EP2474956A1 - Transport unit and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Transport unit and method for operating the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2474956A1
EP2474956A1 EP11009451A EP11009451A EP2474956A1 EP 2474956 A1 EP2474956 A1 EP 2474956A1 EP 11009451 A EP11009451 A EP 11009451A EP 11009451 A EP11009451 A EP 11009451A EP 2474956 A1 EP2474956 A1 EP 2474956A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
goods
unit
transport
conveyor belt
support
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP11009451A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2474956B1 (en
Inventor
Dominik Widmaier
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Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
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Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
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Publication of EP2474956A1 publication Critical patent/EP2474956A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
    • G07G1/00—Cash registers
    • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
    • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F9/00—Shop, bar, bank or like counters
    • A47F9/02—Paying counters
    • A47F9/04—Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
    • A47F9/046—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters
    • A47F9/047—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant
    • A47F9/048—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant automatically

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a transport unit for feeding goods to a scanning unit of a self-service cash register system with a conveyor belt for transporting the goods in a transport direction and with a marking unit associated with the conveyor belt for marking released for placing the goods support areas on a goods support surface of the conveyor belt.
  • the invention relates to a method for subdividing a goods support surface of a conveyor belt serving for transporting a transport unit into a plurality of released for placing goods in a transport direction of the transport unit successively arranged support areas, wherein the individual support areas are marked by a marking unit.
  • Self-service checkout systems are increasingly being used in trade in order to identify the goods selected by a customer largely automatically and to settle the purchase.
  • the goods are usually optically detected without contact by means of a scanning unit by scanning a surface of the goods and, in particular, a marking serving to identify the goods is detected.
  • a scanning unit for example a so-called tunnel scanner used.
  • the goods are typically fed to the tunnel scanner automatically via a transport unit having a conveyor belt.
  • the tunnel scanner has a plurality of scanning modules which are fastened to a frame which is arranged in the manner of an archway over the conveyor belt.
  • the scanning modules With the help of the scanning modules, the complete surface of the goods, with the exception of a support side, with which the goods rest on a goods support surface of the conveyor belt, be scanned.
  • the goods which are manually placed on the goods support surface by the customer do not typically have a certain orientation.
  • a further scanning module can be arranged below the conveyor belt such that the bearing surface of the goods is also optically detected by a recess in the transport unit.
  • the goods to be detected are fed to the scanning unit sequentially.
  • This is for example from the DE 102 35 865 A1
  • marking units to the conveyor belt, by means of which the goods support surface formed by the upper run of the conveyor belt can be subdivided into a plurality of bearing areas of predetermined size.
  • the customer is requested to place only one product per support area on the conveyor belt.
  • the boundaries of the individual support areas are optically highlighted, for example by means of the marking unit.
  • the disadvantage here is that the bearing areas have a constant predefined and structurally defined size.
  • the Bearing areas can not be adapted to the size of the goods assigned to them. responsible for this is the rigid assignment of the marking unit to the conveyor belt. In this respect, the distance of the individual goods is unnecessarily large and the goods throughput is limited, especially with a small product size. In contrast, in particular very large goods can extend beyond the boundaries of the support areas.
  • Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transport unit and a method for operating the transport unit such that the goods throughput increases at a transport unit having self-service cash system and a reliable, automated collection of goods of any size is possible.
  • the invention in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt is associated with a detector unit for detecting a rear edge of the goods seen in the transport direction, and that a control unit cooperates with the marking unit and the detector unit such that between a seen in the transport direction front support area and a rear support area seen in the transport direction is not released for the placement of goods Sperr Scheme is formed, wherein seen in the transport direction front end face is defined by the rear edge of the product associated with the front support area.
  • the particular advantage of the invention is that by detecting the rear edge of the product by means of the detector unit, the support areas with a variable, to the size of the respective length of the goods to be collected can be defined.
  • a high level of automation can be achieved and the error rate in goods registration can be reduced.
  • a high packing density and an improved throughput of goods is achieved, especially for small goods sizes.
  • the blocking area which is provided between in each case two support areas arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, has, for example, a constant length and is dimensioned such that reliable detection of the goods by the scanning unit is ensured. Labeling the overlay area simplifies the handling of the self-service checkout system for the customer.
  • the detector unit has an optical sensor for non-contact detection of the rear edge of the product.
  • an optical sensor ensures a fast and reliable identification of the rear edge of the product.
  • the detector unit can have a camera system in order to detect the goods and to identify the rear edge of the product via means of image processing.
  • a plurality of optical sensors of the goods support surface of the conveyor belt are assigned such that means of the detector unit, the goods support surface spanning light grid is formed, wherein a detection plane of the light grid substantially parallel to a transport plane of the conveyor belt is oriented.
  • the provision of a light grid, the position of the rear edge of the product not only determined once, but are determined during the entire transport continuously or at intervals.
  • several goods can be detected simultaneously.
  • the optical sensors each have a transmitting and receiving unit in the manner of a light barrier for forming the light grid.
  • the light grid is advantageously oriented parallel to the transport plane of the conveyor belt to reliably detect goods regardless of their position on the conveyor belt and their size, in particular height.
  • the marking unit has a plurality of laterally adjacent to the goods support surface of the conveyor belt, extending in the transport direction light sources.
  • the light sources serve to optically identify the support area or the blocking areas.
  • placing the goods on the transport unit for the customer is particularly easy if the support areas and blocking areas are visually highlighted and easy to recognize.
  • the support areas can be illuminated.
  • the light sources can emit differently colored light in order to illuminate the support areas for the customer in a first color (eg green) and the blocking areas in a second color (eg red).
  • the light sources of the marking unit can with the in Moving direction to be moved moving conveyor belt or assigned to the transport unit stationary.
  • the invention is characterized in connection with the preamble of claim 7, characterized in that a rear edge of the goods seen in the transport direction of the goods is detected to determine a rear end face seen in the transport direction of the goods associated bearing area on the one hand and a front end of a for the placement of goods not released blocking area of the goods support surface on the other hand, wherein two seen in the transport direction successive support areas are separated by a blocking area from each other.
  • the particular advantage of the invention is that the bearing areas receive a variable, adapted to the location and size of the goods to be detected length. Due to the variable length, the packing density can be increased and the goods throughput can be improved. In addition, it can be avoided that in particular large or bulky goods protrude beyond rigidly predetermined limits of the support surface.
  • the blocking area is indicated by means of the marking unit.
  • the customer receives visual feedback both on the boundaries of the support areas and on the boundaries of the restricted areas.
  • the correct circulation of goods on the conveyor belt is further simplified.
  • the marking unit assumes a dual function, with the result that the overall solution can be realized particularly low or the additional marking of the blocked areas is possible without significant additional effort.
  • the position of the support areas or blocking areas during transport is continuously identified to produce a dynamic support and Sperr Schlsan Attache.
  • this makes possible, for example, a dynamic visualization in the manner of a light strip.
  • a plurality of arranged in the transport direction of the conveyor belt, preferably laterally adjacent to the conveyor belt arranged light sources are controlled such that the support and stop areas are not displayed statically, but "wander" analogous to the transport speed of the product.
  • the dynamic support and locking range display based on the non-moving customer, simplifies handling and ensures that the support areas are displayed at all times.
  • Incbedienungskassenensystem has as essential components a transport unit 1, a scanning unit 2, a marking unit 3 and a detector unit 4.
  • Such self-service checkout systems are increasingly used in the retail sector to automatically capture the goods selected by the customer and to reduce the cost of the payment process.
  • the scanning unit 2 is constructed by way of example in the manner of a tunnel scanner. It serves to optically scan the surface of a product 5 to be detected in a non-contact manner and, in particular, to detect a marking serving to identify the product 5.
  • the scanning unit 2 has, for example, a multiplicity of scanning modules mounted distributed on a frame extending in the manner of an archway over the transport unit 1, by means of which the goods 5 are scanned.
  • the scanning unit 2 also has a further, arranged below the transport unit 1 scanning module, by means of which a support surface of the goods 5, with the goods 5 rests on the transport unit 1, can be optically scanned through a recess of the transport unit 1.
  • the transport unit 1 has as an essential component on a conveyor belt 6, which preferably as endless conveyor belt is formed and serves to supply the goods 5 in a transport direction 7 of the scanning unit 2. Furthermore, the transport unit 1 comprises a transport means configured as a further conveyor belt 8 for transporting the goods 5 from the scanning unit 2. Via the further conveyor belt 8, the goods 5 are supplied to a goods collecting station, not shown, where the captured goods 5 are removed by the customer provided.
  • the detector unit 4 In order to reliably detect goods by means of the scanning unit 2, they must be supplied to the scanning unit 2 sequentially. For this purpose, it is necessary that the goods isolated and spaced on the conveyor belt 6 are placed. In order to assist the customer in the separation of the goods, the detector unit 4 is provided. By means of the detector unit 4, a rear edge 9 of the goods 5 is visually recognized.
  • the detector unit 4 has a plurality of optical transmission units 10 and optical reception units 11 which function in the manner of a light barrier and generate a light grid 12. Depending on a transmitting unit 10 and a receiving unit 11 define an optical sensor of the detector unit 4.
  • the light grid 12 extends transversely to the transport direction 7 via the conveyor belt 6th
  • the optical transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 are arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 6 laterally adjacent thereto and extend in the transport direction 7 such that the light grid 12 completely spans a defined by the upper strand of the conveyor belt 6 goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6.
  • a detection plane of the light grid is here oriented substantially parallel to a transport plane 14 of the conveyor belt 6.
  • the marking unit 3 is formed by a plurality of laterally adjacent to the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6, extending in the transport direction 7, fixed to the transport unit 1 associated light sources 17 formed.
  • the marking unit 3 serves to visually identify a plurality of support areas 15, 16 intended for placing goods 5 on the goods support surface 13.
  • the support areas 15, 16 laterally associated light sources 17 of the marking unit 3 can be activated. For the customer is thus easily recognizable, at which point the goods 5 can be placed on the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6.
  • the light and grating 12 generating transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 of the detector unit 4 are as well as the light sources 17 of the marking unit 3 of the transport unit 1 fixed and laterally adjacent to the conveyor belt 6 assigned.
  • Transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 and light sources 17 are preferably integrated in a lateral cladding 31 of the transport unit 1, in particular for protection against mechanical loads and contamination.
  • the cladding 31 may protect additional components, in particular the moving components of the transport unit 1, from being accessed from the outside.
  • the blocking region 18 has a preferably constant length 19 and is dimensioned so that the scanning unit 2 sequentially supplied goods can be reliably detected.
  • the blocking regions 18 laterally associated light sources 17 are not active according to the present embodiment of the invention, so that the customer can easily distinguish between the support area 15, 16 and the blocking areas 18 of the goods support surface 13.
  • the bearing areas 15, 16 have a variable length 20, 21.
  • a control unit works together with the marking unit 3 and the detector unit 4.
  • the detected by means of the detector unit 4 rear edge of the product 9 defines both seen in the direction of transport 7 rear end 22 of the front in the transport direction 7ressauflage Schemes 15 and seen in the transport direction 7 front end face 23 of the front support area 15 of a seen in the transport direction 7 rear support area In this way, it is ensured that the front support area 15 has a minimum length 21 for a given position of the goods 5, and the blocking area 18 adjoins the support area 15 directly.
  • the rear web edge 9 on the one hand and the rear end face 22 of the front support area 15 and the front end face 23 of the blocking area 18 on the other hand can deviate from the schematic representation of the characters 1 and 2 spaced apart, in particular have a distance of 5 cm or less.
  • control unit controls the Light sources 17 dynamically and generates in this way a light strip for dynamic Auflage Schemes- andsperr Schemesan attache.
  • Exemplary shows a second embodiment after FIG. 3 the conveyor belt 6 with the first product 5 and a second product 24.
  • the second product 24 is placed by the customer at any point on the rear support area 16.
  • the detector unit 4 identifies a rear edge 25 of the second product 24 in a known manner.
  • the rear support area 16 seen in the transport direction 7 is delimited by the rear edge 25 of the second product 24.
  • another locking portion 26 connects.
  • the marking unit 3 has light sources 17 on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 6.
  • the visualization of the support areas 15, 16 and the stopper areas 18 is improved.
  • goods can be placed on the conveyor belt 6 from both sides.
  • the packing density of the transport unit 1 is limited by the number of goods 5, 24, the length 19 of the blocking areas 18, 26 and the position of the goods 5, 24 in the support areas 15, 16.
  • a maximum packing density would be achieved if the support areas 15, 16 have a minimum length, that is, when a front edge of the product 32 32 of the second product 24 directly adjacent to a rear end face 33 of the front in the transport direction 7 blocking area 18.
  • the length of the rear support region 16 is then defined by the length of the second product 24.
  • the marking unit 3 has a projection module 29.
  • the projection module 29, which is arranged by way of example in the region of the scanning unit 2, serves to project a marking 30 characterizing the blocking region 18 onto the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6.
  • the customer recognizes by means of the marking 30 that this area is not intended for the placement of goods 5, 24.
  • the illustration of the light grid 12 has been omitted for reasons of clarity alone.
  • the detector unit 4 has a plurality of transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 arranged adjacent to one another in the transport direction 7 for constructing the light grid 12.
  • any suitable sensor in particular any suitable optical sensor, can be used to detect the rear edge 9, 25 of the product.
  • a camera-supported detector unit 4 can be provided, wherein the rear edges of the goods 9, 25 are identified by means of image processing.

