JP6088696B1 - Payment device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a settlement apparatus capable of easily performing an operation of putting coins into a coin slot for a coin changer after arranging the coins. A settlement apparatus includes a coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus that deposits / withdraws coins in accordance with a settlement process, a casing that houses the coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus, and a housing that is provided in the casing, with respect to the coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus. Forming a concave shape including a coin insertion slot for inserting coins and a coin placement surface connected to the coin insertion slot in the apparatus width direction for temporarily placing the coins for the settlement process. A money placement unit that slides on the placement surface and allows coins to be inserted into the coin slot. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a payment apparatus.

  An POS (Point Of Sales) terminal or the like conventionally used in a supermarket or the like is provided with an area for temporarily placing and checking the money deposited from a customer before putting it in a drawer. Such an area is called a examination table or check table. By providing such an area, the store clerk can avoid trouble at the time of money transfer and can perform a quick and accurate cash register operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in supermarkets and the like, self-checkout devices (self-checkout) that allow customers to make payments independently of shop assistants are used. In the self-checkout, a coin slot that allows a plurality of coins to be received at a time is provided so that a customer can complete the coin loading operation at a time.

  By the way, among the customers who use the self-checkout as described above, after confirming the coins in the wallet once in a flat area on the self-checkout at the time of settlement, the desired coins are put into the coin slot. There are customers.

  In the case of such usage, the customer needs to put coins in a flat area on the self-checkout, and then pick up the desired coins and put them into the coin slot.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a settlement apparatus that can easily perform the work of putting coins into a coin slot after arranging them.

The payment apparatus according to the embodiment is a payment apparatus used for a payment process by a customer, and displays a case with a deposit / withdrawal unit that stores and stores coins and displays a total payment amount for the customer. A display unit to be provided, a coin insertion port provided in the housing and capable of receiving coins collectively, a money placement surface provided in the housing for temporarily placing coins, and money placing part the monetary mounting surface to have a shape elongated in the width direction across the center in the width direction of the housing as well as connected in the width direction of the housing and the coin slot, the coin and a payment means for processing accept been charged in the inlet coins, the coin slot is provided with a hole which coins pass, an inclined surface descending from four directions toward the hole, the hole Slides the coin placed on the money placement surface toward the coin slot. That have a longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the direction, the width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hole is enough to pass overlap a plurality of coins.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a self-checkout device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance in a state where the door of the payment terminal is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the self-checkout device as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an appearance near the coin slot. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout apparatus. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the payment processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a settlement apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a payment terminal of a self-checkout device for a customer to perform product registration and payment is applied as a payment device.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a self-checkout device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the self-checkout device 100 includes a settlement terminal 1, a basket storage shelf 2, and a bagging shelf 3. The settlement terminal 1 includes a deposit / withdrawal unit 4, a reading unit 5, a display operation unit 6, and a control unit 7 (see FIG. 5) that controls each unit.

  The payment terminal 1 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12. The first housing 11 includes a door 111 that can be opened and closed. The door 111 rotates up and down around the hinge portion 111a. The 1st housing | casing 11 accommodates the banknote change machine (banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus) 41 and coin change machine (coin depositing / withdrawing apparatus) 42 (all refer FIG. 2) which comprises the deposit or withdrawal part 4 inside. . The 2nd housing | casing 12 has accommodated the control part 7 inside.

  The reading unit 5 includes a scanner 50 that reads the appearance of a product and a code (such as a barcode) attached to the product in order to specify the product. In addition, the reading unit 5 includes a printer 51 that prints a receipt related to merchandise sales data processing executed by the control unit 7. The printer 51 projects a receipt discharge stand 51 a that supports the discharged receipt from the first housing 11. That is, the receipt discharge stand 51 a is a convex convex portion provided to protrude from the first housing 11. Furthermore, the reading unit 5 includes a card reader 52 that reads a credit card related to a settlement process executed by the control unit 7.

  The display operation unit 6 includes a monitor 61 and a touch panel 62. The monitor 61 displays an image according to the control of the control unit 7. The touch panel 62 is provided on the surface of the monitor 61 and outputs information based on the position touched by the operator to the control unit 7.

