WO2010000986A1

WO2010000986A1 - Transaction terminal and transaction system comprising such terminals linked to a server

Info

Publication number: WO2010000986A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/000828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benoît NIQUE
Original assignee: Mettler Toledo Sas
Priority date: 2008-07-03
Filing date: 2009-07-03
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Also published as: FR2933518A1; EP2308021A1

Abstract

Transaction terminal, comprising an electronic unit for calculating a transaction amount, which is linked to at least one data input facility and a screen for displaying the amount calculated, characterized in that it comprises an advertising announcement unit linked to an announcement display screen and an audience measurement computer unit linked to a camera which is mounted in the vicinity of the announcement display facility and oriented so as to have a field covering a zone of visibility of the screen, the audience measurement computer unit executing a program for processing images originating from the camera, the image processing program incorporating a module for detecting a face turned towards the announcement display screen, a module for counting the detected faces, and a module for measuring the time for which each face is turned towards the screen.

Description

Transaction terminal and transaction system comprising such terminals connected to a server.

The present invention relates to a transaction terminal, and a system comprising such terminals and a server. These devices are more particularly intended to be implemented in places of sale of products or services, including shops and supermarkets such as supermarkets. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In sales areas, large or small, the amount of the transactions is determined by means of terminals comprising an electronic computing unit connected to at least one data input unit relating to the items purchased, that is to say to the less their price, and a display screen of the calculated amount.

For articles sold by the piece, the data input member is constituted by a keyboard which may be added a second data input member constituted by an optical reader of bar codes inscribed on labels carried by the articles. For items sold by weight, the input member comprises as before a keyboard plus a second input member consisting of a scale for weighing items. There are cash registers including a keyboard and a scale, as well as possibly an optical reader, which make it possible to add the prices of items purchased by customers and to calculate the price of items sold by weight. There are also cash registers that only allow to add the prices of items purchased by customers. Stores that are equipped with such cash registers and sell items by weight are then equipped with separate terminals to weigh the items, calculate their price based on the measured weight and print a label, indicating the type of item, the weight and the price, which will be affixed to the items weighed so that the price of these items can be subsequently entered into the cash register. To advertise the products they sell or promotional offers in progress, merchants are increasingly using advertising within their sales area. This advertising takes several forms: - billboards, sound messages, ads on screens, usually televisions placed near the departments concerned by the advertisements. However, it has become clear that many of the store's customers are not very attentive to this type of advertising, which mainly affects the customer who is in no hurry wandering in the store outside periods of high attendance.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention seeks to increase the effectiveness of advertising within stores.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, according to the invention, there is provided a weighing terminal, comprising an electronic unit for calculating a transaction amount, which is connected to at least one data input unit, a display screen of the calculated amount, and a print member of the transaction amount on a medium. The terminal includes an advertising unit connected to an advertisement display screen and a computer unit for measuring audience connected to a camera which is mounted in the vicinity of the advertisement display unit and oriented to have a field covering an area of visibility of the screen, the computer unit of measurement of audience executing a program of treatment in real time of images from the camera, the image processing program incorporating a face detection module facing the advertisement display screen, a counting module of detected faces, and a time measurement module during which each face is turned towards the screen.

The weighing terminal of the invention, for example a scale manipulated by an operator or self-service, printing labels mentioning the price of the products weighed. Advertisements can be broadcast to customers waiting in front of the terminal, during which customers have nothing to do and advertisements can help customers to wait, so that ads benefit from extra attention from customers. In addition, an audience measurement is performed at the same time to determine the interest of the customers for the advertisements broadcast. This audience measurement can easily be performed by automatic processing because of the immobility of the clients generally waiting at a cash register or scale, which facilitates and makes more reliable the detection of the orientation of the faces towards the screen. The processing is performed in real time, that is to say, within the meaning of the invention, without storing images on a read-only memory of the computer unit. Real-time processing is also facilitated by the immobility of audience members.

Preferably, the image processing program comprises a module for detecting the sex and / or age of each person whose face is turned towards the display screen ads.

This allows to better define the category of public sensitive to an advertisement. Advantageously then, the announcement unit advertisement is linked to a database containing advertisements adapted to the sex and / or age and the advertising unit is arranged to broadcast advertisements based on gender and / or age detected by the module for detecting sex and / or age.

The advertisement that will be broadcast is then chosen according to the public can see the screen to increase the chances of receiving the attention of it.

Preferably, the advertising unit is linked to a database containing advertisements adapted to at least one piece of the transaction and the unit of advertisement is arranged to broadcast the advertisements based on least one of the data communicated via the data input device.

Thus, it is possible to broadcast advertisements relating to products or services having a relationship for example with the object of the transaction, such as the product purchased.

According to a particularly compact embodiment, the camera is mounted on the screen and has a field of view substantially equal to an angle of visibility of the main screen.

