JP2003051067A - Self-checkout system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-checkout system and method and/or device applicable to an arbitrary store. SOLUTION: The self-checkout system provided with a plurality of self- checkout stations for self-assisted purchasing each including self-checkout terminal equipment, a bagging area and an article moving area, is provided with at least one monitoring terminal device for monitoring the purchasing operation of at least any one of the plurality of self-checkout stations. The self-checkout system is applicable to use based on various kinds of configurations, purposes and capacities. In a certain configuration, two or more monitoring terminal devices are installed and each of the devices is operated for monitoring one or more stations among the plurality of self-checkout stations.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a checkout device, system and method, and more particularly to a system, device and method for scalable self checkout.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The main motivations for shopping at retail stores are the merchandise of the store, the price of the merchandise, the location, the payment method that can be used, and the speed of the checkout process. When deciding where to shop, a consumer who wants to buy something may take into account other factors in addition to the above motivations.

In one example, the main motivation for shopping at a convenience store is whether the location of the store is convenient for shopping, speed of processing, and the like. The usual average dollar amount at convenience stores is very low, and factors that help limit some security issues depend on the various checkout methods used by the convenience store, as well as the layout and checkout methods. It is related.

[0004]

Depending on the time of day, queues may form at the checkout station of the convenience store, defeating the "fast processing speed" advantage of the convenience store. There are various causes of queues, and the number of consumers waiting to purchase goods exceeds the limit to expedite individual sales at checkout stations, etc. There is a cause of. As an example, queues can form at checkout stations when lottery prizes are higher than normal and when lottery lottery tickets are sold accordingly. check out·
The queue at the station is also a transaction
You can also do this if you need the special help of a convenience store clerk. For example, in the case of the sale or redemption of lottery lottery tickets, and the sale of age-restricted items such as alcohol, tobacco and adult magazines, the convenience store clerk may ask for special approval or confirmation. Must do business. If you take the time to do these special tasks, you may lose the "quick processing" benefit of convenience stores, so
Traditionally, convenience store checkout devices have been poorly utilized or utilized.

Self-checkout has been used for convenience store "pay at pump" type gasoline sales. In this case, the gasoline pump includes point-of-sale information (POS) terminals. At convenience stores, there has been some type of self-checkout, that is, "payment is at the pump" type of gasoline sales, where the gasoline pump includes point of sale (POS) terminals. Most other day-to-day transactions conducted at convenience stores, cannot provide self-checkout behavior. Moreover, certain transactions that require approval or confirmation typically cannot perform a self-checkout operation.

In addition, the current self-checkout
The system cannot adapt to the limited space within a normal store environment such as a convenience store. Moreover, current self-checkout systems cannot adapt to the layout within a given space.

Therefore, a system for performing self-service checkout in a convenience store environment,
A method and / or device needs to be provided.

Therefore, there is also a need to provide a scalable self-checkout system, method and / or apparatus for any store.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to perform self-checkout at the convenience store so that the desired convenience is not lost due to the queue.

[0010]

According to a first aspect, the invention comprises a plurality of self-checkout terminal devices, each for self-service purchase, each including a display, a scanner and a payment acceptance device. , Communicating with each of the plurality of self-checkout terminals, having a display, and selectively selecting a purchase operation being performed at any one or some of the plurality of self-checkout terminals There is provided a system for self-checkout, which comprises a monitoring terminal device which operates for monitoring.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a plurality of self-checkout terminal devices for self-service purchase, each including a scanner, a display and a payment acceptance device, and each of the plurality of self-checkout terminals. A plurality of monitoring terminal devices that are in communication with the checkout terminal device and that operate to monitor purchase operations being performed at any one or some of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. Provide a system for self-checkout.

According to a third aspect, the invention comprises a scanner, a display and a payment receiving device, each of which comprises:
Providing a plurality of self-checkout terminal devices that operate to make a self-service purchase, each of which is in communication with each of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices; Providing a plurality of monitoring terminals capable of operating to monitor purchase activity taking place at any one or several of the devices, and one or more of the plurality of monitoring terminals. Further provided is a method for self-checkout, comprising the step of monitoring purchase activity currently occurring at any one or some of the plurality of self-checkout terminals.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is an exemplary layout of an exemplary self-checkout system for a checkout island in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
The checkout island 90 includes a plurality of self checkout stations 1. Each self checkout station has a self service terminal device 10, a bagging area 20, and a product loading area 3.
0, including security / auxiliary pole 40. The checkout island also includes a monitoring terminal 60 accessible from an open central area 80. It should be appreciated that the checkout island 90 may have only one self checkout station, instead of two or more self checkout stations. Furthermore, the layout of the self-checkout system of FIG. 1 (ie, the position of each self-checkout station 1, and the position of the monitoring terminal device 60 itself, the monitoring terminal device 6 for each self-checkout station 1).
The 0 position) is merely exemplary of the many configurations that the self-checkout system of the present invention can take.