  The basket storage shelf 2 is a storage table used as a storage place for the basket when the product in the basket is taken out and held over the reading unit 5. The basket shelf 2 is provided on one side of the payment terminal 1.

  The bagging shelf 3 is a table for packing products after scanning. The bagging shelf 3 is provided on the other side of the settlement terminal 1 (opposite side of the storage rack 2).

  Here, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the settlement terminal 1 in a state where the door 111 is opened. As shown in FIG. 3, the 1st housing | casing 11 opens the inside of the 1st housing | casing 11 by rotating the door 111 upwards, and the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 are exposed. The banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 are stacked and stored in the first housing 11, and the banknote change machine 41 is located under the coin change machine 42.

  The bill change machine 41 discriminates the correctness of the taken banknote, stores the correct coin, and withdraws the bill as change. The coin change machine 42 determines whether or not the taken coins are correct and stores them, and dispenses coins as change. The bill change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 inform the control unit 7 of the amount of money stored. Further, the banknote change machine 41 and the coin change machine 42 receive notification from the control unit 7 of the amount to be withdrawn as change.

  The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each unit (the deposit / withdrawal unit 4, the reading unit 5, and the display operation unit 6) included in the settlement terminal 1. The control unit 7 acquires code information from the reading unit 5. In addition, the control unit 7 outputs information to be displayed on the monitor 61 of the display operation unit 6, and acquires information on an operation performed by the operator from the touch panel 62. Further, the control unit 7 grasps the deposit to the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 and instructs the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 to withdraw.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the self-checkout device 100 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 11 is provided with a coin insertion slot (coin insertion slot) 421 for depositing into the coin change machine 42 on one end of the upper surface.

  Further, the first housing 11 (the deposit / withdrawal unit 4) has a coin discharge tray 422 and a reject from the back side where the money placing unit 70 (see FIG. 4) and the coin insertion slot 421 are provided to the front side. A plate 423, a bill insertion slot 411, and a bill discharge slot 412 are provided stepwise in order. That is, the surface on which the coin insertion slot 421 is provided is the upper stage, the middle stage in which the surface on which the coin discharge tray 422 and the reject tray 423 are provided is positioned below the upper stage, the banknote insertion slot 411 and the banknote ejection slot 412 are provided. The lower surface is located below the middle stage. Further, the coin discharge tray 422 located in the middle stage is located on the front side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 from the money placement unit 70 and the coin insertion slot 421 located in the upper stage. Moreover, the banknote insertion slot 411 and the banknote discharge slot 412 located in the lower stage are located on the front side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 from the coin ejection tray 422 located in the middle stage. In this way, by arranging various input ports and discharge ports (discharge trays) stepwise, it is possible to overlook all the input ports and discharge ports (discharge trays) from the back to the front. .

  The coin discharge tray 422 is a tray that receives coins discharged from the coin change machine 42. The reject tray 423 is a tray that receives coins (reject coins) that should not be accommodated in the coin change machine 42 such as deformed coins, foreign coins, and fake coins. The positional relationship among the coin insertion slot 421, the coin discharge tray 422, and the reject tray 423 depends on the structure of the coin change machine 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the coin discharge tray 422 is provided at the end opposite to the width direction end of the settlement terminal 1 provided with the coin insertion slot 421. As described above, since the coin insertion slot 421 and the coin discharge tray 422 are provided so as to be shifted in the height direction, the width direction, and the depth direction, the visibility and operability with respect to the coin discharge tray 422 are good. ing. The reject tray 423 is provided side by side with the coin discharge tray 422 at a position below the coin insertion slot 421.

  The bill insertion slot 411 is a bill insertion slot for depositing into the bill change machine 41. The banknote outlet 412 is a banknote outlet that is discharged from the banknote change machine 41. The positional relationship between the bill insertion slot 411 and the bill ejection slot 412 depends on the structure of the bill change machine 41.