Abstract

The transporting unit (1) has a conveyor belt (6) that is assigned to a detector unit (4) for detecting a rear goods edge (9) of goods (5). A control unit interacts with a marking unit and the detector unit such that a locking area (18) is formed between a front supporting area (15) and a rear supporting area (16). An independent claim is also included for a method for dividing a goods support surface of a conveyor belt of transporting unit in multiple supporting areas.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Transporteinheit zum Zuführen von Waren zu einer Abtasteinheit eines Selbstbedienungskassensystems mit einem Transportband zum Transportieren der Ware in eine Transportrichtung und mit einer dem Transportband zugeordneten Markierungseinheit zur Kennzeichnung von für das Auflegen der Waren freigegebenen Auflagebereichen auf einer Warenauflagefläche des Transportbands.The invention relates to a transport unit for feeding goods to a scanning unit of a self-service cash register system with a conveyor belt for transporting the goods in a transport direction and with a marking unit associated with the conveyor belt for marking released for placing the goods support areas on a goods support surface of the conveyor belt.

Ferner betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Unterteilung einer Warenauflagefläche eines zum Transport von Waren dienenden Transportbands einer Transporteinheit in eine Mehrzahl von für das Auflegen von Waren freigegebene, in einer Transportrichtung der Transporteinheit hintereinander angeordnete Auflagebereiche, wobei die einzelnen Auflagebereiche mittels einer Markierungseinheit kenntlich gemacht werden.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for subdividing a goods support surface of a conveyor belt serving for transporting a transport unit into a plurality of released for placing goods in a transport direction of the transport unit successively arranged support areas, wherein the individual support areas are marked by a marking unit.