A plurality of self-checkout stations 1 are designed for customer use, each self-checkout station 1 having a self-checkout station 1.
It includes an outward facing self-service terminal device 10 centrally located with respect to the checkout station 1. A bagging area 20 is located on one side surface of each self-service terminal device 10, and a product loading area 30 is located on the other side surface of each self-service terminal device 10. Each self-checkout station 1 also displays when assistance is requested, confirmation is required, or when a security problem occurs at a particular self-checkout station 1. Includes a security / auxiliary pole 40 with a lamp. The security / auxiliary pole 40 is preferably the customer 2 and the monitoring terminal device 60.
It is preferable to install it at a position where it does not substantially obstruct the line of sight with the monitoring staff 70 located at.

The product loading area 30 forms a flat surface on which the customer 2 can place an item or items that he or she wishes to purchase. The height of the product loading area 30 is
It may differ from the surface height of the bagging area 20 and the area in front of the particular self-service terminal 10. For example, if the customer 2 puts the product in his or her shopping basket and wants to take out the product from the shopping basket by a simpler method, the height of placing the product should be lower.
Another reason for changing the height of the surface of the product loading area 30 is when the customer 2 is in a wheelchair or when the customer 2 is short. However, in the preferred embodiment,
The surface of the product loading area 30 is self-checked out.
It is flush with the other side of station 1. The product loading area 30 may be one or more so that the customer 2 is free to select the order in which the products are scanned or otherwise processed in the self-service terminal 10. To provide a face.

The bagging area 20 and / or the product loading area 30 (ie, the self-service terminal device 1)
The positions (on the left side or on the right side of 0) are usually freely selectable. For left-handed people, one or more self-checkout stations 1 can be configured (ie, the product loading area 30 on the right,
The bagging area 20 can be on the left side, while for right-handed people, one or more self-checkout stations 1 can be configured (ie, the product loading area 30). On the left and the bagging area 20 on the right). Of course, other configurations can be used.

The checkout island embodiment of the present invention includes a second set of self-checkout stations 1 (not shown), and a second set, if desired.
Of monitoring terminals 60 (not shown) may be included. All of these are installed on the opposite side of the counter 90 in the mirror image configuration of FIG. In this configuration, two surveillance staff members 70 double the number of self-checkouts.
The station 1 can be serviced. If one wants to do so, one monitoring terminal device 60
It can operate to monitor any self-checkout station 1 located anywhere around 0. Another variation of the checkout island embodiment of the present invention provides any number of monitoring terminals 60 and any number of self-checkout stations 1. In this case, the plurality of monitoring terminal devices 60
Is configured to select a particular one of the self-checkout stations 1 for monitoring. In addition, when the monitoring terminal device 60 is replaced,
It can be used as the service terminal device 10 and vice versa. With such an arrangement, the monitored, unassisted self-checkout operation is scalable, thereby optimizing device and staff resources. For example, one monitoring terminal device 60 may be used for a smaller number of active self-checkout stations 1 during a certain time of day when the convenience store business is not busy.
Can be monitored appropriately. On the other hand, during a certain time of the day when the business of the convenience store is busy, a plurality of monitoring terminal devices 60 can be operated to monitor a larger number of active self-checkout stations 1. .

FIG. 2 is an exemplary layout of an exemplary self-checkout system of an embodiment of a checkout counter according to the principles of the present invention.
The checkout counter 91 includes a plurality of self checkout stations 1. Each self-checkout station 1 has the same elements as described in the checkout island embodiment. The checkout counter embodiment is self-checking.
A check area 81 is included on the side opposite the counter 91 from the checkout station 1. Monitoring terminal device 6
0 is installed facing the monitoring side of the counter 91. The surveillance area 81 can be used to house controlled items such as alcohol, cigarettes, adult magazines, and expensive items that are small and easily stolen. By using this embodiment of the checkout counter, the surveillance staff 70 is oriented in some general direction, for example at the self-checkout station 1
By installing a security glass between the staff and the surveillance staff 70, it is easier to adapt to the flat floor of the store,
Alternatively, a more secure area can be provided to the surveillance staff 70.

The preferred embodiment self-service terminal 10 includes a kiosk. The individual components of the self-service terminal 10 may be implemented as individual devices, or, preferably, these components may be integrated components contained within the kiosk, or on the kiosk. It is preferable to perform them in close association. One kiosk that can be used to practice the present invention is the Model 7401 Web.RTM. Commercially available from NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.
It's a kiosk.

As shown in FIG. 4, the self-service terminal device 10 is a bar code for reading Universal Product Code (UPC) information that is attached to or printed on most of the items in the convenience store. -Including the scanner 15. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
Each item in a convenience store has a UPC attached to it so that it can be easily scanned.
Have a label. However, many items sold at convenience stores may not have a UPC number. These non-UPC items include, among others, fruit, vegetables and prepared food items. One scanner that can be used in the present invention is a model number 7875 bi-opt scanner available from NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.
ic scanner).

