Checkout apparatus

Abstract

A checkout apparatus comprises a reading section for reading article codes of articles, and a first feeding section for feeding the articles whose article code are read by the reading section. The checkout apparatus further comprises a distributing section for distributing the articles fed from the first feeding section to one of first and second directions, a second feeding section for feeding the articles distributed in the first direction by the distributing section to a packaging area, a stock section for stocking the articles distributed in the second direction by the distributing section within a stock area separated from the packaging area, and a processing section for checking whether or not an article fed by the first feeding section coincides with an article whose article code is read by the reading section, and for controlling the distributing section so as to distribute the article fed from the first feeding section in the first direction when the checked articles are coincident with each other and in the second direction when the checked articles are not coincident with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A checkout apparatus comprising: reading means for reading article codes of articles;   first feeding means for feeding the articles whose article codes are read by said reading means;   distributing means for distributing the articles fed from said first feeding means to one of first and second directions;   stock means for stocking the articles distributed in the second direction by said distributing means;   second feeding means for feeding the articles distributed in the first direction by said distributing means to a packaging area spaced from said stock means; and   processing means for checking whether or not an article fed by said first feeding means coincides with an article whose article code is read by said reading means, and for controlling said distributing means so as to distribute an article fed from said first feeding means in the first direction when the checked articles coincide with each other and in the second direction when the checked articles do not coincide with each other;   wherein said second feeding means is positioned to define a customer's path set back from said stock means.   
     
     
       2. A checkout apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing means includes settlement means for effecting sales registration with respect to articles whose article codes are read by said reading means and which are fed into said packaging area, and to articles whose article codes are not read by said reading means and which are fed to said stock area. 
     
     
       3. A checkout apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said stock means includes feeding means arranged in parallel with said second feeding means, for feeding articles moved from said distributing means to said stock area. 
     
     
       4. A checkout apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said stock area is set near said settlement means. 
     
     
       5. A checkout apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stock means further includes gating means for permitting articles which reach said stock area to be moved into said second feeding means. 
     
     
       6. A checkout apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reading means includes first and second scanners each for reading article codes in the form of bar codes; said first feeding means includes first and second feed-in conveyors for feeding articles whose article codes are read by said first and second scanners; said distributing means includes first and second distributing conveyors for distributing articles fed from said first and second feed-in conveyors to one of said first and second directions; said second feeding means includes first and second feed-out conveyors for feeding articles distributed in said first direction by said first and second distributing conveyors; and said settlement means is disposed near said packaging area between said first and second feed-out conveyors. 
     
     
       7. A checkout apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said stock means further includes first and second stock conveyors disposed between said first and second feed-out conveyors, for feeding articles distributed in said second direction by said first and second distributing conveyors. 
     
     
       8. A checkout apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said settlement means includes memory means for storing article data of articles, and registering means for detecting that an article whose article code is read by said reading means coincides with an article fed by said first feeding means and for registering the article based on the article data read out from said memory means in accordance with the article code. 
     
     
       9. A checkout apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said registering means includes additional registration means for reading article codes of articles stocked in said stock area and for registering the stocked articles based on the article data read out from said memory means in accordance with the article codes. 
     
     
       10. A checkout apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said memory means includes a first memory; and said settlement means includes means for detecting the characteristic of articles fed by said first feeding means, and comparing means for comparing output data of said detecting means with characteristic data included in article data which is read out from said first memory in accordance with the article code read by said reading means. 
     
     
       11. A checkout apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first memory stores weight data as said characteristic data, and said detecting means includes weighing means for measuring the weight of articles fed by said first feeding means. 
     
     
       12. A checkout apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first memory stores shape data as said characteristic data, and said detecting means includes sensor means for measuring the shape of articles fed by said first feeding means. 
     
     
       13. A checkout apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said memory means includes a second memory for storing article data which is read out from said first memory in accordance with said the article code read by said reading means; and said comparing means includes checking means for searching said second memory for the same characteristic data as output data of said detecting means. 
     
     
       14. A checkout apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said registering means includes deleting means for adding time data to article data of an article to be stored in said second memory, said time data indicating the time at which the article code of the article is read, and for deleting article data kept stored in said second memory for a present period after reading of the article code. 
     
     
       15. A checkout apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first feeding means includes a first feed-in conveyor for feeding articles whose article codes are read by said reading means, and a second feed-in conveyor for feeding articles moved from said first feed-in conveyor; said weighing means is disposed at a position corresponding to said second feed-in conveyor; and said processing means includes control means for stopping said first feed-in conveyor while an article is fed by said second conveyor. 
     
     
       16. A checkout apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said checking means includes means for deleting the article data corresponding to the same characteristic data from said second memory after the registration is effected based on the article data. 
     
     
       17. A checkout apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said checking means includes means for deleting all the article data stored in said second memory after registration is effected with respect to all the articles whose article codes are read. 
     