Zunehmend kommen im Handel Selbstbedienungskassensysteme zum Einsatz, um die von einem Kunden ausgewählten Waren weitgehend automatisiert zu identifizieren und den Einkauf abzurechnen. Hierzu werden die Waren üblicherweise mit Hilfe einer Abtasteinheit berührungsfrei optisch erfasst, indem eine Oberfläche der Waren gescannt und insbesondere eine der Identifizierung der Ware dienende Markierung erfasst wird.Self-service checkout systems are increasingly being used in trade in order to identify the goods selected by a customer largely automatically and to settle the purchase. For this purpose, the goods are usually optically detected without contact by means of a scanning unit by scanning a surface of the goods and, in particular, a marking serving to identify the goods is detected.

Um eine zuverlässige Abtastung der gesamten Oberfläche der Ware zu gewährleisten, kommen als Abtasteinheit beispielsweise ein sogenannter Tunnelscanner zum Einsatz. Die Waren werden dem Tunnelscanner typischerweise über eine ein Transportband aufweisende Transporteinheit automatisiert zugeführt. Der Tunnelscanner weist eine Mehrzahl von Abtastmodulen auf, die an einem sich torbogenförmig über das Transportband angeordnete Gestell befestigt sind. Mit Hilfe der Abtastmodule wird die komplette Oberfläche der Ware mit Ausnahme einer Auflageseite, mit der die Waren auf einer Warenauflagefläche des Transportbands aufliegen, abgescannt werden. Eine bestimmte Orientierung weisen die auf der Warenauflagefläche manuell vom Kunden aufgelegten Waren hierbei typischerweise nicht auf. Zusätzlich kann zur optischen Abtastung der Auflagefläche der Waren ein weiteres Abtastmodul unterhalb des Transportbands derart angeordnet sein, dass durch eine Ausnehmung in der Transporteinheit hindurch auch die Auflagefläche der Waren optisch erfasst wird.In order to ensure a reliable scanning of the entire surface of the goods come as a scanning unit, for example a so-called tunnel scanner used. The goods are typically fed to the tunnel scanner automatically via a transport unit having a conveyor belt. The tunnel scanner has a plurality of scanning modules which are fastened to a frame which is arranged in the manner of an archway over the conveyor belt. With the help of the scanning modules, the complete surface of the goods, with the exception of a support side, with which the goods rest on a goods support surface of the conveyor belt, be scanned. In this case, the goods which are manually placed on the goods support surface by the customer do not typically have a certain orientation. In addition, for the optical scanning of the bearing surface of the goods, a further scanning module can be arranged below the conveyor belt such that the bearing surface of the goods is also optically detected by a recess in the transport unit.

Um einen hohen Automatisierungsgrad und eine geringe Fehlerquote zu gewährleisten, werden die zu erfassenden Waren der Abtasteinheit sequentiell zugeführt. Hierzu ist beispielsweise aus der DE 102 35 865 A1 bekannt, dem Transportband Markierungseinheiten zuzuordnen, mittels derer die durch das Obertrum des Transportbands gebildete Warenauflagefläche in eine Mehrzahl von Auflagebereichen vorgegebener Größe unterteilt werden kann. Der Kunde wird aufgefordert, jeweils nur eine Ware pro Auflagebereich auf das Transportband aufzulegen. Auf diese Weise ist sichergestellt, dass die Waren der Abtasteinheit beabstandet zugeführt und zuverlässig identifiziert werden können. Die Grenzen der einzelnen Auflagebereiche werden dabei beispielsweise mittels der Markierungseinheit optisch hervorgehoben. Nachteilig hierbei ist, dass die Auflagebereiche eine konstante vorab definierte und konstruktiv festgelegte Größe aufweisen. Die Auflagebereiche können nicht an die Größe der ihnen zugeordneten Ware angepasst werden können. Verantwortlich hierfür ist die starre Zuordnung der Markierungseinheit zu dem Transportband. Insofern ist der Abstand der einzelnen Waren insbesondere bei einer kleinen Warengröße unnötig groß und der Warendurchsatz limitiert. Demgegenüber können insbesondere sehr große Waren über die Grenzen der Auflagebereiche hinausragen.In order to ensure a high degree of automation and a low error rate, the goods to be detected are fed to the scanning unit sequentially. This is for example from the DE 102 35 865 A1 It is known to assign marking units to the conveyor belt, by means of which the goods support surface formed by the upper run of the conveyor belt can be subdivided into a plurality of bearing areas of predetermined size. The customer is requested to place only one product per support area on the conveyor belt. In this way it is ensured that the goods can be supplied to the scanning unit at a distance and reliably identified. The boundaries of the individual support areas are optically highlighted, for example by means of the marking unit. The disadvantage here is that the bearing areas have a constant predefined and structurally defined size. The Bearing areas can not be adapted to the size of the goods assigned to them. Responsible for this is the rigid assignment of the marking unit to the conveyor belt. In this respect, the distance of the individual goods is unnecessarily large and the goods throughput is limited, especially with a small product size. In contrast, in particular very large goods can extend beyond the boundaries of the support areas.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, eine Transporteinheit und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb der Transporteinheit derart anzugeben, dass der Warendurchsatz an einem die Transporteinheit aufweisenden Selbstbedienungskassensystem erhöht und eine zuverlässige, automatisierte Erfassung von Waren beliebiger Größe ermöglicht wird.Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transport unit and a method for operating the transport unit such that the goods throughput increases at a transport unit having self-service cash system and a reliable, automated collection of goods of any size is possible.

Zur Lösung der Aufgabe ist die Erfindung in Verbindung mit dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dem Transportband eine Detektoreinheit zur Erfassung einer in Transportrichtung gesehen hinteren Warenkante der Waren zugeordnet ist, und dass eine Steuereinheit derart mit der Markierungseinheit und der Detektoreinheit zusammenwirkt, dass zwischen einen im Transportrichtung gesehen vorderen Auflagebereich und einem in Transportrichtung gesehen hinteren Auflagebereich ein für das Auflegen von Waren nicht freigegebener Sperrbereich ausgebildet wird, wobei dessen in Transportrichtung gesehen vordere Stirnseite durch die hintere Warenkante der auf dem vorderen Auflagebereich zugeordneten Ware definiert ist.To achieve the object, the invention in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor belt is associated with a detector unit for detecting a rear edge of the goods seen in the transport direction, and that a control unit cooperates with the marking unit and the detector unit such that between a seen in the transport direction front support area and a rear support area seen in the transport direction is not released for the placement of goods Sperrbereich is formed, wherein seen in the transport direction front end face is defined by the rear edge of the product associated with the front support area.

