JP2001066372A - Bar-code scanner with metal detection device and portable bar-code scanner with metal detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve working efficiency and safety by setting a bar-code scanner and a metal detection means to a flat type, and by setting the metal detection surface of the metal detection means and the scanner surface of the bar-code scanner onto nearly the same surface. SOLUTION: The bar-code scanner with a metal detection device is composed of a bar-code scanner 11 that is provided in a post 13 being erected at a side opposite to a side where a salesperson of a counter base 2 stands for opening a scanner surface to the side of the counter base 2, a metal detector 12 that is provided in the counter base 2 for opening a metal detection surface on the upper surface of the counter, and the like. The bar-code scanner 11 is vertically fixed, the scanner surface is covered with a ray transmission plate, and the bar code of a product can be read by the automatic scanning of a laser beam being emitted by an inside laser beam transmission device. Also, the scanner surface is mounted so that it is nearly flush with the side surface of the post 13. The upper plate of the metal detector 12 is made of synthetic resin, is stiff, at the same time, is smoothly formed, and is screwed onto the upper surface of the counter base 2 for supporting, thus eliminating projections on the counter base 2, and hence easily securing working space.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code scanner with a metal detector used in a supermarket, a convenience store and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In stores such as supermarkets, merchandise is displayed on storage shelves for each item, and a bar code-printed label is attached to the merchandise, or a bar code is printed on the exterior of the merchandise. At these stores, the self-purchase sales form is generally used in which the purchaser selects and purchases necessary items from the displayed products by himself / herself, and the purchase price is settled by a so-called check by a clerk assigned to the store. This is done at the out counter. Here, when the bar code of each purchased product is read by the clerk with a scanner, the price of each product is specified and the price is stored in the electronic cash register. Then, the prices of all purchased products are summed up in the electronic cash register, and the products are settled. By the way, in the self-purchase format as described above, the purchaser can freely select the product, but can freely pick it up, so that metal such as sewing needles are intentionally mixed for harassment purpose or accidental. May be mixed in. However, it is practically difficult to constantly monitor the entire store in order to prevent such a situation. Therefore, especially in the case where metal is mixed at the display site of merchandise in a store or the like, the current situation is that no action can be taken after all.

Therefore, a checkout counter having a metal detector and a barcode scanner has been proposed to inspect the presence or absence of metal contamination immediately before purchasing a product (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-97681). When a purchaser places a product such as food or a basket containing the product on a counter table, a clerk approaches the bar code scanner on the counter table and reads the bar code. In addition to the settlement of the price, the bar code-read product is placed on a transport conveyor, transported to a metal detector, and inspected for metal contamination.

[0004] In convenience stores and the like, a handy type bar code scanner is often used, and a handy type metal detector which emphasizes portability has been proposed as a metal detector (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 7-1995). No. 16188).

[0005]

In a store such as a supermarket where food is handled by the checkout counter, cleaning of the checkout counter is indispensable. In particular, a portion where a product such as food approaches or comes into contact, for example, a counter table and devices in the vicinity thereof, must be kept clean at all times so that bacteria and the like do not propagate. Furthermore, since the place near the counter stand is visible to the purchaser, it is necessary to always maintain an aesthetic appearance. Therefore, the easiness of cleaning the checkout counter greatly affects the workability of the clerk, especially if the number of clerks is small.
It also affects the workability of the whole store.

However, in the checkout counter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-97681, the purpose of checking for the presence of metal contamination immediately before the purchase of a product can be achieved, but the metal detector in the form of a tunnel protrudes from the top of the counter base. Therefore, its cleaning property is poor, and its use in food stores is not considered much.

[0007] When the settlement is busy, a large number of purchasers wait for the checkout counter. In such a state, the clerk pays attention to the settlement processing, that is, to quickly move the goods, in order to quickly complete the settlement processing, and the attention of the surroundings is distracted. For this reason, a hand or the like hits the device near the counter table, and the device is damaged. Therefore, it is dangerous if there are protrusions near the upper surface of the counter table and the side surface of the clerk. Further, it is dangerous even if the counter top surface or the surface facing the clerk has irregularities. Also in this regard, the checkout counter is dangerous because the tunnel-shaped metal detector protrudes from the upper surface of the counter base.

Furthermore, a metal detector in the form of a tunnel usually has a high possibility of malfunction due to disturbance near the opening.
For example, if the user approaches his hand near the opening of the metal detector while holding a metal wristwatch or ring, the metal detector malfunctions. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a certain distance from the opening of the tunnel-shaped metal detector to the moving object (excluding the inspected object), and the space near the opening of the metal detector of the checkout counter is required. Cannot work, and the workability is poor. In addition, the space for installing the checkout counter needs to be large for the above-mentioned reason.