     
       18. A checkout apparatus comprising: reading means for reading article codes of articles;   first feeding means for feeding the articles whose article codes are read by said reading means;   distributing means for distributing the articles fed from said first feeding means to one of first and second directions;   second feeding means for feeding the articles distributed in the first direction by said distributing means to a packaging area;   stock means for stocking the articles distributed in the second direction by said distributing means within a stock area separated from the packaging area; and   processing means for checking whether or not an article fed by said first feeding means coincides with an article whose article code is read by said reading means, and for controlling said distributing means so as to distribute an article fed from said first feeding means in the first direction when the checked articles are coincident with each other and in the second direction when the checked articles are not coincident with each other;   said processing means including settlement means for effecting sales registration with respect to articles whose article codes are read by said reading means and which are fed into said packaging area, and to articles whose article codes are not read by said reading means and which are fed to said stock area;   said stock means further including feeding means arranged with said second feeding means, for feeding articles moved from said distributing means to said stock area;   said stock area being arranged near said settlement means; and   said stock means including gating means for permitting articles which reach said stock area to be moved into said second feeding means.   
     
     
       19. A checkout apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said reading means includes first and second scanners each for reading article codes in the form of bar codes said first feeding means includes first and second feed-in conveyors for feeding articles whose article codes are read by said first and second scanners; said distributing means includes first and second distributing conveyors for distributing articles fed from said first and second feed-in conveyors to one of said first and second directions; said second feeding means includes first and second feed-out conveyors for feeding articles distributed in said first direction by said first and second distributing conveyors; and said settlement means is disposed near sad packaging area between said first and second feed-out conveyors. 
     
     
       20. A checkout apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said stock means further includes first and second stock conveyors disposed between said first and second feedout conveyors, for feeding articles distributed in said second direction by said first and second distributing conveyors. 
     
     
       21. A checkout apparatus comprising: reading means for reading article codes of articles;   first feeding means for feeding the articles whose article codes are read by said reading means;   distributing means for distributing the articles fed from said first feeding means to one of first and second directions;   second feeding means for feeding the articles distributed in the first direction by said distributing means to a packaging area;   stock means for stocking the articles distributed in the second direction by said distributing means within a stock area separated from the packaging area; and   processing means for checking whether or not an article fed by said first feeding means coincides with an article whose article code is read by said reading means, and for controlling said distributing means so as to distribute the article fed from said first feeding means in the first direction when the checked articles are coincident with each other and in the second direction when the checked articles are not coincident with each other;   said processing means including settlement means for effecting sales registration with respect to articles whose article codes are read by said reading means and which are fed into said packaging area, and to articles whose article codes are not read by said reading means and which are fed to said stock area; and   said settlement means including memory means for storing article data of articles, and registering means for detecting that an article whose article code is read by said reading means coincides with an article fed by said first feeding means and for registering the article based on the article data read out from said memory means in accordance with the article code; said registering means including additional registration means for reading article codes of articles stocked in said stock area and for registering the stocked articles based on the article data read out from said memory means in accordance with the article codes.   
     
     
       22. A checkout apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said memory means includes a first memory; and said settlement means includes means for detecting means for detecting the characteristic of articles fed by said first feeding means, and comparing means for comparing output data of said detecting means with characteristic data included in article data which is read out from said first memory in accordance with the article code read by said reading means. 
     
     
       23. A checkout apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first memory stores weight data as said characteristic data, and said detecting means includes weighing means for measuring the weight of articles fed by said first feeding means. 
     
     
       24. A checkout apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first memory stores shape data as said characteristic data, and said detecting means includes sensor means for measuring the shape of articles fed by said first feeding means. 
     
     
       25. A checkout apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said memory means includes a second memory for storing article data which is read out from said first memory in accordance with said the article code read by said reading means; and said comparing means includes checking means for searching said second memory for the same characteristic data as output data of said detecting means. 
     
     
       26. A checkout apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said registering means includes deleting means for adding time data to article data of an article to be stored in said second memory, said time data indicating the time at which the article code of the article is read, and for deleting article data kept stored in said second memory for a present period after reading of the article code. 
     
     
       27. A checkout apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said first feeding means includes a first feeding conveyor for feeding articles whose article codes are read by said reading means, and a second feed-in conveyor for feeding articles moved from said first feed-in conveyor, said weighing means is disposed at a position corresponding to said second feed-in conveyor; and said processing means includes control means for stopping said first feed-in conveyor while an article is fed by said second conveyor. 
     
     
       28. A checkout apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said checking means includes means for deleting the article data corresponding to the same characteristic data from said second memory after the registration is effected based on the article data. 
     
     
       29. A checkout apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said checking means includes means for deleting all the article data stored in said second memory after registration is effected with respect to all the articles whose article codes are read. .Iadd. 
     
     
       30.  A checkout apparatus comprising: first and second checkout lanes each having reading means for reading article codes of articles, and feeding means for feeding articles the respective article codes of which have been read by said reading means;   a single settlement means disposed between said first and second checkout lanes and spaced from said reading means in a downstream direction of said feeding means, for commonly performing a first settlement process on the article codes read by the reading means of said first checkout lane and a second settlement process on the article codes read by the reading means of said second checkout lane;   a space sized to accommodate an operator therein, and defined between said first and second checkout lanes adjacent said single settlement means, such that the reading means in said first and second checkout lanes are both simultaneously observable from said space and such that an operator can perform a settlement operation on articles transported thereto by the feeding means in both of said first and second checkout lanes without moving from said space. .Iaddend..Iadd.31. A checkout apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said first and second checkout lanes are parallel to each other. .Iaddend..Iadd.32. A checkout apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said settlement means includes a cash register having keyboard means for entering various commands and data, drawer means for receiving cash, and control means for controlling the keyboard means and the drawer means, wherein at least one of said keyboard means, said drawer means and said control means is commonly used for said settlement operation on articles in said first and second checkout lanes. .Iaddend.