Der besondere Vorteil der Erfindung besteht darin, dass durch die Erfassung der hinteren Warenkante mittels der Detektoreinheit die Auflagebereiche mit einer variablen, an die Größe der jeweils zu erfassenden Ware angepassten Länge definiert werden können. Hierdurch wird zum einen vermieden, dass besonders große Waren über die Grenzen des Auflagebereichs hinausragen. Insofern können ein hoher Automatisierungsgrad erreicht und die Fehlerquote bei der Warenerfassung reduziert werden. Zudem wird insbesondere bei kleinen Warengrößen eine hohe Packdichte und ein verbesserter Warendurchsatz erreicht. Der Sperrbereich, welcher zwischen jeweils zwei in Transportrichtung hintereinander angeordneten Auflagebereichen vorgesehen ist, weist beispielsweise eine konstante Länge auf und ist so bemessen, dass eine zuverlässige Erfassung der Waren durch die Abtasteinheit gewährleistet ist. Indem der Auflagebereich gekennzeichnet wird, vereinfacht sich die Handhabung des Selbstbedienungskassensystems für den Kunden.The particular advantage of the invention is that by detecting the rear edge of the product by means of the detector unit, the support areas with a variable, to the size of the respective length of the goods to be collected can be defined. As a result, on the one hand avoids that particularly large goods protrude beyond the limits of the support area. In this respect, a high level of automation can be achieved and the error rate in goods registration can be reduced. In addition, a high packing density and an improved throughput of goods is achieved, especially for small goods sizes. The blocking area, which is provided between in each case two support areas arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, has, for example, a constant length and is dimensioned such that reliable detection of the goods by the scanning unit is ensured. Labeling the overlay area simplifies the handling of the self-service checkout system for the customer.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung weist Detektoreinheit einen optischen Sensor zur berührungslosen Erfassung der hinteren Warenkante auf. Vorteilhaft gewährleistet die Verwendung eines optischen Sensors eine schnelle und zuverlässige Identifikation der hinteren Warenkante. Auf eine mechanische Berührung der Ware wird verzichtet mit der Folge, dass die Ware vor Beschädigung geschützt wird. Beispielsweise kann die Detektoreinheit ein Kamerasystem aufweisen, um die Ware zu erfassen und die hintere Warenkante über Mittel der Bildverarbeitung zu identifizieren.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector unit has an optical sensor for non-contact detection of the rear edge of the product. Advantageously, the use of an optical sensor ensures a fast and reliable identification of the rear edge of the product. On a mechanical touch of the goods is waived with the result that the goods are protected from damage. By way of example, the detector unit can have a camera system in order to detect the goods and to identify the rear edge of the product via means of image processing.

Nach einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung sind eine Mehrzahl von optischen Sensoren der Warenauflagefläche des Transportbands derart zugeordnet, dass mittels der Detektoreinheit ein die Warenauflagefläche überspannendes Lichtgitter gebildet wird, wobei eine Erfassungsebene des Lichtgitters im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Transportebene des Transportbands orientiert ist. Vorteilhaft kann durch das Vorsehen eines Lichtgitters die Lage der hinteren Warenkante nicht nur einmalig festgestellt, sondern während des gesamten Transports fortlaufend bzw. in Intervallen ermittelt werden. Zudem können mit Hilfe des Lichtgitters mehrere Waren gleichzeitig erfasst werden.According to a development of the invention, a plurality of optical sensors of the goods support surface of the conveyor belt are assigned such that means of the detector unit, the goods support surface spanning light grid is formed, wherein a detection plane of the light grid substantially parallel to a transport plane of the conveyor belt is oriented. Advantageously, the provision of a light grid, the position of the rear edge of the product not only determined once, but are determined during the entire transport continuously or at intervals. In addition, with the help of the light grid several goods can be detected simultaneously.

Die optischen Sensoren weisen zur Bildung des Lichtgitters beispielsweise jeweils eine Sende- und Empfangseinheit nach Art einer Lichtschranke auf. Das Lichtgitter ist vorteilhaft parallel zu der Transportebene des Transportbands orientiert, um Waren unabhängig von ihrer Lage auf dem Transportband und ihrer Größe, insbesondere Höhe, zuverlässig erfassen zu können.For example, the optical sensors each have a transmitting and receiving unit in the manner of a light barrier for forming the light grid. The light grid is advantageously oriented parallel to the transport plane of the conveyor belt to reliably detect goods regardless of their position on the conveyor belt and their size, in particular height.

Nach einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung weist die Markierungseinheit eine Mehrzahl von seitlich benachbart zu der Warenauflagefläche des Transportbands angeordnete, sich in die Transportrichtung erstreckenden Lichtquellen auf. Die Lichtquellen dienen dazu, die Auflagebereich bzw. die Sperrbereiche optisch zu kennzeichnen. Vorteilhaft wird das Auflegen der Waren auf die Transporteinheit für den Kunden besonders einfach, wenn die Auflagebereiche und Sperrbereiche visuell hervorgehoben und einfach zu erkennen sind. Durch das Vorsehen der Mehrzahl von in Transportrichtung benachbart zueinander angeordneten Lichtquellen können beispielsweise die Auflagebereiche ausgeleuchtet werden. Beispielsweise können die Lichtquellen unterschiedlich farbiges Licht ausstrahlen, um die die Auflagebereiche für den Kunden in einer ersten Farbe (z.B. grün) und die Sperrbereiche in einer zweiten Farbe (z.B. rot) zu beleuchten. Die Lichtquellen der Markierungseinheit können mit dem sich in Transportrichtung fortbewegenden Transportband mitbewegt werden oder der Transporteinheit ortsfest zugeordnet sein. Zur Lösung der Aufgabe ist die Erfindung in Verbindung mit dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 7 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine in die Transportrichtung gesehen hintere Warenkante der Waren sensorisch erfasst wird zur Bestimmung einer in Transportrichtung gesehen hinteren Stirnseite eines der Ware zugeordneten Auflagebereichs einerseits und einer vorderen Stirnseite eines für das Auflegen von Waren nicht freigegebenen Sperrbereichs der Warenauflagefläche andererseits, wobei zwei in Transportrichtung gesehen hintereinander liegende Auflagebereiche durch einen Sperrbereich voneinander getrennt werden.According to a development of the invention, the marking unit has a plurality of laterally adjacent to the goods support surface of the conveyor belt, extending in the transport direction light sources. The light sources serve to optically identify the support area or the blocking areas. Advantageously, placing the goods on the transport unit for the customer is particularly easy if the support areas and blocking areas are visually highlighted and easy to recognize. By providing the plurality of light sources adjacent to one another in the transport direction, for example, the support areas can be illuminated. For example, the light sources can emit differently colored light in order to illuminate the support areas for the customer in a first color (eg green) and the blocking areas in a second color (eg red). The light sources of the marking unit can with the in Moving direction to be moved moving conveyor belt or assigned to the transport unit stationary. To solve the problem, the invention is characterized in connection with the preamble of claim 7, characterized in that a rear edge of the goods seen in the transport direction of the goods is detected to determine a rear end face seen in the transport direction of the goods associated bearing area on the one hand and a front end of a for the placement of goods not released blocking area of the goods support surface on the other hand, wherein two seen in the transport direction successive support areas are separated by a blocking area from each other.

Der besondere Vorteil der Erfindung besteht darin, dass die Auflagebereiche eine variable, an die Lage und Größe der zu erfassenden Waren angepasste Länge erhalten. Durch die variable Länge können die Packdichte erhöht und der Warendurchsatz verbessert werden. Darüber hinaus kann vermieden werden, dass insbesondere große bzw. sperrige Waren über starr vorgegebene Grenzen der Auflagefläche hinausragen.The particular advantage of the invention is that the bearing areas receive a variable, adapted to the location and size of the goods to be detected length. Due to the variable length, the packing density can be increased and the goods throughput can be improved. In addition, it can be avoided that in particular large or bulky goods protrude beyond rigidly predetermined limits of the support surface.

Nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird der Sperrbereich mittels der Markierungseinheit angezeigt. Vorteilhaft erhält der Kunde visuelles Feedback sowohl zu den Grenzen der Auflagebereiche als auch zu den Grenzen der Sperrbereiche. Hierdurch wird die korrekte Auflage der Waren auf das Transportband weiter vereinfacht. Indem die Markierungseinheit die Lage der Auflagebereiche und die Lage der Sperrbereiche kennzeichnet, übernimmt die Markierungseinheit eine Doppelfunktion mit der Folge, dass die Gesamtlösung besonders günstig realisiert werden kann bzw. die zusätzliche Kennzeichnung der Sperrbereiche ohne nennenswerten Mehraufwand möglich wird.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocking area is indicated by means of the marking unit. Advantageously, the customer receives visual feedback both on the boundaries of the support areas and on the boundaries of the restricted areas. As a result, the correct circulation of goods on the conveyor belt is further simplified. By marking the position of the support areas and the position of the blocking areas, the marking unit assumes a dual function, with the result that the overall solution can be realized particularly low or the additional marking of the blocked areas is possible without significant additional effort.

