EP0443419A2 - Device for determining pricing of articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for determining pricing of articles (12, 26), especially articles offered in self service sales outlets, has at least one video camera (14) which is directed at a presentation surface (11, 25) which supports the article temporarily, and at least one image memory, which is designed for storing digitised comparative total images of the articles (12, 26) and/or features of the articles (12, 26). The video camera (14) is assigned a digitiser which digitises the image of the articles received from the video camera (14). A comparator recognises the article (12, 26) situated on the presentation surface (11, 25) by comparing its digitised total image and/or by comparing features with the comparative images contained in the image memory, and supplies identification signals to an electronic system which determines the pricing. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for determining the selling price of goods, in particular goods offered in self-service sales outlets, which has the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The known devices of this type have readers for indicating the price on the map for such goods, the packaging of which is provided with a map on which the price is given, for example in a bar code. Such maps have the disadvantage that they usually have to be applied by the seller because of the prices to be set by the seller and if a price change it is necessary to overlap with a new map. For goods that have to be weighed for price determination, these known devices have scales with a keypad, the keys of which are each assigned to a commodity, this assignment for the user by means of a suitable identification, for example a number, a letter or a combination of letters, in many cases also indicated by an illustration of the goods. The user must Select and press the corresponding key for the goods placed on the load plate from the keypad. As a result of the software price per weight unit assigned to the key, the electronics are supplied with the identification signal. The electronics then determine the sales price, which is printed out on an adhesive label or the like. A disadvantage of these scales is not only that the labeling of the keys is subject to wear and tear, and therefore the identification of the labeling can be difficult with frequent actuation, provided the keys are not formed by fields on a screen. In the latter case, if an image of the assigned goods is displayed in the fields, an image memory can be provided from which the required images can be called up. However, this has the disadvantage that the correct image may first have to be sought, which leads to annoying waiting times. Regardless of whether keys are pressed or image fields have to be touched, the generally required, relatively large number of keys or fields makes it difficult to find the key to be pressed or the field to be touched, especially since the assignment of the goods to the individual keys is not fixed can be and therefore the usually frequently changing range of goods leads to the fact that one and the same product cannot always be assigned to the same key in the case of different combinations of the range of offers in time. Relatively long weighing times for a single weighing process, which can lead to the impatience of those waiting, and incorrect operation therefore significantly impair the inherent advantage of these self-service scales.

Furthermore, it is known for devices of the type mentioned at the outset for control purposes, namely when the operator at the checkout does not have the goods in view, to provide a video camera which is directed, for example, to the goods lying on a conveyor belt, and to display the image recorded by the video camera on a monitor which is in the field of vision of the operator at the cash register. It is therefore a pure monitoring device that does not identify the goods itself. An operator must do this, which inevitably leads to errors. In addition, the price cannot be determined simultaneously with the identification. Manipulations, for example by exchanging price labels, are not excluded.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for determining the sales price of goods, which neither requires a map containing the price on the packaging or goods required nor a selection of buttons or fields to be made by the customer to identify the goods. This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

Since the identification of each product, on the basis of which the price is determined, is carried out by an automatic comparison of the product image generated by the video camera with the product images of the identifiable goods contained in the image memory, the customer's activity is limited to placing the product on the presentation surface, to which the video camera is aimed. If the goods are not suitable for delivering the identification picture, you can add an identification sign or point it at the video camera so that it can recognize it. Such identification signs include, for example, stickers for the goods or their packaging or also signs which are placed on the presentation area in addition to the goods. These identification signs can For example, be contained in a storage container, which is located in the associated goods. Even if such identification signs are required in exceptional cases, the time during which the presentation area is occupied is minimal. The number of different goods influences the identification time insignificantly at most and essentially only affects the required size of the memory. The memory size therefore only needs to be selected according to the required number of different goods, which can be significantly larger than in the known self-service scales. For goods that require a weighing process for price determination, the presentation area is advantageously formed by the load plate of a scale with a weight sensor, the output signals of which indicate the weight of the goods. The goods can then be identified during the weighing process.