According to a particular characteristic, a printing unit of a payment ticket.

Payment receipt means a receipt, an invoice or a label to be affixed to the bag containing weighed goods.

Advantageously, the terminal includes a unit for printing a promotional coupon and, preferably, the advertising unit is connected to the printing unit to print a promotional coupon corresponding to a displayed advertisement. A promotional voucher is a voucher or any other type of voucher to encourage the purchase of a product. The type of promotional coupon may be chosen to correspond to an advertisement that has just been broadcast, and for example an advertisement having benefited from a particularly attentive public.

The invention also relates to a system comprising a server and terminals according to any one of the preceding claims, each terminal comprising means for connection to the server and the computer unit for measuring audience being arranged to transmit to the server information relating to the detections made by the image processing program, the server comprising a program for processing the transmitted information.

Only information originating from the processing carried out within the transaction terminal is transmitted to the server. The flow of information transiting to the server is thus limited and the centralization of the storage of this information also allows a subsequent operation that could not be performed within the transaction terminal for lack of sufficient computer resources. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of a transaction system according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal conforming to FIG. the invention, FIG. 3 is a view from above of this terminal, FIG. 4 is a rear view of this terminal, FIG. 5 is a side view of this terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the figures, here is described a transaction system comprising transaction terminals connected to a server 100. Each transaction terminal is here a weighing terminal for weighing products, entering the type. product, calculate the price of the products weighed from the weight and the price per kilogram of them and print a label bearing this information. This terminal is intended to be used by an operator performing weighing for the customer such as in a supermarket with deli, butcher's, fishmonger or cheese cut. The invention nevertheless also applies to self-service terminals.

Each terminal, generally designated 1, comprises a scale 2 connected to a computer unit 3 connected to a screen 4 oriented towards the operator, to a screen 5 oriented towards the customers and to a printing unit 6. The balance 2 is known in itself and arranged to communicate to the computer unit 3 a signal representative of the weight of the products arranged on the scale plate 2.

The screen 4 and the screen 5 are here LCD screens having for example a diagonal dimension of 31.09 cm (or 12.1 inches) and a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. The screen 4 is here a touch screen allowing the operator to communicate information to the computer unit 3 and in particular here the type of product weighed.

In the upper edge of the screen 5 is mounted a camera 7 having a field of view substantially equal to an angle of visibility of the screen 4 and a depth of sufficient field to cover the visibility area of the screen 5.

The printing unit 6 comprises two thermal printers, namely: a printer for printing self-adhesive labels indicating the type of product, the price per kilogram, the product weight and the calculated price, a printer for printing promotional vouchers .

The computer unit 3 comprises an "INTEL" type processor "PENTIUM", a random access memory between 256 megabytes and 1 gigabyte and a read-only memory with a capacity of approximately 40 gigabytes. The operating system used is, for example, the one marketed by the company "MICROSOFT" under the name "WEPOS Windows Embedded for Point Of Service".

The read-only memory of the computer unit 3 includes a software for calculating the price according to the measured weight and the price per kilogram of product obtained from a database relating the type of product and a price per kilogram contained. in the ROM, this information is intended to be displayed on the screens 4 and 5. The operation of the terminal is on this point quite conventional. The operator chooses with the help of the touch keys of the screen 4 the type of product weighed and the computer unit 3 calculates the price of the weighed product to display it on the screens 4 and 5, with also the measured weight , the tare and the price per kilogram of the product. The computer unit 3 then controls the printing of a payment ticket, in this case a label, with this information.

The read-only memory of the computer unit 3 also contains advertisements in the form of slideshows or animated sequences, and a program for broadcasting these advertisements on a zone of the screen 5 distinct from that where the information relating to the products weighed is displayed. The advertisements are contained in a database that links parameters and advertisements adapted to these parameters. These parameters include sex, the age of the intended consumers, the products concerned. The read-only memory of the computer unit 3 also includes a software for real-time processing of the images provided by the camera 7 and audience measurement, which is here of the type marketed under the references "HAMPSHIRE TSHARK CONTROL PANEL REV 6.19 CS ". The image processing and audience measurement software incorporates a detection module for the faces facing the screen 5, a counting module for detected faces, and a module for measuring the time during which each face is facing the screen. 5. In addition, the image processing program includes a module for detecting the sex and / or age of each person whose face is turned towards the display screen ads. The computer unit 3 executes these programs to constitute both, in addition to a price calculation unit, an advertising broadcast unit and a unit for measuring the audience of the advertisements broadcast on the screen 5.