Nach einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird die Lage der Auflagebereiche bzw. Sperrbereiche während des Transports fortwährend kenntlich gemacht zur Erzeugung einer dynamischen Auflage- und Sperrbereichsanzeige. Vorteilhaft wird hierdurch beispielsweise eine dynamische Visualisierung nach Art eines Lichtlaufbands möglich. Hierzu werden eine Mehrzahl von in Transportrichtung des Transportbands hintereinander angeordneten, vorzugsweise seitlich benachbart zu dem Transportband angeordneten Lichtquellen derart angesteuert, dass die Auflage- und Sperrbereiche nicht statisch angezeigt werden, sondern analog zur Transportgeschwindigkeit der Ware "wandern". Die bezogen auf den nicht mitbewegten Kunden dynamische Auflage- und Sperrbereichsanzeige vereinfacht die Handhabung und stellt sicher, dass die Auflagebereiche jederzeit angezeigt werden.According to a development of the invention, the position of the support areas or blocking areas during transport is continuously identified to produce a dynamic support and Sperrbereichsanzeige. Advantageously, this makes possible, for example, a dynamic visualization in the manner of a light strip. For this purpose, a plurality of arranged in the transport direction of the conveyor belt, preferably laterally adjacent to the conveyor belt arranged light sources are controlled such that the support and stop areas are not displayed statically, but "wander" analogous to the transport speed of the product. The dynamic support and locking range display, based on the non-moving customer, simplifies handling and ensures that the support areas are displayed at all times.

Weitere Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den weiteren Unteransprüchen.Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the further subclaims.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand der Figuren näher erläutert.Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1
ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Transporteinheit in einem ersten Betriebspunkt,
Figur 2
das erste Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur in einem zweiten Betriebspunkt,
Figur 3
ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Transporteinheit und
Figur 4
ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel der Transporteinheit.
Show it:
FIG. 1
A first embodiment of the transport unit according to the invention in a first operating point,
FIG. 2
the first embodiment of Figure in a second operating point,
FIG. 3
A second embodiment of the transport unit and
FIG. 4
a third embodiment of the transport unit.

Ein schematisch in einer Draufsicht dargestelltes Selbstbedienungskassensystem nach den Figuren 1 und 2 weist als wesentliche Komponenten eine Transporteinheit 1, eine Abtasteinheit 2, eine Markierungseinheit 3 und eine Detektoreinheit 4 auf. Derartige Selbstbedienungskassensysteme werden zunehmend im Einzelhandel genutzt, um die vom Kunden ausgewählten Waren automatisiert zu erfassen und die Kosten des Bezahlvorgangs zu reduzieren.A schematically illustrated in a plan view Selbstbedienungskassenensystem according to the Figures 1 and 2 has as essential components a transport unit 1, a scanning unit 2, a marking unit 3 and a detector unit 4. Such self-service checkout systems are increasingly used in the retail sector to automatically capture the goods selected by the customer and to reduce the cost of the payment process.

Die Abtasteinheit 2 ist exemplarisch nach Art eines Tunnelscanners aufgebaut. Sie dient dazu, die Oberfläche einer zu erfassenden Ware 5 berührungslos optisch abzutasten und insbesondere eine der Identifizierung der Ware 5 dienende Markierung zu erfassen. Die Abtasteinheit 2 weist zu diesem Zweck beispielsweise eine Mehrzahl von verteilt an einem sich torbogenförmig über die Transporteinheit 1 erstreckenden Gestell montierte Abtastmodule auf, mittels derer die Ware 5 gescannt wird. Typischerweise weist die Abtasteinheit 2 zudem ein weiteres, unterhalb der Transporteinheit 1 angeordnetes Abtastmodul auf, mittels dessen eine Auflagefläche der Ware 5, mit der die Ware 5 auf der Transporteinheit 1 aufliegt, durch eine Ausnehmung der Transporteinheit 1 hindurch optisch abgetastet werden kann.The scanning unit 2 is constructed by way of example in the manner of a tunnel scanner. It serves to optically scan the surface of a product 5 to be detected in a non-contact manner and, in particular, to detect a marking serving to identify the product 5. For this purpose, the scanning unit 2 has, for example, a multiplicity of scanning modules mounted distributed on a frame extending in the manner of an archway over the transport unit 1, by means of which the goods 5 are scanned. Typically, the scanning unit 2 also has a further, arranged below the transport unit 1 scanning module, by means of which a support surface of the goods 5, with the goods 5 rests on the transport unit 1, can be optically scanned through a recess of the transport unit 1.

Die Transporteinheit 1 weist als wesentliche Komponente ein Transportband 6 auf, welches vorzugsweise als Endlostransportband ausgebildet ist und dazu dient, die Ware 5 in eine Transportrichtung 7 der Abtasteinheit 2 zuzuführen. Weiterhin umfasst die Transporteinheit 1 ein exemplarisch als ein weiteres Transportband 8 ausgebildetes Transportmittel auf zum Abtransport der Ware 5 von der Abtasteinheit 2. Über das weitere Transportband 8 wird die Ware 5 einem nicht dargestellten Warensammelplatz zugeführt, an dem die erfasste Ware 5 dem Kunden zur Entnahme bereitgestellt wird.The transport unit 1 has as an essential component on a conveyor belt 6, which preferably as endless conveyor belt is formed and serves to supply the goods 5 in a transport direction 7 of the scanning unit 2. Furthermore, the transport unit 1 comprises a transport means configured as a further conveyor belt 8 for transporting the goods 5 from the scanning unit 2. Via the further conveyor belt 8, the goods 5 are supplied to a goods collecting station, not shown, where the captured goods 5 are removed by the customer provided.

Um Waren mittels der Abtasteinheit 2 zuverlässig erfassen zu können, müssen diese der Abtasteinheit 2 sequentiell zugeführt werden. Hierzu ist es notwendig, dass die Waren vereinzelt und beabstandet auf dem Transportband 6 aufgelegt werden. Um den Kunden bei der Vereinzelung der Waren zu unterstützen, ist die Detektoreinheit 4 vorgesehen. Mittels der Detektoreinheit 4 wird eine hintere Warenkante 9 der Ware 5 optisch erkannt. Die Detektoreinheit 4 weist eine Mehrzahl von optischen Sendeeinheiten 10 und optischen Empfangseinheiten 11 auf, welche nach Art einer Lichtschranke funktionieren und ein Lichtgitter 12 erzeugen. Je eine Sendeeinheit 10 und eine Empfangseinheit 11 definieren einen optischen Sensor der Detektoreinheit 4. Das Lichtgitter 12 erstreckt sich quer zur Transportrichtung 7 über das Transportband 6.In order to reliably detect goods by means of the scanning unit 2, they must be supplied to the scanning unit 2 sequentially. For this purpose, it is necessary that the goods isolated and spaced on the conveyor belt 6 are placed. In order to assist the customer in the separation of the goods, the detector unit 4 is provided. By means of the detector unit 4, a rear edge 9 of the goods 5 is visually recognized. The detector unit 4 has a plurality of optical transmission units 10 and optical reception units 11 which function in the manner of a light barrier and generate a light grid 12. Depending on a transmitting unit 10 and a receiving unit 11 define an optical sensor of the detector unit 4. The light grid 12 extends transversely to the transport direction 7 via the conveyor belt 6th

Die optischen Sende- und Empfangseinheiten 10, 11 sind auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Transportbands 6 seitlich benachbart zu demselben angeordnet und erstrecken sich in Transportrichtung 7 derart, dass das Lichtgitter 12 eine durch das Obertrum des Transportbands 6 definierte Warenauflagefläche 13 des Transportbands 6 vollständig überspannt. Eine Erfassungsebene des Lichtgitters ist hierbei im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Transportebene 14 des Transportbands 6 orientiert.The optical transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 are arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 6 laterally adjacent thereto and extend in the transport direction 7 such that the light grid 12 completely spans a defined by the upper strand of the conveyor belt 6 goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6. A detection plane of the light grid is here oriented substantially parallel to a transport plane 14 of the conveyor belt 6.