The scanner 15 includes a first scanning window 19 and a second scanning window 18. The first scanning window 19 is arranged substantially horizontally, while the second scanning window 18 is arranged substantially vertically. Optional product scale 9
7 can be built into the scanner 15 to measure the weight of fruits and vegetables. More specifically, the product scale 97 can be arranged substantially parallel to the scanning window 19 or can be built into the first scanning window 19. When a product, such as produce, is placed on the product scale 97 or the first scanning window 19, the product scale 97 can be used to weigh the item. The scanner 15 can be physically integrated with the kiosk 11 or can be implemented as a separate device that can communicate with the kiosk 11.

The scanner 15 includes a light source (not shown) such as a laser, a rotating mirror (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown), and a mirror array (not shown). In operation, the laser beam reflects off the rotating mirrors and mirror array to form a pattern of the scanning light beam. The product identification code on a certain item is the scanner 15
Upon passing over, the beam of scanning light reflects off the code and returns to the scanner 15, where the beams together are detected. The reflected light is then electronically analyzed to determine if the reflected light contains a valid product identification code pattern. If it contains a valid code pattern, the product identification code is converted to price information, which is used to determine the cost of the item in a well known manner.

The preferred embodiment self-service terminal device 10 includes a kiosk 11 that displays text and graphics to a customer and that includes a touch screen 12 for the customer to select and enter. Kiosk 11 includes a scanner 15 that scans or reads a bar code containing UPC information for the product, or other indicia associated with the item being purchased, such as industrial symbols or alphanumeric characters. Scanner 1
The UPC read by 5 is decrypted using a local lookup table or by sending the UPC to a database on a computer (not shown). in this case,
Product information from the lookup table is obtained for the particular UPC. By converting UPC into product information,
Product descriptions and prices can be displayed on the touch screen 12 and printed as individual inputs on a paper receipt. The stored product information also includes the weight value of each item,
This weight value is used for security purposes (discussed below) associated with the bagging area 20.

The self-service terminal 10 preferably includes a magnetic strip reader 13 for obtaining information from credit cards, debit cards, membership cards and the like. The self-service terminal device 10 may include a speaker 14 to provide audio messages and information to customers, if desired. The self-service terminal device 10 and its own magnetic strip reader (not shown), if desired, to obtain signature verification for purchases by credit, debit or membership cards. An external signature capture device 88 may be included that cooperates or operates in cooperation with the magnetic strip reader 13 located on the kiosk 11.

The printer 17 is located below the kiosk 11 on one side of the base assembly 16 facing the customer. Alternatively, the printer 17 can be accessed by both the customer and maintenance staff in a cabinet (not shown) under the self-service terminal 10 or by replacing the customer and, for example, printing paper. Or in a separate enclosure (not shown) that can be installed in the area of the self-checkout station 1 for convenient use. The printer 17 includes a receipt for transactions using the self-service terminal device 10, purchase by cash, purchase by credit / debit card, car wash code number, coupon, waiting number, gift certificate, order number, And other relevant print information, including other receipts. If you want to
A second printer (not shown) may be installed in the area of the self-checkout station 1, but the second printer may, for example, be a lottery ticket, coupon or special printing paper or printing format. Used to print other items that need. The self-service terminal device 10 may include a microphone 67 capable of two-way communication between the customer 2 and the surveillance staff 70, if desired.

Self-checkout station 1
Is preferably configured to operate a POS system for accepting payment offers from customers. The POS system includes a touch screen display 12, a keypad and / or buttons 65 for entering customer selections or information, a currency and coin acceptor and change assembly 69, and credit and debit cards with magnetic strips. Or a point-of-sale information management terminal device including information coded on a user card such as a membership card, a card reader 13 for reading a barcode, or a flash memory. POS system is an automated teller machine (ATM)
It can be embedded as an integral component associated with the or can be configured to be embedded within a particular ordering station application. For example, traditional ATMs have many features and menus (eg, money transfer,
Payment of telephone charges), so POS
The system can be implemented more efficiently at the kiosk 11. By optimizing the functionality of several components of the POS system, efficient customer self-payment for orders is made and established.

The magnetic strip reader 13 is inserted into the card reader 13 through a slot 113 (credit card, debit card, customer identification card,
It is arranged to read data from a card (such as a smart card). In the preferred embodiment, the card reader 13 operates without the use of the keyboard 65 to debit the card's account without entering a PIN or other confirmation number. Alternatively, the keypad 65 can be used with the card reader 13 to allow the customer to enter a PIN number.
The keypad 65 has keys 165 which allow the customer to select certain functions and enter numeric data. The keypad 65, if you want to
It can have its own POS display (not shown) dedicated to card transaction information.