  In addition, LEDs 43 to 46 for notifying operation procedures and errors are provided in the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 421, the coin discharge tray 422, the reject tray 423, the banknote insertion slot 411, and the banknote discharge slot 412, respectively. Yes. In addition, the place in which LED43-46 is provided will not be specifically limited if it is the vicinity of each part. Further, the number and arrangement of the LEDs 43 to 46 are not particularly limited.

  Next, the structure near the coin slot 421 and the coin slot 421 will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 421. As shown in FIG. 4, the coin slot 421 has a funnel-shaped inclined surface 421a that descends from the outside to the inside, and a hole 421b provided at the lowermost portion of the inclined surface 421a. The hole 421b is a vertically long hole as viewed from the customer standing in front of the payment terminal 1. That is, the longitudinal direction of the hole 421b is a direction intersecting with a direction in which a coin is slid toward the coin slot. The dimension in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hole 421b (that is, the direction in which the coin slides toward the coin slot) is such that a plurality of coins can overlap and pass, and the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the hole 421b. Shorter. With such a configuration, the coin insertion slot 421 can receive a plurality of coins at once.

  In addition, the door 111 of the first housing 11 includes a money placement unit 70 that is connected to the coin insertion slot 421 at a position aligned in the width direction of the payment terminal 1. The money placement unit 70 is generally called a examination table or a check table. The money placement unit 70 is located across from the center of the first housing 11 to both sides in the width direction of the first housing 11. The money placement unit 70 is for a customer to take out money from the wallet and arrange the money to be used for payment visually during the payment process of the payment terminal 1.

  More specifically, the money placement unit 70 includes a planar money placement surface 71 on which money (coins, banknotes) is placed, and a guide wall 72. The money placement surface 71 is not limited to a planar shape, and may be curved in a concave shape. A sheet 71 a made of plastic or metal is attached to the money placement surface 71. In order to prevent the money placement unit 70 from being stained or damaged by the placed money, the sheet 71a is used to hide the connection portion between the money placement unit 70 and the coin slot 421. It is provided for displaying the explanation of the usage mode.

  The guide wall 72 is provided on the edge of the money placement surface 71 excluding the side connected to the coin slot 421. The guide wall 72 protrudes upward from the money placement surface 71 and supports the side portion of money (particularly, coins) placed on the money placement surface 71. Such a guide wall 72 is formed as a part of the first housing 11.

  On the other hand, the coin insertion slot 421 has a planar connecting portion 421c that is continuous with the inclined surface 421a at a position where it is connected to the money placement surface 71. Needless to say, when the money mounting surface 71 is curved in a concave shape, the connecting portion 421c is molded in accordance with the shape.

  As described above, the money placement unit 70 formed in a concave shape on the door 111 of the first housing 11 is configured so that the printer 51 is in a state where the door 111 is rotated upward to open the inside of the first housing 11. It is provided at a position that interferes with the receipt discharge table 51a. And the depth of the concave-shaped part of the money mounting part 70 is set to the depth which can avoid the collision with the receipt discharge stand 51a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the vicinity of the money placement unit 70 of the first housing 11 is set back in order to make the coin discharge tray 422 easily visible to a camera (not shown) and a customer. . That is, in FIG. 4, the first housing 11 includes a front surface 11 e on the near side of the money placement unit 70 along the width direction of the first housing 11. The length of the front surface 11e in the width direction of the first housing 11 is substantially equal to the length of the money placement unit 70 in the width direction of the first housing 11. Further, the first housing 11 includes a front surface 11 f on the near side of the coin insertion slot 421 along the width direction of the first housing 11. And the front surface 11e becomes a structure located in the depth direction back side of the 1st housing | casing 11 from the front surface 11f. Further, the edge 422a on the near side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 of the coin discharge tray 422 is located on the near side in the depth direction of the first housing 11 from the front surface 11e.

  Furthermore, LED47 (refer FIG. 5) which is an irradiation part which irradiates light by light emission is provided in the lower part of the money mounting part 70 in the 1st housing | casing 11, and above the coin discharge tray 422. FIG.