Die Markierungseinheit 3 wird durch eine Mehrzahl von seitlich benachbart zu der Warenauflagefläche 13 des Transportbands 6 angeordneten, sich in Transportrichtung 7 erstreckenden, ortsfest der Transporteinheit 1 zugeordneten Lichtquellen 17 gebildet. Die Markierungseinheit 3 dient dazu, eine Mehrzahl von für das Auflegen von Waren 5 bestimmte Auflagebereiche 15, 16 auf der Warenauflagefläche 13 visuell kenntlich zu machen. Beispielsweise können hierzu die den Auflagebereichen 15, 16 seitlich zugeordneten Lichtquellen 17 der Markierungseinheit 3 aktiviert werden. Für den Kunden ist damit in einfacher Weise erkennbar, an welcher Stelle die Ware 5 auf die Warenauflagefläche 13 des Transportbands 6 aufgelegt werden kann.The marking unit 3 is formed by a plurality of laterally adjacent to the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6, extending in the transport direction 7, fixed to the transport unit 1 associated light sources 17 formed. The marking unit 3 serves to visually identify a plurality of support areas 15, 16 intended for placing goods 5 on the goods support surface 13. For example, for this purpose, the support areas 15, 16 laterally associated light sources 17 of the marking unit 3 can be activated. For the customer is thus easily recognizable, at which point the goods 5 can be placed on the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6.

Die das Lichtgitter 12 erzeugenden Sende- und Empfangseinheiten 10, 11 der Detektoreinheit 4 sind ebenso wie die Lichtquellen 17 der Markierungseinheit 3 der Transporteinheit 1 ortsfest und seitlich benachbart zu dem Transportband 6 zugeordnet. Sende- und Empfangseinheiten 10, 11 und Lichtquellen 17 sind insbesondere zum Schutz vor mechanischen Belastungen und Verunreinigung bevorzugt in einer seitlichen Verkleidung 31 der Transporteinheit 1 integriert angeordnet. Die Verkleidung 31 kann zusätzliche Komponenten, insbesondere die bewegten Komponenten der Transporteinheit 1, vor dem Zugriff von außen schützen.The light and grating 12 generating transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 of the detector unit 4 are as well as the light sources 17 of the marking unit 3 of the transport unit 1 fixed and laterally adjacent to the conveyor belt 6 assigned. Transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 and light sources 17 are preferably integrated in a lateral cladding 31 of the transport unit 1, in particular for protection against mechanical loads and contamination. The cladding 31 may protect additional components, in particular the moving components of the transport unit 1, from being accessed from the outside.

Um die Warenidentifikation einerseits und die Kundenführung andererseits zu verbessern, sind zwei in Transportrichtung 7 benachbarte Auflagebereiche 15, 16 durch einen Sperrbereich 18 voneinander getrennt. Der Sperrbereich 18 weist eine vorzugsweise konstante Länge 19 auf und ist so bemessen, dass der Abtasteinheit 2 sequentiell zugeführte Waren zuverlässig erfasst werden können.In order to improve the goods identification on the one hand and the customer management on the other hand, two support regions 15, 16 adjacent in the transport direction 7 are separated from one another by a blocking region 18. The blocking region 18 has a preferably constant length 19 and is dimensioned so that the scanning unit 2 sequentially supplied goods can be reliably detected.

Die dem Sperrbereiche 18 seitlich zugeordneten Lichtquellen 17 sind nach dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung nicht aktiv, so dass der Kunde in einfacher Weise zwischen den Auflagebereich 15, 16 und dem Sperrbereiche 18 der Warenauflagefläche 13 unterscheiden kann.The blocking regions 18 laterally associated light sources 17 are not active according to the present embodiment of the invention, so that the customer can easily distinguish between the support area 15, 16 and the blocking areas 18 of the goods support surface 13.

Um den Warendurchsatz und die Packdichte der Waren 5 zu erhöhen, weisen die Auflagebereiche 15, 16 eine variable Länge 20, 21 auf. Zur Bestimmung der von der Lage der Ware 5 auf dem Transportband 6 und der Größe der Ware 5 abhängigen, aufgrund der Transportbewegung zeitveränderlichen Länge 20, 21 der Auflagebereiche 15, 16 arbeitet eine nicht dargestellte Steuereinheit mit der Markierungseinheit 3 und der Detektoreinheit 4 zusammen. Die mittels der Detektoreinheit 4 detektierte hintere Warenkante 9 definiert sowohl die in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen hintere Stirnseite 22 des in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen vorderen Warenauflagebereichs 15 als auch die in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen vordere Stirnseite 23 des den vorderen Auflagebereich 15 von einem in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen hinteren Auflagebereich 16 trennenden Sperrbereichs 18. Auf diese Weise ist gewährleistet, dass der vordere Auflagebereich 15 eine bei gegebener Lage der Ware 5 minimale Länge 21 aufweist und sich unmittelbar an den Auflagebereich 15 der Sperrbereich 18 anschließt. Die hintere Warenkante 9 einerseits und die hintere Stirnseite 22 des vorderen Auflagebereichs 15 bzw. die vordere Stirnseite 23 des Sperrbereichs 18 andererseits können abweichend von der Prinzipdarstellung nach den Figuren 1 und 2 zueinander beabstandet sein, insbesondere einen Abstand von 5 cm oder weniger aufweisen.In order to increase the goods throughput and the packing density of the goods 5, the bearing areas 15, 16 have a variable length 20, 21. For determining the position of the goods 5 on the conveyor belt 6 and the size of the goods 5 dependent, due to the transport movement time variable length 20, 21 of the support areas 15, 16, a control unit, not shown, works together with the marking unit 3 and the detector unit 4. The detected by means of the detector unit 4 rear edge of the product 9 defines both seen in the direction of transport 7 rear end 22 of the front in the transport direction 7 Warenauflagebereichs 15 and seen in the transport direction 7 front end face 23 of the front support area 15 of a seen in the transport direction 7 rear support area In this way, it is ensured that the front support area 15 has a minimum length 21 for a given position of the goods 5, and the blocking area 18 adjoins the support area 15 directly. The rear web edge 9 on the one hand and the rear end face 22 of the front support area 15 and the front end face 23 of the blocking area 18 on the other hand can deviate from the schematic representation of the characters 1 and 2 spaced apart, in particular have a distance of 5 cm or less.