The advertising broadcast unit is arranged to broadcast the advertisements according to the age and / or sex of the persons whose faces are detected and / or according to the product weighed. As an example in the latter case, if the products being weighed are bananas, the advertisements may concern yogurts or banana sodas. The computer unit 3 controls the printing unit 6 to print a promotional coupon corresponding to a displayed advertisement. Preferably, the promotional coupon is chosen to correspond to an advertisement that has just been displayed

(information provided by the advertisement program) and / or, possibly, depending on the degree of attention received by the advertisement (information provided by the image processing and audience delivery program ). Since the weighing terminal is preferably installed in the store and not at the cash desk itself, the promotional coupon can be used immediately by the customer. The computer unit 3 comprises external connection means which comprise a 10/100 ETHERNET port and USB ports. The ETHERNET port allows the connection of the computer unit 3 to the server 100.

The server 100 is arranged to process the information sent by the computer unit 3, such as the transaction data, the audience of the advertising messages .... The server 100 can thus execute a processing program ensuring the grouping of the data transmitted under form of reports, such as tables and / or graphics, established at a frequency desired by the user.

Note that only the information from the processing is stored. This information is for example grouped into computer files exploitable by means of spreadsheet software. This information contains audience measures and their statistical distribution according to gender and age of the audience. The images are not stored, the amount of memory required is relatively low and there is no risk of invasion of privacy of people filmed. No information (including images) to identify a person is indeed stored because of the real-time processing of images. In addition, it is not necessary to make a declaration to an independent body that would be responsible for controlling the use of the personal information of third parties stored in databases.

Access to the reports requires identifying with the server 100 and providing it with a password. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Other screen sizes are of course usable. In addition, it is possible to use several screens and for example: a screen to display the price and product features and a screen to display the advertisements. On the other hand, for self-service scales, only one screen can be used. Then, the calculated amount display screen and the ad display screen are two areas of a main screen.

The camera can be activated only during the broadcast of advertisements or continuously even in the absence of commercials. In the latter case, the broadcast of advertisements can be triggered at the detection of a face by the image processing program provided by the camera 7. The data can be input by means of a conventional keyboard, a touch screen or a device for recognizing the shapes of the products weighed.

The image processing and audience measurement program can incorporate a gender detection module and / or the age of the people looking at the screen 5. This information can be used to refine the reports developed subsequently. The read-only memory of the computer unit 3 may then further contain a database containing advertisements adapted to the sex and / or age and the commercial program may be arranged to broadcast the advertisements according to the sex and / or age detected.

The image processing program may include a face motion tracking module that may be used to control the orientation of images displayed on the screen 5.

Claims

1. weighing terminal (1), comprising an electronic unit (3) for calculating a transaction amount, which is connected to at least one data input member (2), a display screen (4) of the calculated amount, and a device for printing the transaction amount on a medium, characterized in that it comprises an advertising unit connected to an advertisement display screen and a computer unit measuring audience connected to a camera (7) which is mounted in the vicinity of the advertisement display member (5) and oriented to have a field covering an area of visibility of the screen, the computer unit for measuring audience executing a program for real-time processing of images coming from the camera, the image processing program incorporating a face detection module turned towards the display screen for announcements, a counting module for detected faces , and a module for measuring the time during which each face is round born towards the screen.

Terminal according to claim 1, wherein the image processing program comprises a module for detecting the sex and / or age of each person whose face is turned towards the display screen of advertisements ( 5).

Terminal according to claim 2, wherein the advertisement unit is connected to a database containing advertisements adapted to gender and / or age and the advertising unit is arranged to broadcast advertisements based on sex and / or age detected by the module for detecting sex and / or age.

4. Transaction terminal according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the announcement unit advertisement is linked to a database containing advertisements adapted to at least one transaction datum and the advertising unit is arranged to broadcast the advertisements according to at least one of the data communicated via the organ data entry.

The terminal of claim 1, wherein the treatment program comprises a face motion tracking module.

Terminal according to claim 1, wherein the input member comprises a keyboard.

7. Terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the input member comprises a balance (3) and the display screen of the calculated amount (4) is arranged to also display the weight, the tare and the unit price of the product.

The terminal of claim 1, wherein the calculated amount display screen (4) and the advertisement display screen (5) are two areas of a main screen.

9. Terminal according to claim 8, wherein the camera (7) is mounted on the main screen (5).

10. Terminal according to claim 9, wherein the camera (7) has a field of view substantially equal to an angle of visibility of the main screen (5).

11. Terminal according to claim 1, comprising a printing unit (6) of a payment ticket.

12. Terminal according to claim 1, comprising a printing unit (6) of a promotional voucher.

The terminal of claim 12, wherein the advertisement unit is connected to the printing unit (6) to print a good promotional message corresponding to a displayed advertisement.

14. System comprising a server (100) and terminals (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, each terminal comprising means for connection to the server and the computer unit for measuring audience being arranged to transmit to the server information relating to the detections made by the image processing program, the server comprising a program for processing the transmitted information.

The system of claim 14, wherein the server processing program (100) is arranged to present the transmitted information in the form of reports.