[0009] In a store with a small store area such as a convenience store that has been increasing in recent years, securing a product display space is a matter of life and death.

In addition, even when a handy type barcode scanner is used, it is necessary to clean the scanner unit only because the barcode scanner is not fixed to the product. Also, by using a hand-held metal detector described in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 7-16188, the problem of securing a working space and eliminating the installation space is solved.
Since the metal contamination inspection cannot be performed simultaneously with the reading of the barcode, the workability is poor. Accordingly, the present invention provides a bar with a metal detecting device that can inspect the presence or absence of metal contamination immediately before it reaches the hands of the purchaser, realizes improved workability on the counter and easiness of cleaning, and further reduces the installation space. It is intended to provide a code scanner.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code scanner with a metal detecting device for reading a bar code attached to a product, and a bar code scanner for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product. A bar code scanner with a metal detection device having a metal detection unit that detects a change, and wherein the bar code scanner and the metal detection unit are of a flat type, a metal detection surface of the metal detection unit, and a bar code scanner of the bar code scanner. The metal detecting means and the scanner are arranged so that the scanner surface is substantially in the same plane. Therefore, there is no protrusion in the working space, and danger can be avoided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code scanner with a metal detecting device according to the first aspect, further comprising a counter table on which a product is placed. The scanner surface is disposed so as to be substantially in the same plane as the upper surface of the counter table. For this reason, there are no protrusions on the upper portion including the counter surface of the counter base, the work space is widened, and the cleaning performance is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code scanner with a metal detecting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the bar code scanner includes a column standing above an installation surface and the metal detecting surface. And the scanner surface are disposed substantially in the same plane as the side surface of the column. For this reason, the metal detection surface and the scanner surface become substantially perpendicular to the installation surface, dust and the like fall down due to gravity, and the contamination on each surface can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code scanner for reading a bar code attached to a product, and a metal detection for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product by a change in magnetic flux. Means, the bar code scanner with a metal detection device, comprising: a counter table on which a product is placed; a column standing upright on a side surface of the counter table and above an upper surface of the counter table; The metal detection means is a flat type, one of a metal detection surface of the metal detection means and a scanner surface of the barcode scanner is disposed on the upper surface of the counter base so as to be substantially in the same plane, and the other is the other It is disposed so as to be substantially in the same plane as the side surface of the column. For this reason, the metal detection means and the barcode scanner can be freely installed according to the work demand.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar code scanner with a metal detecting device for reading a bar code attached to a product, and a metal detection for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product by a change in magnetic flux. Wherein the bar code scanner and the metal detection means are of a flat type, and the metal detection surface of the metal detection means and the scanner surface of the bar code scanner are substantially the same. The device is characterized in that a metal detecting means and a scanner are provided so as to be in the plane, and it is portable. For this reason, the degree of freedom of the working place is dramatically improved.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a checkout counter including a barcode scanner with a metal detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout counter comprises a counter table 2 on which a purchased product or a basket containing the purchased product is placed, and a bar code scanner 1 with a metal detection device substantially at the center of the counter table 2. , And a cash register 3 (FIG. 3) disposed near the end of the counter base 2. A clerk stands on the side of the counter base 2 and checks a product to be purchased by a customer with the barcode scanner 1 with a metal detector, and a cash register that operates in conjunction with the barcode scanner 1 with the metal detector. In step 3, the purchase price of the product is charged and settled. Note that the cash register 3 also works with the POS system 4 provided in the store shown in FIG.

The bar code scanner 1 with a metal detector is
A substantially cubic column 13 erected on the side opposite to the side where the clerk stands on the counter table 2, and a bar code provided inside the column 13 and reading a bar code having a scanner surface opened to the counter table 2 side. It comprises a scanner 11 and a metal detector 12 which is provided inside the counter base 2 and has a metal detection surface opened at the upper surface of the counter for inspecting the product for metal contamination.