In a preferred embodiment, an output device, preferably in the form of a display device, is assigned to at least each presentation area that receives the goods for a first identification, which announces the identified goods visually and / or in writing and / or acoustically. The customer can then check whether the goods in question have been correctly identified. In order to be able to take this check by the customer into account, each of these output devices preferably has an input device, for example in the form of a key or voice input, which the customer actuates or addresses if the goods identification was correct. If the identification is incorrect, the customer can be asked via the output device to move the goods to a different position. However, an automatic change of position and / or the use of at least two video cameras capturing the image of the goods from different directions can also be used to improve the possibility of identification.

As a rule, it will be expedient to also assign the output device means for announcing the sales price of the goods and / or the sales price per unit of weight. The output device therefore preferably has a screen on which the information to be disclosed to the customer appears. In addition, audio output means can be provided, which deliver the information in acoustic form. Of course, the information could also be output only acoustically. A printout of the information is also possible.

The issue of a customer identification card to each customer, on which all relevant data is saved during each identification process, offers particular advantages. A reader and writer is therefore advantageously assigned to each presentation area for the transfer of at least the sales price to the customer identity card. By means of such customer identity cards, the recording of the goods and the determination of the total sales price at the checkout can be considerably accelerated, even if the data stored on the customer identity card is not used to determine the total price, but only for comparison with the other data recorded at the cash register can be used. This data acquisition at the cash register is preferably also carried out with the aid of a video camera, an image memory, a comparator and, if appropriate, a weight sensor.

If the reading and writing devices assigned to the individual presentation areas for the customer identity cards are connected to a central computer, all of this data can be temporarily stored there, so that they then only have to be called up from the central computer when the customer is at Cashier is coming. Furthermore, reading devices can be provided with an output device, which enable the customer to query information of interest to him at any time, in particular the total price of the goods selected so far.

For loading the image memory or the image memory, an internally or externally arranged reading device is preferably provided, by means of which the images from data carriers on which the digitized identification images of all different goods are stored can be read into the memory. The memory can then be loaded and updated in a particularly simple manner and above all without specialist knowledge. The data carriers can, for example, be conventional disks with magnetic or optical storage of the digital signals. An external arrangement of the reading device has the advantage over an internal arrangement that it can be used for several goods identification devices.

However, an operator can also have the identification images created by means of the video camera. In order to increase the security of identification, it is also expedient in this case to create several identification images of one and the same type of goods in order to take into account the variations in the appearance of the goods that usually occur.

In order to speed up the identification of goods, means that can be activated, for example buttons, for main goods groups, e.g. B. provide fruits, drinks, canned goods, vegetables, non-food. The customer can then select the main product group to which the product to be identified belongs. It can be provided here that the identification only begins after the key or the like assigned to the main product group has been actuated by the customer.

The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematisch dargestellte Seitenansicht einer der Waagen,

Fig. 3

ein Blockschaltbild dieser Waage mit zugehörigen Geräten und Baugruppen,

Fig. 4

eine schematisch dargestellte Modifikation einer der Videokameras mit Blockschaltbild,

Fig. 5

eine schematisch dargestellte Modifikation einer der Waagen,

Fig. 6

eine schematisch dargestellte Ausführungsform einer Präsentationsfläche mit aufgelegter Ware,

Fig. 7

eine schematisch dargestellte andere Ausführungsform einer Präsentationsfläche mit aufgelegter Ware,

Fig. 8

eine Ausführungsform einer Waage oder eines Erfassungsgerätes mit einem Handhabungsgerät für die richtige Positionierung der Ware auf der Präsentationsfläche,

Fig. 9

eine schematisch dargestellte Präsentationsfläche mit einer Haltevorrichtung für Tragbeutel oder dergleichen,

Fig. 10

eine schematisch dargestellte Waage mit einer Einrichtung zur Erstellung von Warenidentifikationsbildern.