Wie dargestellt ändern sich die Position und die Länge 20, 21 der Auflagebereiche 15, 16 während des Transports der Ware 5. Um die Auflagebereiche 15, 16 und den Sperrbereich 18 auch während des Transports der Ware 5 dynamisch visualisieren zu können, steuert die Steuereinheit die Lichtquellen 17 dynamisch an und erzeugt auf diese Weise ein Lichtlaufband zur dynamischen Auflagebereichs- und Sperrbereichsanzeige.As shown, the position and the length change 20, 21 of the support areas 15, 16 during the transport of the goods 5. In order to visualize the support areas 15, 16 and the blocking area 18 also during the transport of the goods 5, the control unit controls the Light sources 17 dynamically and generates in this way a light strip for dynamic Auflagebereichs- and Sperrbereichsanzeige.

Exemplarisch zeigt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 3 das Transportband 6 mit der ersten Ware 5 und einer zweiten Ware 24. Die zweite Ware 24 wird von dem Kunden an einer beliebigen Stelle auf den hinteren Auflagebereich 16 aufgelegt. Die Detektoreinheit 4 identifiziert eine hintere Warenkante 25 der zweiten Ware 24 in bekannter Weise. Der in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen hintere Auflagebereich 16 wird durch die hintere Warenkante 25 der zweiten Ware 24 begrenzt. An den hinteren Auflagebereich 16 schließt sich ein weiterer Sperrbereich 26 an.Exemplary shows a second embodiment after FIG. 3 the conveyor belt 6 with the first product 5 and a second product 24. The second product 24 is placed by the customer at any point on the rear support area 16. The detector unit 4 identifies a rear edge 25 of the second product 24 in a known manner. The rear support area 16 seen in the transport direction 7 is delimited by the rear edge 25 of the second product 24. At the rear support portion 16, another locking portion 26 connects.

Gleiche Bauteile und Bauteilfunktionen der alternativen Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung sind mit den gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen.The same components and component functions of the alternative embodiments of the invention are provided with the same reference numerals.

Nach dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung weist die Markierungseinheit 3 Lichtquellen 17 auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Transportbands 6 auf. Durch das Vorsehen von Lichtquellen 17 auf beiden Seiten des Transportbands 6 wird die Visualisierung der Auflagebereiche 15, 16 und der Sperrbereiche 18 verbessert. Beispielsweise können Waren von beiden Längsseiten auf das Transportband 6 aufgelegt werden.According to the second embodiment of the invention, the marking unit 3 has light sources 17 on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 6. By providing light sources 17 on both sides of the conveyor belt 6, the visualization of the support areas 15, 16 and the stopper areas 18 is improved. For example, goods can be placed on the conveyor belt 6 from both sides.

Selbstverständlich können mehr als zwei Waren 5, 24 zeitgleich auf die Warenauflagefläche 13 des Transportbands 6 aufgelegt und der Abtasteinheit 2 zugeführt werden. Die Packdichte der Transporteinheit 1 ist begrenzt durch die Anzahl der Waren 5, 24, die Länge 19 der Sperrbereiche 18, 26 sowie die Lage der Waren 5, 24 in den Auflagebereichen 15, 16. Eine maximale Packdichte wäre erreicht, wenn die Auflagebereiche 15, 16 eine minimale Länge aufweisen, das heißt wenn eine vordere Warenkante 32 der zweiten Ware 24 unmittelbar an eine hintere Stirnseite 33 des in Transportrichtung 7 gesehen vorderen Sperrbereichs 18 angrenzt. Die Länge des hinteren Auflagebereichs 16 ist dann durch die Länge der zweiten Ware 24 definiert.Of course, more than two goods 5, 24 placed simultaneously on the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6 and the scanning unit 2 are supplied. The packing density of the transport unit 1 is limited by the number of goods 5, 24, the length 19 of the blocking areas 18, 26 and the position of the goods 5, 24 in the support areas 15, 16. A maximum packing density would be achieved if the support areas 15, 16 have a minimum length, that is, when a front edge of the product 32 32 of the second product 24 directly adjacent to a rear end face 33 of the front in the transport direction 7 blocking area 18. The length of the rear support region 16 is then defined by the length of the second product 24.

Nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung gemäß Figur 4 weist die Markierungseinheit 3 ein Projektionsmodul 29 auf. Das Projektionsmodul 29, welches exemplarisch im Bereich der Abtasteinheit 2 angeordnet ist, dient dazu, eine den Sperrbereich 18 kennzeichnende Markierung 30 auf die Warenauflagefläche 13 des Transportbands 6 zu projizieren. Der Kunde erkennt anhand der Markierung 30, dass dieser Bereich nicht für das Auflegen von Waren 5, 24 vorgesehen ist. Auf die Darstellung des Lichtgitters 12 ist allein aus Gründen der Übersichtlichkeit verzichtet worden.According to a third embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 4 the marking unit 3 has a projection module 29. The projection module 29, which is arranged by way of example in the region of the scanning unit 2, serves to project a marking 30 characterizing the blocking region 18 onto the goods support surface 13 of the conveyor belt 6. The customer recognizes by means of the marking 30 that this area is not intended for the placement of goods 5, 24. The illustration of the light grid 12 has been omitted for reasons of clarity alone.

Statt eine Markierung 30 im Bereich des Sperrbereichs 18 zu projizieren, kann mittels des Projektionsmoduls 29 der jeweils nächste Auflagebereich (hintere Auflagebereich 16) hervorgehoben werden.Instead of projecting a marking 30 in the region of the blocking region 18, the respectively next contact region (rear supporting region 16) can be emphasized by means of the projection module 29.

Die Detektoreinheit 4 weist lediglich exemplarisch eine Mehrzahl von in Transportrichtung 7 benachbart zueinander angeordneten Sende- und Empfangseinheiten 10, 11 zum Aufbau des Lichtgitters 12 auf. Alternativ kann jeder geeignete Sensor, insbesondere jeder geeignete optische Sensor, zur Detektion der hinteren Warenkante 9, 25 verwendet werden. Beispielsweise kann eine kameragestützte Detektoreinheit 4 vorgesehen werden, wobei die hinteren Warenkanten 9, 25 mittels Bildverarbeitung identifiziert werden.By way of example only, the detector unit 4 has a plurality of transmitting and receiving units 10, 11 arranged adjacent to one another in the transport direction 7 for constructing the light grid 12. Alternatively, any suitable sensor, in particular any suitable optical sensor, can be used to detect the rear edge 9, 25 of the product. For example, a camera-supported detector unit 4 can be provided, wherein the rear edges of the goods 9, 25 are identified by means of image processing.

BezugszeichenlisteLIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11
Transporteinheittransport unit
22
Abtasteinheitscanning
33
Markierungseinheitmarking unit
44
Detektoreinheitdetector unit
55
WareWould
66
Transportbandconveyor belt
77
Transportrichtungtransport direction
88th
weiteres Transportbandanother conveyor belt
99
hintere Warenkanterear edge of the product
1010
optische Sendeeinheitoptical transmission unit
1111
optische Empfangseinheitoptical receiving unit
1212
Lichtgitterlight Curtain
1313
WarenauflageflächeGoods bearing surface
1414
Transportebenetransport plane
1515
Auflagebereichsupport area
1616
Auflagebereichsupport area
1717
Lichtquellelight source
1818
Sperrbereichstopband
1919
Längelength
2020
Längelength
2121
Längelength
2222
hintere Stirnseiterear end face
2323
vordere Stirnseitefront end
2424
zweite Waresecond product
2525
hintere Warenkanterear edge of the product
2626
weiterer Sperrbereichfurther restricted area
2727
vordere Stirnseitefront end
2828
hintere Stirnseiterear end face
2929
Projektionsmodulprojection module
3030
Markierungmark
3131
Verkleidungpaneling
3232
vordere Warenkantefront edge of the product
3333
hintere Stirnseiterear end face

Claims (10)