The bar code scanner 11 is a vertical fixed type bar code scanner. The scanner surface is covered with a plate material such as glass that transmits light, and a laser beam transmitting device provided inside the bar code scanner 11 is used. The bar code of the product is read by automatic scanning of the emitted laser beam. The scanner surface is attached with screws or the like so as to be substantially flush with the side surface of the column 13. Further, even when the product comes into contact with the product side on the scanner surface, the product side on the scanner surface is smooth so that it is easy to clean with less friction. The configuration of the metal detector 12 is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the metal detector 12.
FIG. 2B is a sectional view thereof. In these figures,
The upper plate 121 of the metal detector 12 has rigidity so that it can be weighted by placing a product on it, and
The upper surface is smooth so that even if it comes into contact with the upper surface, the surface is easy to clean with little friction. Further, the upper plate 121 is formed of a synthetic resin such as a plastic that transmits the lines of magnetic force. The upper plate 121 is supported on the upper surface of the counter table 2 by screws. Head frame 122
Is made of aluminum for the purpose of preventing the transmission of lines of magnetic force to the lower surface side. The transmission coil 123 is wound around the outermost periphery in the head frame 122, and the reception coils (magnetic sensors) 124 and 125 are
Are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the counter table 2 inside the
They have the same caliber. The magnetic flux generated from the transmitting coil 123 is linked to the two receiving coils 124 and 125 by substantially equal amounts. The coil frames 126, 127 and 128 are frames of the transmission coil 123 and the two reception coils 124 and 125.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a checkout counter including a barcode scanner with a metal detector and a POS system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 are connected to the cash register 3 by communication means (not shown). First, the barcode information read by the barcode scanner 11 is transmitted to the cash register 3 via the communication unit.
Sent to. The metal detector 12 transmits a metal mixing signal of the product to the cash register 3 via the metal mixing signal communication means 133 (FIG. 4).

The cash register 3 includes a CP (not shown).
U and a control unit including a memory, etc., in the memory, product information such as a product code, a product name, a bar code, a selling price is stored for each product code, and a product master storing a plurality of product information; There is a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores the selling price of the target product.

The cash register 3 reads the selling price of the clearing target product from the product master based on the transmitted bar code information, and stores the selling price in the temporary storage unit as a clearing total target. Further, upon receiving the transmitted metal-mixed signal of the product, if the selling price of the product corresponding to the metal mixing is stored, the selling price stored in the temporary storage unit is deleted, and the selling price is stored before the storing. If so, the selling price of the corresponding product is not read and the selling price is not stored.
Alternatively, a clerk is urged to use a warning means (not shown) such as a warning or a warning display. Thereafter, when the clerk receives an instruction to complete the settlement using an input means such as a ten-key (not shown), the selling price stored in the temporary storage unit is totaled by the CPU, and the total amount is displayed on a display (not shown), and the receipt is displayed. Print and issue.

The cash register 3 is also connected to the POS system 4 and transmits sales information such as a product code, a selling price, and a sales date and time sold by the cash register 3 to the POS system 4. POS system 4
Is stored in a storage unit (not shown) when the sales information is received, and is used for data for sales promotion, inventory management, and the like.

A plurality of cash registers are connected to the POS system 4, and sales information transmitted from each cash register is sequentially stored.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the metal detector 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The excitation circuit 130
The transmission coil 123 of the metal detector 12 is excited with an alternating current (or a direct current) of a predetermined frequency, the balance volume 131 outputs a differential component between the two reception coils 124 and 125, and the metal determination unit 132 The differential component is detected, and the presence or absence of a mixed metal is determined based on the detected output. The metal mixing signal communication unit 133 transmits a metal mixing signal corresponding to the metal determination result to the cash register 3, and the parameter setting unit 134 sets the excitation circuit 130,
Various parameters for the metal determination means 132 (a reference amount for metal detection, an excitation frequency, and the like) are set by the switch key 14.
Is set by the operation of.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since no metal detector of the tunnel type is used, there is no protrusion on the counter base 2, and it is easy to secure a work space and the workability is improved. I do. Moreover, since there is no unevenness on the surface where the product approaches or approaches, the cleaning property is also improved. Further, since there is no need to provide a space near the opening in the tunnel-type metal detector, the installation space can be reduced.

"Second Embodiment" Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the barcode scanner with a metal detection device of the first embodiment is configured to be portable and compact, but is functionally the same as the first embodiment. Only differ,
Only the structure will be described.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a bar code scanner with a portable metal detection device according to the second embodiment. The portable barcode scanner with a metal detector comprises a housing, a barcode scanner 11 for reading barcodes of commodities, and a metal detector 12 for inspecting metal contamination of commodities.

First, the housing is a cylindrical body having a substantially L-shaped side surface and a substantially T-shaped flat surface. In addition, the corners of the housing are chamfered, and the surface is smooth so that it can be held by hand and easily cleaned. And, the above-mentioned T
The portion corresponding to the vertical portion in the shape of a letter is a handle for holding a hand-held barcode scanner with a metal detection device. Also,
A substantially rectangular plane is formed at a portion corresponding to the substantially T-shaped vertical portion and at a portion corresponding to the substantially L-shaped bottom end. And the plane is divided into two horizontally long inside the housing,
One of them is provided with a scanner surface of the barcode scanner 11, and the other is provided with a metal detection surface of the metal detector 12. Further, the scanner surface and the metal detection surface are arranged so as to be substantially flush with each other.