  Further, the payment terminal 1 includes a sensor 73 (see FIG. 5) that is a detection unit that detects an object (such as a wallet or a coin) placed on or around the money placement surface 71. I have. Examples of the sensor 73 include an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and an image sensor. The optical sensor is, for example, arranged so that the optical axis of the optical sensor crawls the money placement surface 71, and when the optical axis is blocked, it is determined that there is an object on the money placement surface 71. For example, the magnetic sensor is disposed at a position corresponding to the back side of the money placement surface 71 and determines that there is an object on the money placement surface 71 when a metal is detected. For example, the image sensor is arranged above the money placement surface 71 and determines that there is an object on the money placement surface 71 by image recognition.

  With such a configuration, the money placing unit 70 enables coins to be inserted into the connected coin insertion ports 421. Specifically, the customer takes out money (coins, banknotes) used for payment from the wallet and confirms them on the money placement surface 71 of the money placement unit 70 during the payment process of the payment terminal 1. Next, the customer carries the arranged coins by sliding on the money placement surface 71 toward the coin insertion slot 421 and dropping the coins onto the coin insertion slot 421 to make payment. At this time, the guide wall 72 of the money placement unit 70 supports the side portion of the coin to prevent the coin from falling from the money placement surface 71.

  Subsequently, the hardware configuration of the self-checkout apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the self-checkout apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the payment terminal 1 includes a control unit 7, an I / O device control unit 81, and a communication I / F 82. The communication I / F (interface) 82 connects its own device to the bagging shelf 3 so as to be communicable. The I / O device control unit 81 connects the bill change machine 41, the coin change machine 42, the LEDs 43-47, the scanner 50, the printer 51, the card reader 52, the monitor 61, the touch panel 62, and the sensor 73 to the control unit 7.

  On the other hand, the bagging shelf 3 further includes an I / O device control unit 31, a communication I / F 32, and a measuring instrument 33. The measuring device 33 weighs the articles placed on the bagging shelf 3. The communication I / F (interface) 32 connects its own device to the settlement terminal 1 so as to be communicable. That is, the I / O device control unit 31 connects the measuring instrument 33 to the control unit 7 via the communication I / Fs 32 and 82. The measuring device 33 measures the weight of the article on the bagging shelf 3 for the purpose of preventing fraud.

  The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores various computer programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and computer programs when the CPU executes the computer programs. The control unit 7 comprehensively controls each unit by developing and executing a computer program read from the ROM by the CPU on the RAM.

  The computer program executed by the self-checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). And the like recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  In addition, the computer program executed by the self-checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the computer program executed by the self-checkout apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the computer program executed by the self-checkout apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  Next, among various processes executed by the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 of the self-checkout apparatus 100, a payment process that is a characteristic function of the present embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the payment processing, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the payment processing.

  In the payment process, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 implements the irradiation unit 91 and the notification unit 92 as functional units as shown in FIG. 6 by following the computer program.

  The irradiation means 91 emits light by causing the LED 47 to emit light according to the timing of withdrawal of the coin change machine 42.

  When the means for detecting 92 detects an object (such as a wallet or a coin) placed on the money placement surface 71 or around the money placement surface 71 by the sensor 73 at the stage when payment is finished, the notification means 92 notifies the fact. To do.

  The settlement process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 executes a product registration process (step S1).

  Here, the product registration process will be described. When the customer holds the image on which the product code is encoded over the scanner 50, the scanner 50 reads the code and outputs the product code. When the scanner 50 outputs the product code, the control unit 7 refers to, for example, a PLU (Price Look Up) file stored in the storage unit of the own device or an external device connected online. The PLU file is a record of product names, prices, etc. in association with product codes, for example, in the form of a table.

  Next, the control unit 7 obtains information associated with the product code read by the scanner 50 among the information recorded in the PLU file. These pieces of information are recorded as product information, and the product price is added to the purchase price. Thereby, merchandise registration is performed.

  Next, when the customer completes product registration and bagging (Yes in step S2), the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 performs a payment process (step S3). If the customer has not completed the product registration process (No in step S2), the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 returns to the product registration process (step S1).