The card reader 13 can operate with a signature capture device 88, such as a signature recognition pad or signature capture terminal, if desired. One such device that is suitable for implementation with the present invention is the Model 5991 signature recognition pad marketed by NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio. As is well known, the signature recognition pad includes a pressure transducer plate (not shown) in which the customer "signs" himself with a stylus (not shown). The pad forms a digitized image of the signature, which is sent to the processing unit 80 (described below) of the self-service terminal device 10 for storage in the memory 84 contained therein. The signature capture device 88 is preferably a separate unit located outside the kiosk 11 and connected to the kiosk 11 by a communication cable (not shown). However, the signature capture device 88 can also be physically incorporated into the top-facing surface of the kiosk 11.
In any case, the signature capture device 88 is located at a location within the self-checkout station 1 that is easily accessible by the customer 2. The memory unit 84 is a random access memory (R
AM), read only memory (ROM), mass memory such as tape and disk drives, and others known in the art. The memory unit 84 is located within the kiosk 11 or at an external location accessed through the communication interface 83.

Each self-checkout station 1 preferably includes a currency and coin receiving device and change assembly 69, as shown in FIG. The currency and coin acceptor and change assembly 69 inputs different denominations of the currency and verifies that the banknotes are authentic,
Reject banknotes that do not pass the visual check and
A banknote reader 7 at the checkout station 1 for crediting the customer's application amount to the face value of the banknote.
Including 2. Currency and coin receiving device and change assembly 6
9 is also an input slot for receiving coins, a mechanical shifter (not shown) for identifying the face value of coins,
And each ordering station 20 includes a coin input mechanism 73 having an output signal device (not shown) for allowing the customer's application amount to be credited to the face value of the coin.

Each bill reader 72 and coin input mechanism 73
Has a mechanism (not shown) for returning the rejected banknotes and coins and for returning the change to the customer for deposits in excess of the full amount of the order. The bill reader 72 returns the currencies rejected to the customer 2. The coins refused to be received or the coins returned as change to the customer are also sent out in the change container 74. The currency and coin receiver and change assembly 69 also preferably includes its own independent display 71 for displaying deposit amounts and associated currency and coin information. When using the display 71, it is convenient because the customer does not have to look at a distant display when applying for cash payment. The currency and coin receiving device and change assembly 69 can be installed within the kiosk 11 or independently below the product loading area 30 or on one side of the bagging area 20.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,
The security / assistance pole 40 can be used to identify self-identification when security assistance is requested, confirmation is required, or security issues are specific.
When it occurs at checkout station 1, it has a lamp to display it. In the preferred embodiment,
The security / auxiliary pole 40 includes a number of low energy consumption lamps 42 located behind a corresponding number of lenses 41. The lenses 41 are made of different colored plastics and each lens has a display message that can be easily seen when each lamp 42 is illuminated. The security / auxiliary pole 40 includes a housing 43 for housing the lamp 42 and the lens 41. Housing 43
Is a self-service terminal 10, floor, island 9
0, or a pole 4 that can be mounted on the counter 91
It is attached to 4. Alternatively, the security / auxiliary pole 40 can be formed integrally with the kiosk 11,
The indicators (not shown) for a group of self-checkout stations 1 can all be configured to be contained within one display unit (not shown). Security / auxiliary pole 4 of a specific shape
The 0 can easily be adapted to the particular shape of the self-checkout station 1, the floor of the convenience store, and the logical common sense.

As shown in FIG. 6, the self-service terminal device 10 includes a self-checkout station 1
A processing unit 80 that operates to cooperate in controlling some functions of the. The processing unit 80 has one
One or more processors (not shown) may be included.

Generally, the processing unit 80 has conventionally allowed the self-checkout station 1 to communicate with a network (not shown) such as a LAN or WAN through a wired connection (not shown). It also cooperates with the network interface circuit 83. The processing unit 80 may communicate with the network during the checkout procedure to obtain price information on the scanned items and, if appropriate, customer credit approval. Self-checkout station 1
Network interface circuit 83 related to
Can include the well-known Ethernet expansion cards, and wired connections can include the well-known twisted pair or fiber optic communication lines. Alternatively, the network interface circuit may support wireless communication with the network.

Each self-checkout station 1 has a monitoring terminal 6 for the self-checkout station 1 to both output and obtain payment-related information by means of the magnetic strip reader 13.
0 and a processing unit 80 having a network interface circuit 83 that enables communication with an external computer (not shown). The card reader information is used to approve the sale amount, voluntary confirmation of the customer for security reasons such as confirmation of a PIN number, and memory 8.
4 includes uploading and downloading of input information related to the self-checkout station 1, such as update information retained in 4. Communication between the monitoring terminal device 60 and the external computer also changes the display format of the touch screen 12 and changes virtual buttons on the touch screen 12 for the purpose of further promoting sales and changing the operation of the touch screen 12, for example. In order to do so, provide the update information used to change the price and weight information.

The processing unit 80 also generates a signal to finalize the offer to pay, thereby causing the touch screen display 12 to inform the customer that payment for the order has been completed. The card reader 13 can also generate a payment finalization signal or a cash input device 69. The payment final decision signal indicates that the customer's operation at the self-checkout station 1 has ended, but preferably,
To end customer's order application or approval (when possible), to notify Customer 2 that all transactions have been completed, and to leave Customer at Self Checkout Station 1. It is preferable to perform other actions such as designation.