The barcode scanner 11 is a barcode scanner using a horizontally long laser beam. Since the barcode scanner 11 is portable, its overall size is small and it can be held by hand. Also, since the metal detector 12 is also portable, its overall size is small and it can be held by hand.

Then, bar code information is transmitted from the bar code scanner 11 from the center of the handle end.
From the metal detector 12, a communication line for transmitting a metal contamination signal of a product to the cash register 3 is connected.
The other end is connected to the cash register 3. As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since it is portable, it is easier to secure a work space, and workability is improved. Since the entire casing is small and the surface is smooth, the cleaning property is also improved. Further, since the entire housing is small, the installation space can be reduced.

[Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiment, the current is passed through the transmission coil 123 as the magnetic flux generating means constituting the metal detector 12, but a permanent magnet may be used. Alternatively, the structure may be as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A includes a transmitting magnet 123A corresponding to the transmitting coil 123 and receiving coils 124A and 125A corresponding to the receiving coils 124 and 125 in the embodiment. The transmitting magnet 123A is a substantially cubic permanent magnet, and the left end of the figure has an N pole,
The right end is the south pole. The receiving coil 124A is disposed on the N pole side of the transmitting magnet 123A and the axis of the coil is perpendicular to the long axis of the transmitting magnet 123A. Further, a ferromagnetic body 124A 'also serving as an iron core is provided in the coil cavity of the receiving coil 124A. Similarly, a receiving coil 125A and a ferromagnetic body 125A 'are provided on the S pole. A part of the magnetic flux emitted from the transmitting magnet 123A is
A static magnetic field is formed through 24A 'and 125A'. When a product is moved in the static magnetic field and a sewing needle is present in the product, a magnetic flux is collected on the sewing needle, causing a change in the magnetic field, and a magnetic flux passing through the ferromagnetic bodies 124A 'and 125A' is changed. This change in magnetic flux is detected as a change in voltage between the terminals of the receiving coils 124A and 125A. Subsequent detection signal processing is the same as that of the embodiment, and thus will not be described. FIG. 6B shows a transmission magnet 123 corresponding to the transmission coil 123 in the embodiment.
B and a receiving coil 124B corresponding to the receiving coil 124. The transmitting magnet 123B is a substantially cubic permanent magnet. The upper end of the figure is an N pole, and the lower end is an S pole. The receiving coil 124B is arranged on the N pole side of the transmitting magnet 123B and the axis of the coil is perpendicular to the long axis of the transmitting magnet 123B. Also, when the metal piece crosses the magnetic flux generated by the transmitting magnet 123B, a current flows through the receiving coil 124B,
It can be taken out as a corresponding voltage. The voltage is applied to the amplifier and amplified, and the amplified output voltage is output to the comparator. The comparator compares the amplified output voltage with a set voltage. When the amplified output voltage is higher than the set voltage, the comparator outputs as a metal-mixed signal, and when the amplified output voltage is lower than the set voltage, it does not output. Subsequent detection signal processing is the same as that of the embodiment, and thus will not be described.

(B) In the above embodiment, the receiving coil 12
Hall elements or the like may be used in place of 4, 125.

(C) The transmitting coil 123 and the receiving coils 124 and 125 may be patterned on a printed board.

(D) In the above embodiment, the transmission coil 123
The two receiving coils 12 are substantially uniformly affected by the magnetic flux generated from the two and have substantially the same shape along the article transport direction.
Although the transmission coils 123 are arranged on the same plane as the transmission coil 123, the transmission coils and the reception coil may be arranged so as to face each other with a slight separation.

(E) In the above embodiment, two reception coils are arranged on the metal detection surface, but three or more transmission coils 123 may be arranged in a matrix on the metal detection surface. In this case, the position of the mixed metal in the article can be known more accurately, and the tendency of the mixed metal can be grasped.

(F) In the above embodiment, the transmission coil 123
Although the receiving coils 124 and 125 are arranged inside, the detecting means used in FIG. 6B may be used only for the receiving coil 124. In this case, since the opening is formed substantially at the center of the metal detection surface, the barcode scanner 11 can be arranged in the opening so that the metal detection surface and the scanner surface are substantially flush with each other. In this case, the installation space can be further reduced.