Show it

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematically illustrated side view of one of the scales,

Fig. 3

a block diagram of this scale with associated devices and assemblies,

Fig. 4

1 shows a schematically illustrated modification of one of the video cameras with a block diagram,

Fig. 5

a schematically illustrated modification of one of the scales,

Fig. 6

1 shows a schematically represented embodiment of a presentation area with placed goods,

Fig. 7

1 shows a schematically illustrated other embodiment of a presentation area with the goods placed on it,

Fig. 8

an embodiment of a scale or a recording device with a handling device for the correct positioning of the goods on the presentation surface,

Fig. 9

a schematically represented presentation area with a holding device for carrying bags or the like,

Fig. 10

a schematically illustrated scale with a device for creating goods identification images.

The device shown in FIG. 1 for determining the sales price of goods offered in a self-service point of sale has any number of self-service scales 1, which are expediently set up wherever weight-dependent goods are offered. One of these self-service scales 1 is also set up at each cash register 2. Since only one goods identification is required for weight-independent goods, detection devices 3 are set up wherever such goods are offered. Since the identification of goods independent of weight can also be carried out on the load plate of a self-service scale, there is usually no need to set up a recording device 3 at each checkout 2. The use of a scale at the checkout to identify goods that are independent of weight even has the advantage that the weight is available as an additional feature for identification, for example for goods with a very similar appearance but different weights, which facilitates clear identification. Furthermore, as indicated schematically in FIG. 1, the device also includes any number of output devices 4 for customer identity cards 5 and read / write devices 6 for these customer identity cards 5. The output of a customer identification card 5 can be made dependent on this that the customer has an authorization card, for example a check card 9, which he must first enter into the output device 4. One of these read / write devices 6 is assigned to each self-service scale 1 and each registration device 3 in order to be able to write the data determined there into the customer identity card 5. A reader 7 for reading the data stored on the customer identity cards 5 is provided at each cash register. In the exemplary embodiment, further reading devices 7 are installed in the sales room. In the exemplary embodiment there is also a master computer 8 to which all read / write devices 6 are connected via a data bus 10. Each output device 4 and the reading devices 7 are also preferably connected to this master computer 8 via the data bus 10.

Each of the electronic self-service scales 1 has a load plate 11 on which the goods 12, which are, for example, a banana, are placed by the customer for the weighing process. The weight is determined in a known manner by means of weighing electronics 13 contained in a weighing cell.

At a distance above the load plate 11, which prevents the goods 12 from being placed on the load plate 11 and being removed, there is a video camera 14 which, as shown in FIG. 2, is rigidly connected to the scale housing 16 via a tripod 15 , of course, but could also be connected to the supporting surface 17 supporting the scales. The video camera 14 can capture the entire goods support surface of the load plate 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the video camera 14 is followed by an amplifier-digitizer 18, which can also be built into the video camera 14 and digitize the image taken by the goods 12. The electronics of the video camera 14 can, as shown in FIG. 4, be equipped with a pre-comparator 34 in order to carry out a pre-sorting of the identification images that are possible for the identification. The final goods identification is essential accelerated. Instead of the goods, however, an identification sign, for example a sticker which is to be attached to the banana or which already exists and which bears an image or sign which unmistakably identifies the goods, could be used for the goods identification. The digital image signals are fed to a comparator 19 used for image identification. This is also connected to a memory 20, in which all recognizable identification images, ie the images of all recognizable goods or their identification symbols, are contained in digitized form. As soon as the comparator 19 has recognized with which of the images contained in the memory 20 the image supplied by the digitizer 18 corresponds to such an extent that one can assume a goods identity, the comparator 19 transmits the identification signal belonging to this product to the scale electronics 13. This signal contains the information or is supplemented with the information about the price per unit weight of the recognized goods, which is generated in the known self-service scales by pressing the key of the scale keyboard assigned to the goods.

The price that can be calculated by the scale electronics 13 and paid for the goods 12 lying on the load plate 11 can be printed out on a data carrier, preferably in the form of an adhesive label, by means of a printer 21. This data carrier, which can also bear the name of the goods, their weight and the price per unit of weight, is then output, as is customary in the known self-service scales. If this data is written into the customer identity card 5, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment, the output of the data carriers could also be omitted.