In the case of the device of the present invention, a PO having at least some functions of an automatic teller machine (ATM).
The hardware and software of the S-terminal device incorporates the hardware and software that support additional checkout functions. Therefore, the hardware elements of the self-checkout station 1 can be built into one stand-alone kiosk 11. Kiosk 11 peripherals and stand-alone devices are preferably RS-232 or Universal Serial Bus (U) in a well-known manner.
It is preferably connected to the processing unit 80 by a serial controller within the I / O communication device 83, such as an SB controller. Alternatively, a well-known parallel for any or all communication between elements of the checkout system and / or between the checkout system and an external device such as a computer (not shown). Any type of communication device can be used. The touch screen 12, along with the processing unit 80, includes a well known video controller that can be installed on an adapter card or motherboard.

Kiosk 11 may be a variety of software architectures, or Microsoft Windows N.
Works for operating systems such as T., Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000, and Linux.
However, it should be understood that other suitable operating systems could be used.

In the case of the conventional checkout system, the checkout staff at the conventional cash register manages the level of security against theft or other accidents. However, in the case of the self-checkout station 1, the self-service terminal device 10 itself supplies the necessary safety when the monitoring terminal device 60
Must be assisted. Such safety is the second item, which is cheaper from the shopping bag, without the customer inadvertently or deliberately putting the item in the shopping bag or scanning the item without scanning the item. This includes prevention of situations such as taking out items and not taking out items at all. Therefore, another issue in evaluating the self-checkout station 1 is the level of security against fraudulent use of the self-checkout station 1 by the customer.

The bagging area 20 is a bagging area.
An assembly 29 is included. As shown in FIG. 3A, the bag assembly 29 in the preferred embodiment has two
It has a set of bag dispensing / weighing stations 9. However, any number of dispensing / weighing stations 9 may be used in the bagging assembly 29 of the present invention. Each dispensing / weighing station 9
Dispense one bag at a time and weigh it. The bagging assembly 29 includes one or more security scales 23 for weighing the bag 25 when the customer 2 has loaded the item. The security scale 23 indicates whether any item has been taken out or added from the bag 25 of the customer 2. The security scale 23 outputs the weight information about an item put in or taken out of the bag 25, and outputs the total weight of the bag 25 and its contents, or the weight of the bag 25 and the bag holders 27, 22. ,
28 and the total weight of any unused bag 26 down from the bag holders 27, 22, 28.

The security scale 23 determines the weight value of the item by detecting the increase in the weight of the shopping bag 25. Alternatively, if the customer 2 retrieves an item from the shopping bag 25, the security scale 2
3 determines the weight value of the item by detecting a decrease in the weight of the shopping bag 25. Security scale 23
Communicates with the processing unit 80 before, during, and after scanning an item. In the preferred embodiment, the security scale 23 includes a weighing surface that is arranged horizontally parallel to the bottom surface of the bagging area 20 or is aligned with said bottom surface. The security scale 23 can be incorporated into any well known retail scale. The security scale 23 of the present invention
One such retail scale that is especially useful as is the Wey Way in Santa Rosa, California.
There is a model number 6680 weigh scale commercially available from Wetron-Tronix.

In the preferred embodiment, processing unit 80 calculates the total weight of the customer's 2 purchases and compares this total weight to the weight calculated based on the weight of the corresponding scanned item. . If the two weights are within the predetermined tolerance range, the processing unit 80 determines that no tampering has occurred. If the difference between the two weights is greater than the predetermined value, the processing unit 80 flags a fraudulent purchase in its monitoring program.

More specifically, the processing unit 80
Uses the UPC associated with the item to select the corresponding stored weight value from among a number of numbers maintained in a predefined main product database, using the stored weight of the item. Search for a value. In this specification,
The term "primary product database" refers to product information that pertains to all items for sale by the retailer (eg,
It means a central database containing descriptions, prices and weights). The processing unit 80 uses the stored weight value of the item and the measured weight of the item to determine whether the item in the bag 25 is the same item scanned by the customer 2. To compare.

For example, if customer 2 scans a can of soup with a scanner, processing unit 80 determines product identification code associated with can of soup to determine a stored weight value associated with the soup. To use. More specifically, processing unit 80 retrieves from the main product database in memory 84 a stored weight value corresponding to a can of soup (eg, 10 and 3/4 ounces). Communicate with memory device 84. If customer 2 puts a can of soup in bag 25, scale 2
3 weighs a can of soup. More specifically, when the customer 2 puts the can of soup in the bag 25, the scale 23 measures the weight gain corresponding to the can of soup (eg, 10 and 3/4 ounces), thereby processing. Unit 80 determines that the product in the bag is authentic. However, if the customer 2 puts a pound of steak in the bag 25, the scale 23 will
16 ounces) and the processing unit 80 determines that the item is different. The data in the main product database must be kept absolutely accurate.