Transporteinheit zum Zuführen von Waren zu einer Abtasteinheit eines Selbstbedienungskassensystems mit einem Transportband zum Transportieren der Ware in eine Transportrichtung und mit einer dem Transportband zugeordneten Markierungseinheit zur Kennzeichnung von für das Auflegen von Waren freigegebenen Auflagebereichen auf einer Warenauflagefläche des Transportbands, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dem Transportband (6) eine Detektoreinheit (4) zur Erfassung einer in Transportrichtung (7) gesehen hinteren Warenkante (9, 25) der Waren (5, 24) zugeordnet ist, und dass eine Steuereinheit derart mit der Markierungseinheit (3) und der Detektoreinheit (4) zusammenwirkt, dass zwischen einen im Transportrichtung (7) gesehen vorderen Auflagebereich (15) und einem in Transportrichtung (7) gesehen hinteren Auflagebereich (16) ein für das Auflegen von Waren (5, 24) nicht freigegebener Sperrbereich (18) ausgebildet wird, wobei dessen in Transportrichtung (7) gesehen vordere Stirnseite (23) durch die hintere Warenkante (9) der auf dem vorderen Auflagebereich (15) zugeordneten Ware (5) definiert ist.Transport unit for feeding goods to a scanning unit of a self-service cash register system with a conveyor belt for transporting the goods in a transport direction and with a marking unit assigned to the conveyor belt for marking of goods released for placing pads on a goods support surface of the conveyor belt, characterized in that the conveyor belt ( 6) a detector unit (4) for detecting a transport edge (7) seen rear product edge (9, 25) of the goods (5, 24) is assigned, and that a control unit in such a way with the marking unit (3) and the detector unit (4) cooperates, that between a in the transport direction (7) seen front support area (15) and in the transport direction (7) rear support area (16) for the placement of goods (5, 24) not released blocking area (18) is formed, wherein whose seen in the transport direction (7) front end face (23) by d The rear web edge (9) of the front support area (15) associated with the product (5) is defined. Transporteinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Detektoreinheit (4) einen optischen Sensor (Sendeeinheit 10, Empfangseinheit 11) zur berührungsfreien Erfassung der hinteren Warenkante (9, 25) aufweist.Transport unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the detector unit (4) has an optical sensor (transmitting unit 10, receiving unit 11) for non-contact detection of the rear edge of the product (9, 25). Transporteinheit nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Mehrzahl von optischen Sensoren (Sendeeinheit 10, Empfangseinheit 11) der Warenauflagefläche (13) des Transportbands (6) derart zugeordnet sind, dass mittels der Detektoreinheit (4) ein die Warenauflagefläche (13) überspannendes Lichtgitter (12) gebildet wird, wobei eine Erfassungsebene des Lichtgitters (12) im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Transportebene (14) des Transportbands (6) orientiert ist.Transport unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of optical sensors (transmitting unit 10, receiving unit 11) of the goods support surface (13) of the conveyor belt (6) are assigned such that a light grating (12) spanning the goods support surface (13) is formed by means of the detector unit (4), wherein a detection plane of the light grille (12) is substantially parallel to a transport plane (14). of the conveyor belt (6) is oriented. Transporteinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Markierungseinheit (3) eine Mehrzahl von seitlich benachbart zu der Warenauflagefläche (13) des Transportbands (6) angeordneten, sich in Transportrichtung (7) erstreckenden Lichtquellen (17) aufweist, mittels derer die Auflagebereiche (15, 16) und/oder die Sperrbereiche (18, 26) kennzeichenbar sind.Transport unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the marking unit (3) has a plurality of laterally adjacent to the goods support surface (13) of the conveyor belt (6), in the transport direction (7) extending light sources (17), by means of which the bearing areas (15, 16) and / or the blocking areas (18, 26) are identifiable. Transporteinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sensoren (Sendeeinheit 10, Empfangseinheit 11) der Detektoreinheit (4) und/oder die Lichtquellen (17) der Markierungseinheit (3) in einem dem Transportband (6) seitlich zugeordneten, sich in die Transportrichtung (7) erstreckenden Anbauteil (Verkleidung 31) integriert angeordnet sind.Transport unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensors (transmitting unit 10, receiving unit 11) of the detector unit (4) and / or the light sources (17) of the marking unit (3) in a the conveyor belt (6) laterally assigned, are arranged integrally in the transport direction (7) extending attachment (cladding 31). Transporteinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Markierungseinheit (3) ein Projektionsmodul (29) aufweist zum Projizieren einer den Sperrbereich (18) kennzeichnenden Markierung (30) auf die Warenauflagefläche (13).Transport unit according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the marking unit (3) has a projection module (29) for projecting a marking (30) characterizing the blocking region (18) onto the goods support surface (13). Verfahren zur Unterteilung einer Warenauflagefläche eines zum Transport von Waren dienenden Transportbands einer Transporteinheit in eine Mehrzahl von für das Auflegen von Waren freigegebene, in einer Transportrichtung der Transporteinheit hintereinander angeordnete Auflagebereiche, wobei die einzelnen Auflagebereiche mittels einer Markierungseinheit kenntlich gemacht werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine in die Transportrichtung (7) gesehen hintere Warenkante (9, 25) der Waren (5, 24) sensorisch erfasst wird zur Bestimmung einer in Transportrichtung (7) gesehen hinteren Stirnseite (22, 28) eines der Ware (5, 24) zugeordneten Auflagebereichs (15, 16) einerseits und einer vorderen Stirnseite (23, 27) eines für das Auflegen von Waren (5, 24) nicht freigegebenen Sperrbereichs (18, 26) der Warenauflagefläche (13) andererseits, wobei zwei in Transportrichtung (7) gesehen hintereinander liegende Auflagebereiche (15, 16) durch einen Sperrbereich (18, 26) voneinander getrennt werden.A method for subdividing a goods support surface of a transport belt for transporting a transport unit into a plurality of for the Laying goods released, arranged in succession in a transport direction of the transport unit support areas, the individual support areas are marked by a marking unit, characterized in that in the transport direction (7) seen rear edge of the goods (9, 25) of the goods (5, 24 ) is sensory detected to determine a in the transport direction (7) seen rear end side (22, 28) of the goods (5, 24) associated bearing area (15, 16) on the one hand and a front end face (23, 27) one for the laying of Goods (5, 24) not released blocking area (18, 26) of the goods support surface (13) on the other hand, wherein seen in the transport direction (7) successive support areas (15, 16) by a blocking area (18, 26) are separated from each other. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sperrbereich (18) mittels der Markierungseinheit (3) kenntlich gemacht wird.A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the blocking area (18) by means of the marking unit (3) is identified. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lage der Auflagebereiche (15, 16) und/oder der Sperrbereiche (18, 26) während des Transports der Waren (5, 24) fortwährend kenntlich gemacht wird zur Erzeugung einer dynamischen Auflage- und Sperrbereichsanzeige.A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the position of the support areas (15, 16) and / or the blocking areas (18, 26) during transport of the goods (5, 24) is continuously identified to produce a dynamic support and lockout area display. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die hintere Warenkante (9, 25) optisch erfasst und/oder der Sperrbereich (18, 26) und/oder der Auflagebereich (15, 16) optisch kenntlich gemacht werden.Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the rear web edge (9, 25) optically detected and / or the blocking area (18, 26) and / or the support area (15, 16) are made visually recognizable.
EP11009451.3A 2011-01-11 2011-11-30 Transport unit and method for operating the same Active EP2474956B1 (en)

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US20130105272A1 (en) 2013-05-02
US8960409B2 (en) 2015-02-24
DE102011000087A1 (en) 2012-07-12
EP2474956B1 (en) 2018-02-28

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