Sales transaction terminal device

• US 6,629,636 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2000
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Muto, Kanji, Arai, Ichiro, Hayashi, Kiyotsugu, Nakajima, Akira, Kato, Teruo
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/624,768
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/383, 235/379
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/04 Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/01 Details for indicating displaying information in general G09F, G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00

Abstract

A sales transaction terminal device includes an L-shaped terminal body 101 with an exhibition spot 122 opened to the customer side so that customers can take a look at a commodity sample 123 on a commodity table 101a. A body 203 of an operator display unit 204 is rotatably supported about a shaft 202 which is provided at an upper part of the operator side of the L-shaped terminal body 101. This arrangement makes it possible to optimize the angle of the operator display unit 204 according to the eye position of each operator.

Claims

1. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a customer side and an operator side with a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to said customer side, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit attached to said operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order wherein

said operator display unit and said exhibition spot are disposed in a back-to-back relationship to each other, and

said terminal body is placeable on a shop counter where said sales transaction is performed.

2. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said operator display unit is rotatably hinged about a shaft provided at an upper part of the operator side of said terminal body so that an angle of said operator display unit is adjustable.

3. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a cover casing is provided to cover said exhibition spot, and said cover casing is transparent at a portion facing the customer.

4. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said terminal body is an L-shaped terminal body comprising a plurality of casings which cooperatively surround a frame body on which a circuit board is installable, and said operator display unit is rotatably provided at the operator side of said terminal body.

5. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a media card reader is provided at the operator side of said terminal body at a portion where said media card reader does not interfere with said operator display unit.

6. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said media card reader is slidable in a back-and-forth direction in response to an angular adjustment of said operator display unit.

7. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said media card reader is equipped with a wireless communication device so that the position of said media card reader can be flexibly changeable.

8. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a customer display unit provided at the customer side of said terminal body opposed to said operator side.

9. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said customer display unit has a display screen extending beyond a table of said exhibition spot.

10. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said customer display unit is equipped with a data input device for allowing customers to select or enter their orders by themselves.

11. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said customer display unit is detachable from said terminal body.

12. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein an angle of said customer display unit is adjustable.

13. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said customer display unit is exchangeable so that the size of said customer display unit is flexibly selectable from a plurality of types.

14. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein a slide mechanism is provided to adjust a vertical position of said customer display unit.

15. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein a universal joint linkage is used to connect said customer display unit to said terminal body.

16. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 8, wherein an arm linkage coupled by a plurality of elastic friction rings is interposed between said customer display unit and said terminal body.

17. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration.

18. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body is an L-shaped terminal body comprising a horizontal portion and a vertical portion which cooperatively constitute an L-shaped configuration, said horizontal portion having a top surface serving as a commodity table and said vertical portion having a wall cooperating with said top surface of said horizontal portion to form said exhibition spot,

said vertical portion is rotatable about a shaft of a hinge provided at a corner of said horizontal portion and said vertical portion,

a lock member is provided for fixing said vertical portion to said horizontal portion so that said vertical portion is held in a standing position, and

said vertical portion is foldable about said shaft of said hinge and lies on said horizontal portion when said lock member is unlocked.

19. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing, an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body is an L-shaped terminal body comprising a horizontal portion and a vertical portion which cooperatively constitute an L-shaped configuration, said horizontal portion having a top surface serving as a commodity table and said vertical portion having a wall cooperating with said top surface of said horizontal portion to form said exhibition spot, and

said vertical portion is detachable from said horizontal portion so as to be hung on a wall.

20. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body is an L-shaped terminal body comprising a platelike horizontal portion and a vertical portion which cooperatively constitute an L-shaped configuration, said platelike horizontal portion having a top surface serving as a commodity table and said vertical portion having a wall cooperating with said top surface of said platelike horizontal portion to form said exhibition spot,

said platelike horizontal portion is foldable about a hinge member provided between said horizontal portion and said vertical portion, so that said sales transaction terminal device can be used in a first position where said platelike horizontal portion is unfolded about said hinge member to place said sales transaction terminal device on a horizontal surface with said vertical portion being held at a standing position, and

can be used in a second position where said platelike horizontal portion is folded about said hinge member to hang said sales transaction terminal device on a wall.

21. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body is an L-shaped terminal body comprising a standing portion supporting said operator display unit and a base portion supporting said standing portion so as to form at least part of said exhibition spot of said terminal body.

22. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

a roof is provided on a top of said terminal body.

23. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has a lying U-shaped configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said lying U-shaped configuration, and

said operator display unit is provided at an operator side of said lying U-shaped terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed.

24. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration,

a customer display unit is provided at the customer side of said terminal body opposed to said operator side, and

said customer display unit extends upward beyond an upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of said terminal body to hold a cover casing in said exhibition casing space while allowing said cover casing to slide in a direction normal to the customer side.

25. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 24, wherein

said cover casing is an elastically deformable casing having a projection, and

a recess engageable with said projection of said cover casing is formed on a surface of said terminal body, so that said projection and said recess cooperatively form a slide-in and click-stop mechanism for said cover casing.

26. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer body for places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration,

a customer display unit is provided at the customer side of said terminal body opposed to said operator side,

said customer display unit extends upward beyond an upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of said terminal body to hold a cover casing in said exhibition casing space,

a bent portion is provided at each side of said customer display unit so as to serve as a stopper for preventing said cover casing from sliding, and

said customer display unit is slidable in an up-and-down direction along a surface of said terminal body, so that said cover casing can be removed at said customer side.

27. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having, an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body or allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer body for places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration,

a customer display unit is provided at the customer side of said terminal body opposed to said operator side,

said customer display unit extends upward beyond an upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of said terminal body to hold a lower end of an advertisement plate at a rear side of said customer display unit, and

a protruding portion is provided on a top of said terminal body to hold an upper portion of said advertisement plate leaning at a predetermined angle.

28. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration,

a cover casing is placed in said exhibition casing space,

a protruding portion is formed at an upper end of said cover casing to hold an advertisement plate between said protruding portion and a top body provided on said terminal body, and

said top body has an inclined surface for receiving said advertisement plate.

29. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding, to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

a small camera is provided on a predetermined position at the operator side of said terminal body so that said small camera can take a photo of an operator, and

a printer is provided to produce a photo of the operator printed on a receipt or a note produced as a result of the sales transaction.

30. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

a small camera is provided on a predetermined position at the customer side of said terminal body so that said small camera can take a photo of a customer, and

a printer is provided to produce a photo of the customer printed on a receipt or a note produced as a result of the sales transaction.

31. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 30, wherein said small camera is operable by a foot switch provided in a foot area of the operator.

32. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 30, wherein said small camera is operable by a touch switch attached to an article worn by the operator.

33. A sales transaction terminal device comprising:

a terminal body having a recessed configuration when seen from its side, said terminal body having an exhibition spot opened to a customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition spot corresponding to said recessed configuration, and

an operator display unit provided at an operator side of said terminal body for allowing an operator to perform a sales transaction when a customer places an order at a shop counter where said sales transaction terminal device is placed, wherein

said terminal body has an exhibition casing space opened to the customer side thereof, with a side view of said exhibition casing space corresponding to said recessed configuration,

a customer display unit is provided at the customer side of said terminal body opposed to said operator side,

said customer display unit extends upward beyond an upper surface of a horizontally extending portion of said terminal body to hold a cover casing in said exhibition casing space, and

a top body is supported on an upper portion of said terminal body and is rotatable between a closed position and an opened position, so that said cover casing is held by said top body and said customer display unit in said closed condition while said cover casing is removable from said exhibition casing space in said opened condition.

34. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said top body conceals electric parts necessary for electric power supply to an exhibition object in said cover casing.

35. The sales transaction terminal device in accordance with claim 33, wherein an electric display unit is accommodated in said cover casing.