The bag assembly 29 includes a number of posts 21 that cooperate to support a number of shopping bags 26. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the preferred embodiment, the post 21 includes one or more bag receiving portions 27 and one or more corresponding “floating” portions 28. The floating portion 28 remains attached to the post 21 and is connected to the bag housing portion 27 by the separating mechanism 22 capable of measuring the weight of the bag. By separating the floating portion for each post 21, the floating portion 28 can be moved or "floated" when an item is placed in the customer's bag 25. This floating bag 25 contains items
The weight of can be measured accurately. This is because the bag 25 is no longer supported by the post 21. That is, it is not held.

The bagging assembly 29 is configured to allow the customer 2 to access a number of shopping bags 25 at any time, including a specific number of posts 21 or a pair of posts 21. The number of open bags corresponding to the open posts 21 depends on the number of posts 21 used for each bag. The number of individual floating parts 28 and the corresponding open bags 25 is one
One or more, the customer 2 can selectively put the type of main item in each open shopping bag 25. For example, customer 2 may use a first shopping bag 25 for household chemical items such as soap or bleach and a second shopping bag for food items such as meat or crops if he or she wishes to do so. The bag 25 can be used.

In another embodiment, the post 21 of the bagging assembly 29 has a floating portion 28.
The bag assembly 29 is configured such that the security scale 23 is located at a height relative to the post 21 so that the bag 25 is suspended and the post 21 is not weighed. . Other embodiments of the bagging assembly 29 of the present invention included in the present invention use a freestanding bag 25 or a load cell (not shown) located in series with a portion of the rod 21. Including various configurations such that the weight of the bag 25 can be accurately measured. In this case, the rod 21 is tilted vertically so that the load cell can function correctly.

Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG.
Auxiliary pole 40 indicates the status of an ongoing transaction. In the preferred embodiment, the security / auxiliary pole 40 has different colored lamps to indicate different types of conditions. The indication "normal" is displayed on the monitoring staff 70,
Indicates that no assistance is needed at a particular self checkout station 1. The indication "needs assistance / approval" indicates to the surveillance staff 70 that the self-checkout station 1 being displayed requires some assistance, such as authorization to sell age-restricted items. , Customer 2 needs assistance for some reason. "Crime violation" is displayed
Surveillance staff 70 indicated that the item was placed in the bag without scanning within bagging area 20 and the weight of an item placed in the bag did not match the known weight of the item identified by the scan. Indicates that.

The monitoring terminal 60 monitors ongoing transactions and is preferably installed in the immediate vicinity of the customer 2 and the self-checkout station 1. The monitoring terminal 60 electronically communicates with each self-service terminal 10 to monitor transactions at all self-checkout stations 1.

Self-checkout station 1
If you want to
A camera 98 and associated electronics (not shown) may be included. The video camera 98 of the preferred embodiment is located above the scanning and bagging area 20 and positioned to detect motion within multiple "target areas". As used herein, the term "target area" is used across the video camera 98.
Means an area where motion can be detected. For example, the first target area is the maximum extent an item can be successfully scanned if it crosses the scanner 14. The electronics associated with the video camera 98 are preferably such that the corresponding video information is sent to the processing unit 80 and stored in the memory 84.
It is preferable to digitize the video signal from 8.
In other embodiments, one or more cameras 9
8 is built into the self-checkout station 1 and independent video cameras are arranged to check each individual area within the self-checkout station 1. In a preferred embodiment, surveillance staff 70 may monitor any of the video cameras 98 in the store to monitor specific activities on the touch screen display 72 of the surveillance terminal. You can choose. In this way, the oversight staff can oversee all customers 2 in need of help without having a good understanding of the self-checkout procedure. Another use of the selectable checking feature of the monitoring terminal 60 is that monitoring staff can carefully monitor for any suspicious activity (eg, theft).

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and the touch screen display of FIG. 9, an exemplary method of the checkout process of one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Customer 2 enters a convenience store and selects the product he / she wants to purchase. Customer 2 carries the product himself or puts the product in a conventional shopping bag (not shown).

In step 100, the customer 2 arrives at the self-checkout station 1 and places the shopping bag or the product itself on the surface of the corresponding product loading area 30 of the self-checkout station 1. The customer 2 first presses the appropriate virtual key icon 52 displayed on the touch screen display 12 of the self-service terminal 10 located at the self-checkout station 1. , You can choose the type of payment.
The touch screen display 12 is then displayed to the customer 2
, A series of prompts may be displayed requesting that the corresponding selection be made in response to each prompt displayed on the touch screen display 12.
Customer 2 can select his payment by pressing the virtual key 52 displayed for each prompt. For example, if customer 2 selects "credit card" as the type of payment, touch screen display 12 prompts the customer to insert his card into card reader 13. When the customer inserts the credit card, the touch screen display 12 prompts the customer 2 to proceed with the keypad 65 to enter additional confirmation information such as a PIN number. If the particular self-service terminal device 10 does not have the keypad 65,
The touch screen display 12 displays a virtual key 52 on which the customer 2 enters confirmation information (if required).