In the exemplary embodiment, the scale electronics 13 give the name of the goods 12, the price per unit of weight, their weight and the amount to be paid in the form of digital signals to a control electronics 22, which is connected downstream of the comparator 19 and controls a display device 23. This display device 23 has a monitor on which the image of the goods 12 stored in the memory 20, for example as a color image, is reproduced for control purposes. In addition, the information supplied by the scale electronics 13, ie the name of the goods, the price per unit of weight, the weight and the amount to be paid appear on the monitor. As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor of the display device 23 is held by a stand 23 'provided next to the load plate 11, approximately at the customer's eye level, so that the screen is in the customer's field of vision.

If the display device 23 contains a loudspeaker 24 instead of or in addition to the monitor, which is preferably arranged inside the scale housing 16, then the name of the goods 12, their price per unit weight and / or their weight and / or the amount to be paid can be acoustically displayed be, either once or several times with an adjustable volume and repetition rate.

In the exemplary embodiment, each display device 23 is assigned an input device, for example in the form of a pushbutton or keyboard 30, so that the customer can confirm to the electronics that the goods identification and the data transaction carried out are correct. The confirmation could also be done acoustically. Speech recognition electronics are then required. If the goods identification and / or the data transaction is not correct, then the goods 12 must be moved to a different position in order to repeat the identification.

The detection devices 3 have a presentation area 25 on which the weight-independent goods 26 to be identified, for example a bottle, are placed for the purpose of identification. As with the self-service scales 1 on the load plate 11, a video camera is directed onto the presentation surface 25, which is designed like the video cameras 14 and is therefore provided with the same reference number. Of course, as shown in FIG. 5, at least two video cameras 14 can also be arranged spatially offset, in order to obtain a product image that can be identified better and thus more quickly. In this case, the signals from the video cameras 14 are expediently supplied to electronics common to all video cameras 14. A tripod, not shown, of the detection device 3 holds each existing video camera 14 in a position in which it does not hinder the placing of the goods 26 on the presentation surface 25.

The presentation surface 25 is designed so that the goods 26 cannot fall out and their correct positioning is facilitated. 6 shows the shape of a trough as an example.

Instead of a manual change in the position of the goods 26, an automatic change can also be provided. For this purpose, the presentation surface 25 can, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, have a conveyor belt 40, which can form a support surface in the form of a trough. Furthermore, a handling device or robot 41 is considered for this, which brings the goods 26 into the correct position on the presentation surface 25 (cf. FIG. 8).

Furthermore, the presentation area 25 can be provided with aids that facilitate quick and reliable goods recognition. This can be a holding device 42 act (see FIG. 9), which holds a carrier bag open so that the video camera 14 can capture the goods contained in the carrier bag.

Such aids for changing the position of the goods can of course also be assigned to the load plate 11 of the scales 1.

The lighting of the load plate 11 and the presentation surface 25 is expediently generated with at least one lamp 31 directed towards the goods 12 or 26. To accelerate the recognition process, this lamp 31 or lamps can be provided with color filters. The goods can then be pre-sorted by color. Color filtering can of course also be carried out electronically. The use of the video camera 14 ′ shown in FIG. 4 with detection electronics is particularly advantageous. This video camera 14 'contains an electromechanical or electronic color filter 32 which is connected upstream of an image scanner with digitizer 33. A pre-comparator 34 compares the digitized image with the main comparison features of the goods, for example the shape (square, round, elongated, amorphous) and the color, stored in a memory 44. The comparator 34 is followed by detection electronics 35 for the main features and an assembly 36 which generates the detection signals for the main features and which forwards these signals to an interface 37. The interface 37 transmits the pre-digitized signals of the overall image and the recognition signals for the main features to an input / output interface 38, to which an interface 39 for receiving the control signals for the electronics of the video camera 14 'is also connected. The data line for connecting the video camera 14 'to the associated detection electronics and control electronics is designated by 43 in FIG.