  Here, the settlement process will be described. When the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 receives an operation for proceeding to the payment from the customer, the control unit 7 displays a price obtained by totaling the prices of the registered products on the monitor 61. Accordingly, the control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 starts accepting a payment operation by the customer.

  In cash settlement, the control unit 7 calculates a difference (change) from the price when there is payment to the bill insertion slot 411 of the bill change machine 41 and the coin insertion slot 421 of the coin change machine 42. When there is a change, the control unit 7 withdraws change from the banknote discharge port 412 of the banknote change machine 41 and the coin discharge tray 422 of the coin change machine 42.

  Here, the control part 7 (irradiation means 91) of the payment terminal 1 performs irradiation of LED47 according to the timing of the payment to the coin discharge tray 422 of the coin change machine 42 (step S4). Thus, by performing irradiation of LED47 according to the timing of withdrawal of the coin change machine 42, it is possible to prevent the customer from forgetting the coins discharged to the coin discharge tray 422.

  In addition, the control unit 7 (notification unit 92) of the settlement terminal 1 is an object (such as a wallet or a coin) placed on the money placement surface 71 or in the vicinity of the money placement surface 71 at the stage where the customer has paid. ) Is detected (Yes in step S5), the fact is notified (step S6). The notification method includes voice, screen display, and outputting a signal to an attendant terminal (not shown). Thereby, it is possible to prevent a customer from leaving a wallet or a coin on the money placement surface 71 or around the money placement surface 71. When the control unit 7 (notification unit 92) of the settlement terminal 1 does not detect an object (such as a wallet or a coin) (No in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7 as it is.

  The control unit 7 of the payment terminal 1 ends one transaction upon completion of payment (Yes in Step S7), and moves to a state of waiting for the start of the next transaction (Step S1).

  Thus, according to the settlement apparatus of the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the customer to pick up and move the coin on the money placement surface 71 of the money placement unit 70, and to move the coin on the money placement surface 71. The customer can easily perform the operation of entering the coin insertion slot 421 with respect to the coin change machine 42.

  Although the present embodiment has described an example in which the payment terminal 1 of the self-checkout device 100 is used as the payment device for the customer to register and pay for the product, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as a payment device, an accounting machine installed in a semi-self checkout lane and used for payment processing by a customer after product registration by a store clerk may be applied.

  In addition, as a payment device, a ticket vending machine (ticketing machine) that issues a restaurant ticket, a payment machine such as a parking lot or a station, a vending machine, and the like can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the money placement unit 70 is connected to the left side of the coin insertion slot 421, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the coin insertion slot 421 is arranged on the left side, the money placement unit 70 may be connected to the right side of the coin insertion slot 421.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Payment apparatus 11 Housing | casing 41 Banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus 42 Coin depositing / withdrawing apparatus 47 Irradiation part 51a Convex part 70 Money mounting part 71 Money mounting surface 73 Detection part 91 Irradiation means 92 Notification means 111 Door 411 Bill insertion slot 412 Banknote discharge Exit 421 Coin slot 422 Coin discharge tray

JP2015-156138A

Claims (3)

A payment device used for payment processing by a customer,
A housing having a deposit / withdrawal unit for storing coins and for dispensing coins stored therein ;
A display that displays the total price of the payment for customers,
A coin slot provided in the housing and capable of receiving coins in a lump ;
The case has a money placement surface for temporarily placing coins, the money placement surface is connected to the coin insertion slot in the width direction of the case and and money placing part to have a shape elongated in the width direction across the center in the width direction,
Settlement means for accepting and processing coins inserted into the coin slot;
With
The coin slot is provided with a hole which coins pass, an inclined surface descending from four directions toward the hole,
The holes have a longitudinal direction placed on coins in the money placement surface in a direction intersecting the direction of sliding toward the coin slot, the width dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hole, It is the extent that multiple coins can overlap and pass ,
A settlement apparatus characterized by that. The money placement surface includes a display that suggests a usage mode of the money placement unit.
The settlement apparatus according to claim 1 . A detection unit for detecting an object placed on the money placement surface;
In the stage where payment is finished, when detecting an object placed on the money placement surface by the detection unit, a notification means for notifying that effect,
Settling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a.

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