The particular self-service terminal 10
The kiosk 11, if including a microphone 67 and a speaker 14 connected to a software program resident in the memory 84, provides the customer 2 with a well-known synthetic voice module (not shown) and / or a well-known voice module. MPE
Additional prompts and instructions can be displayed by audio-visual messages, such as messages containing digitized video segments using G or VPEG coding. For example, the touchscreen display 12 may be a kiosk 11 when pressed.
May display to the customer 2 a virtual "help key" 51 that provides an audio or visual training clip for the operation of a given kiosk 11. In the preferred embodiment, the touch screen display 12 displays a help key 51 at some or all of the various stages of the checkout process. In such a case, processing unit 80 will access the corresponding set of control programs located in memory 84. The control program operates to cause the kiosk 11 to display instructions or messages relating to the current operation being performed. The touch screen display 12 can also display a help selection menu when the virtual help key 51 is pressed.

Alternatively, kiosk 11 may not initially accept and / or prompt customer 2 to select the type of payment. Instead, the kiosk 11 may display a "start transaction" or similar virtual button on the touchscreen display 12 so that the customer 2 can start scanning the item. Also, scanning the first item can start the transaction. A function that can operate in either of the operation flows (the act of pressing a button or the act of scanning) can be called “multi-route selection”.

In step 110, the touch screen display 12 causes the customer 2 to start scanning his or her items and place them in one or more open bags 25 located in the bagging area 20. Instruct to enter. In the preferred embodiment, the touch screen display 12 directs the customer 2 to scan the items, one item at a time, into the bag. For example, touch screen display 12
Can display the message "Please put item in bag" after an item has been scanned. After the security scale 23 confirms that the item has been placed in the bag 25, the touch screen display 12 instructs the customer 2 to "scan other items". In this way, the customer 2 scans all the items one at a time and puts them in the bag.

In the case of an item with a UPC bar code, the item is first added to the first scan window 19
Scanning is done by passing over or in front of the second scanning window 18. If the scan is successful, the security scale 23 produces an audio sound, by means of a well-known electronic beeper device (not shown), or one or more speakers 14, and the price and identification of the scanned item ( name,
Brand, weight, description, etc.) is displayed on the touch screen display 12 and / or the printer 1
7, when the check-out process is completed, the receipt is printed by the printer 17 and printed.

After each successful scan, the scanner 15 in communication with the processing unit 80 receives a bar code to obtain the item description, price and weight from the reference file stored in the memory 84.・ Decode the label information. The processing unit 80 adds the price of each scanned item to the total price and also adds the weight information for that item to the total weight. If the customer 2 puts the item in the bag 25 and then moves the bag 25 from the bagging assembly 29, the last weight information output by the particular security scale 23 is relative to the current checkout operation. Stored in the memory 84, and the weight of the new bag 25 is reset.

In the preferred embodiment, all items being purchased at the convenience store include a UPC code. If the price of produce or other item depends on weight, the particular item may be pre-packaged to include a UPC label, or a convenience store may be used by customer 2 to weigh their produce. , A bag and a well-known weighing station (not shown) for self-adhesing the UPC label for each individual produce type in the bag. Alternatively, convenience stores are
A weighing station that can be used to check the automatic weighing station for the purpose of crime prevention, or you can use the clerk in charge of the produce weighing station.
A camera (not shown) can also be installed.

However, the convenience store equipped with the produce weighing station is still able to select the ripe, green, undamaged produce item that the customer 2 can pay "attentive attention" to. You may want to provide the option to choose your individual produce items so that you can. For produce items that do not have a UPC code label, the self-checkout station 1 comprises a produce weighing scale (not shown) in the immediate vicinity of or in the scanner 15. In such a case, the touch screen display 12 may display a "Produce" button (see Fig. 1) to inform the self-service terminal 10 that the item the customer 2 is currently purchasing is of a certain type of produce. Virtual button 52 that can be pressed (not shown)
Display the menu of. When the produce button is pressed, the touch screen display 12 displays a menu of produce types (not shown) such as "apple", "banana" and others. When customer 2 enters a particular produce type by pressing the appropriate virtual button 52,
Customer 2 places the produce on a produce weighing scale, and touchscreen display 12 displays the price, produce identification (eg, "red delicious"), and weight of the produce item and opens to customer 2. One of the bags 25 is instructed to contain that particular produce item. In this way, customer 2 starts checking out all of his produce items.

In step 120, the customer 2 informs the self-service terminal device 10 of a virtual key or icon 53 on the touchscreen display 12 to inform the customer that he has finished his checkout.
push.

In step 130, the processing unit 80 determines whether the current transaction at the particular self-service terminal 10 can be terminated. The processing unit determines this by checking to see if the flag was set while the customer 2 was scanning and bagging the item.
If any of the scanned items are those that require age verification, the processing unit 80 may include multiple self-checks.
An authorization flag is set in an internal program that monitors individual transactions at checkout station 1. The processing unit 80 also includes the total weight that the weight of the bag 25 containing the items is calculated by the individual weights stored in the memory 84, coded within each UPC or within the UPC itself. If it does not match, one or more security flags are set during checkout at the self-checkout station 1. The processing unit 80 may also, if needed to confirm a coupon or other customer credit request,
If the processing unit 80 does not know the product description of the scanned item, or if the customer 2 thinks the product description or price of the scanned item being displayed is incorrect, or requires inspection and action by the monitoring staff 70. In case of all other events, the auxiliary flag is set.