As with the self-service scales 1, the overall image and features thereof generated by the video camera 14 or 14 'are digitized and compared with goods images and features thereof which are present in digital form in an image memory 20. Of course, analog signals can also be used for this comparison process. The video camera 14 or 14 'of each detection device 3 is followed by a digitizer 18, the output of which is connected to a first input of a comparator 19, to the second input of which an image memory 20 is connected (see FIG. 3). The comparator 19 is followed by a control electronics 22 which controls the display device 23 which, like the self-service scales 1, has a monitor which is held in the customer's field of vision by a tripod. In the exemplary embodiment, the image of the goods 26, their designation, their price and, if appropriate, further information are reproduced on the monitor. In the exemplary embodiment, the display devices 23 of the recording devices 3 are likewise assigned an input device, for example in the form of a key (not shown), which the customer presses when the goods identification and data transaction carried out is correct. This key can be omitted if there is speech recognition electronics that recognize the words "yes" and "no", for example. If the goods identification and / or the data transaction are not correct, the customer or the device provided for this purpose change the position of the goods 26 on the presentation surface 25. Of course, the display devices of the detection devices 3 (FIG. 1) can also be designed for acoustic information output.

The images of the recognizable goods or their identification signs are on commercially available data carriers 27 (FIG. 2) stored magnetically or optically in digital form. The data from the data carriers 27 can be read into the image memory 20 by means of a reading device 28, which in the exemplary embodiment is connected to the memory 20 via a connecting line 29, preferably all empty memory locations being occupied first before images that are no longer required are overwritten . If the range of goods changes, an operator only needs to remove the data carriers 27 of the newly added goods from a library or the like and read their pictures or identification signs one after the other into the image memory 20 by means of the reading device 28.

The goods identification images to be stored can be created, for example, with the aid of one of the scales 1, provided that their keyboard 30 allows the data required for this to be entered. If this is not the case, as shown in FIG. 10, a keyboard 30 'can be connected to the scale 1.

The person commissioned with the creation of the goods identification images first selects the mode “creation of goods identification images” using the keyboard 30 or 30 ′, which can also be referred to as a “learning process”. The changeover to this mode can be displayed on the screen 23, on which the further steps can also be displayed in the manner of an operator guidance.

The person then places the goods on the presentation surface, ie the load plate 11, and then enters the name of the goods and their price per unit of weight. This information is preferably displayed on the screen 23 for control purposes. Finally, by means of a the keyboard 30 or 30 'entered command, the goods image captured by the video camera 14 is stored in digitized form under the entered name.

Expediently, images of the goods are created and stored in different layers in order to later facilitate the identification of the goods.

If, as in the exemplary embodiment, each buyer receives a customer identity card 5 which, for example, consists of plastic or cardboard and is provided with a magnetic strip in order to be able to store data, the customer identity card 5 is inserted into the reader / writer 6 before the goods are placed on the assigned load plate 11 or presentation surface 25. The amount to be paid and, if necessary, further information about the goods are then transferred to the customer identity card 5. In the exemplary embodiment, there is also a transfer to the host computer 8. After the goods identification and data transaction have ended and, in the case of a self-service scale 1, the weighing process, the customer again removes his customer identity card 5 from the reader / writer 6.

If reading devices 7 are available, to which an output device, in particular a monitor, is assigned, the customer can in between check the total amount of the goods selected so far.

A reader 7 provided at the access to the cash register 2 makes it possible to transfer the stored data into the main memory of the host computer 8 so that it can be called up without delay as soon as the customer reaches the cash register 2 and there his customer identity card 5 into it has introduced 2 associated reader 7 to checkout.

At checkout 2, goods 12 and 26 are placed on load plate 11 of self-service scales 1 at checkout 2 in any order. There is then a comparison of the determined goods identification with the stored goods identification and, as far as weight-dependent goods prices are concerned, also a weight comparison in order to check the price. In the case of weight-independent goods prices, the weight comparison can be used as a further feature for goods identification. At the checkout 2, the sales price is automatically determined using the self-service scale 1 and the video camera 14 and, in the case of the issue of customer identity cards 5, a complete check of all the data stored on the customer identity card 5. In the event of a mismatch or in case of doubt, the cashier can use the display on the screen to decide whether the data is correct or needs to be corrected.