(G) In the above-described embodiment, the barcode scanner 11 is provided on the support 13 and the metal detector 12 is provided on the counter table 2. However, FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C. May be provided as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7 (A), the installation locations of the barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 are provided only on the upper surface of the counter base 2. For example, 7A1, 7A
2, 7A3 and 7A4 are arranged on the counter table 2 in a matrix. The barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 may be arranged at these two arbitrary positions. FIG. 7 (B)
In this example, the installation locations of the barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 are provided only on the side surfaces of the columns 13. For example,
7B1, 7B2, 7A3, 7A4 are arranged on the support 13 in a matrix. The barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 may be arranged at these two arbitrary positions. In FIG. 7C, the bar code scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 are provided on the upper surface of the counter base 2 and the side surface of the support 13 in the same manner. The installation location 7C3 is the other 7C1 and 7C2
Is different from the relative relationship. For example, in 7C1 and 7C3, 7
It has a predetermined angle with respect to the short side of the counter table 2 as compared with C1 and 7C2. The barcode scanner 11 and the metal detector 12 are respectively provided on the arbitrary set of the aforementioned 7C1 and 7C2, 7C1 and 7C3.
Should be arranged. However, arranging the barcode scanner 11 on 7C1 and arranging the metal detector 12 on 7C2 is the same as in the embodiment, and therefore will be omitted. By using an apparatus having a flat metal detection surface and a flat scanner surface, the degree of freedom in installation can be greatly increased.

(H) In the second embodiment, use in a checkout counter has been described. However, if it is separately linked to a handy terminal or the like, it can be applied to inventory management work in a product display place or a warehouse.

(I) In the second embodiment, the case where the substantially rectangular plane is horizontally divided into two parts inside the casing has been described. The scanner surface of the barcode scanner 11 may be provided on one side, and the metal detection surface of the metal detector 12 may be provided on the other side.

[0042]

According to the bar code scanner with a metal detecting device of the present invention, it is possible to check for metal contamination immediately before the product reaches the purchaser's hand, and there is no protrusion in the work space. The work space above has been expanded, improving workability and safety. Further, since the scanner surface and the metal detection surface are made flat, the cleaning property is improved. In addition, the installation space was reduced because the tunnel-type metal detector was removed.
Further, since the metal detection device and the barcode scanner are made portable, the barcode scanner with the metal detection device can be used even in a convenience store having a small shop area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a checkout counter including a barcode scanner with a metal detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view of the metal detector.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a checkout counter including a barcode scanner with a metal detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram of the metal detector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a barcode scanner with a metal detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment used for a metal detector.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment used for the barcode scanner with the metal detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Barcode Scanner with Metal Detector 11 Barcode Scanner 12 Metal Detector

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A bar code scanner with a metal detecting device, comprising: a bar code scanner for reading a bar code attached to a product; and metal detecting means for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product by a change in magnetic flux. In the above, the bar code scanner and the metal detecting means are of a flat type, and the metal detecting means and the scanner are arranged such that a metal detecting surface of the metal detecting means and a scanner surface of the bar code scanner are substantially in the same plane. A barcode scanner with a metal detection device, which is provided. 2. The barcode scanner with a metal detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a counter table on which a product is placed, wherein the metal detection surface and the scanner surface are substantially the same as an upper surface of the counter table. A barcode scanner with a metal detection device, which is provided so as to be in the plane. 3. The barcode scanner with a metal detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a support standing upright from an installation surface, wherein the metal detection surface and the scanner surface are substantially equal to a side surface of the support. A barcode scanner with a metal detection device, wherein the barcode scanner is disposed so as to be in the same plane. 4. A bar code scanner with a metal detecting device, comprising: a bar code scanner for reading a bar code attached to a product; and metal detecting means for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product by a change in magnetic flux. In the above, a counter table on which a product is placed, a column standing on the side surface of the counter table and above the upper surface of the counter table, the barcode scanner and the metal detection means are flat type, and the metal detection One of the metal detection surface of the means and the scanner surface of the barcode scanner is disposed on the upper surface of the counter table so as to be substantially in the same plane, and the other is substantially in the same plane as the side surface of the column. A barcode scanner with a metal detection device, which is provided. 5. A bar code scanner with a metal detecting device, comprising: a bar code scanner for reading a bar code attached to a product; and metal detecting means for detecting whether or not metal is mixed in the product by a change in magnetic flux. In the above, the bar code scanner and the metal detection unit are of a flat type, and the metal detection unit and the scanner are such that the metal detection surface of the metal detection unit and the scanner surface of the bar code scanner are substantially in the same plane. A barcode scanner with a portable metal detection device, which is provided.