminate the reading position, the method comprising:
detecting the commodity held over the reading position;
causing the light emitting unit to emit light to auxiliarily illuminate the reading position when the commodity held over the reading position is detected; and
turning off the light emitting unit in response to the reading of the commodity information by the reading unit.
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9033229B2 (en) | 2015-05-19 |
JP5138667B2 (en) | 2013-02-06 |
US20140191037A1 (en) | 2014-07-10 |
JP2011134006A (en) | 2011-07-07 |
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