All of the features mentioned in the above description and also the features that can only be inferred from the drawing are further refinements of the invention, even if they are not particularly emphasized and in particular are not mentioned in the claims.

Claims (22)

Device for determining the sales price of goods, in particular goods offered in self-service sales outlets a) at least one electronic unit which determines the sales price on the basis of identification features which characterize the goods, b) at least one video camera, which is aimed at a presentation area which temporarily carries the goods and c) an image memory for the identification of goods,

characterized in that

d) the video camera (14, 14 ') is assigned a digitizer (18) which digitizes the product image received by the video camera (14, 14'), e) the image memory (20) or a plurality of image memories is designed for storing digitized overall comparison images of the goods (12, 26) and / or features of the goods (12, 26), and f) a product (12, 26) lying on the presentation surface (11, 25) by comparing its digitized overall image and / or by comparing features with the comparative images contained in the image memory (20) is provided comparator (19) which Provides identification signals. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the presentation surface is formed by the load plate (11) of a scale (1) with a weight sensor, the output signals of the scale electronics (12) corresponding to the weight of the goods (12) lying on the load plate (11). 13) can be supplied. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a correct positioning of the goods (12, 26) for the image capturing form of the presentation surface (11, 25) and / or aids (40, 41, 42) for correct positioning. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by at least one lighting device (31) directed onto the presentation surface (11, 25). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by color filters (32) which are assigned to the lighting device (31) and / or the video camera (14 ') and can be switched on preferably sequentially. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by electronics (34, 35, 44) integrated in the video camera (14 ') for a preselection based on known characteristics of the goods stored in the electronics. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least two video cameras (14, 14 ') with different directions of view of the presentation surface (11, 25) are arranged spatially offset. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least each display area (11, 25) carrying the goods (12, 26) for a first identification is assigned an output device (23) which visualizes and / or in writing the identified goods and / or acoustically. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the output device (23) has means for outputting the sales price of the goods and / or the sales price per unit weight. Device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the output device (23) has a screen on which the image of the goods (12, 26) identified by the comparator (19) and / or the goods name and / or the goods name and / or contained in the memory (20). or the price per unit of weight and / or the weight of the goods (12, 26) lying on the presentation surface (11, 25) and / or the amount to be paid appears. Device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the output device has audio output means which, via a loudspeaker (24), the name of the goods (12, 26) identified by the comparator (19) and / or the amount to be paid and / or acoustically display the price per unit of weight and / or the weight. Device according to claim 11, characterized by a volume control and / or repeat control assigned to the audio output means (24). Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the output device (23) has means to be activated by the customer for confirming the correctness of the information about the goods (12, 26) and / or of transaction data. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the means to be activated have at least one key and / or speech recognition electronics. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each presentation surface (11, 25) is assigned a reading and writing device (6) for the transaction of at least the selling price on a customer identity card (5). Device according to claim 15, characterized in that at least the reading and writing devices (6) are connected to a computer (8) via at least one data line (10). Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by at least one station (7) for querying by means of the customer identification card (5) of the transaction data stored in this or in the computer (8) on the basis of the goods identification that has already taken place. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that each scale (1) and each detection device (3) is independently functional. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that both each scale (1) and each detection device (3) and each reading and writing device (6) and each interrogation station (7) have a system capability allowing a connection in the network. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized by a reading device (28), by means of which from data carriers (27) on which the digitized identification images of different goods are stored, this image data can be input into the image memory (20). Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized by an input device (30, 30 ') connected or connectable to a scale (1) or a recording device (3) for data input for the production of comparison images by means of the scale (1) or the Detection device (3) associated video camera (14, 14 ') and for controlling the associated electronics. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized by a comparison device for the information on the individual goods determined at the cash register (2) with the information on these goods stored on the customer identity card (5).

Images