If none of the purchased items require age verification, or any other intervention by the monitoring staff 70, then they are not flagged during customer 2's checkout. In that case, the processing unit 80 ends the checkout.

In another embodiment, the processing unit outputs a signal to the security / auxiliary pole 40. This signal is sent by the security / auxiliary pole 40 as soon as something is flagged during checkout at the self-checkout station 1 with the particular security / auxiliary pole 40.
Illuminate one or more of the above indicator lights. By notifying the surveillance staff 70 that intervention is required at a particular self-checkout station 1 before the customer 2 checkout process is complete, the surveillance staff 70 will be able to detect the customer 2 so much. It is possible to perform necessary confirmation, approval or crime prevention check in a timely and efficient manner without waiting.

In step 140, the preferred embodiment of the checkout method is for the customer 2, after pressing a virtual key or icon 53 on the touch screen display 12, to perform authorization, verification and crime prevention activities and processing. Inform unit 80 that the customer wants to end the checkout process. The processing unit 80 is
A check is then made to see if any of the flags were set during the checkout operation of customer 2. If any of the flags are set, the processing unit generates a flag signal and sends the flag signal to the security / auxiliary pole 40, which causes one or more indicator lights ( (Not shown) is turned on. Paul is
"Authorization request", "confirmation request", "suspicious crime violation",
A "customer assistance request / request", and thereby others to which the processing unit 80 has sent some flag signals, can be displayed.

From the above description, it is not necessary to wait until the end of the transaction, but at the time of encountering an item or action requiring attention, such as age confirmation at the time of alcohol purchase, if any. It is to be understood that the indicator lights of can be set (lit). This scenario speeds up transactions where staff can check the ID (in the case of age verification) when appropriate and / or in a hurry. Therefore, in addition,
This scenario can be applied to the operation of other indicator lights, flags (security assistance) and displays on the operator terminal. Both of these have already been described, and some will be described below.

As shown by way of example in FIG.
The flag set at checkout station 1 also causes message 62 to be displayed on touch screen display 72 of surveillance terminal 60. Message 62 provides surveillance staff 70 with an additional indication that surveillance staff is needed to perform authorization, confirmation, price checks, or other surveillance activities. The touch screen display 72 of the surveillance staff also activates the well known telephone auto-dial mechanism calling "911" and activates additional security devices (not shown) such as microphones and video cameras for a virtual "security emergency." The key 61 is displayed. The automatic 911 call alerts the local police of a security emergency, such as a robbery case. The surveillance staff's touch screen display 72 also comprises a virtual authorization key 64 adjacent to each corresponding message 62 for an individual self-checkout station 1. In this case, the surveillance staff 70 will post a virtual authorization after all surveillance staff activities for a particular self-checkout station 1 have been completed (eg, checking of the customer's 2 driver's license for alcohol or cigarette purchases). The key 64 can be pressed.

The touch screen display 72 of the monitoring staff also has a virtual button 62 which, when pressed, causes a processing unit (not shown) in the monitoring terminal device 60 to display a screen other than the monitoring screen shown in FIG.
Has a virtual menu key 63 which provides a screen for the refreshed surveillance staff touch screen display 72 with. Such additional screens include inventory screens, daily daily sales screens, entire sales shift screens, troubleshooting screens for remote function checks of selected self-checkout station 1, external computer (not shown). ), A batch download screen for communicating with, a configuration monitoring screen for selecting which of the plurality of self-service terminals 10 is being monitored by the monitoring terminal 60, a ignore function screen, a parameter, A remote configuration screen for changing the displayed promotion and settings used by one or more self-checkout stations 10.
And other screens associated with the convenience store monitoring operations.

If none of the purchased items require age verification, or any other intervention by the monitoring staff 70, the monitoring touchscreen display 72 will display at the particular self-checkout station 1. Message 6 indicating a successful checkout
Display 2. The processing unit of the monitoring terminal 60 can be configured to require approval of all transactions and the pressing of the virtual approval key 64 for all transactions, or virtual approval if monitoring activity is required. Key 64
It can also be configured to require only pressing.

At step 150, the checkout process of the customer 2 is completed. Customer 2 presses a virtual key or icon 53 to inform self-service terminal 10 that he wants to end his checkout operation. If the customer 2 was not flagged during the checkout operation, or if the virtual authorization key 64 corresponding to a particular customer 2's self-checkout station 1 is (if applicable) the monitoring staff 70.
Customer 2 pays for what he / she purchased, depending on the payment option he selected in step 100, or if he did not specify a payment option at the beginning of the transaction. , Customer 2
Selects the type of payment in a similar or the same manner as described in step 100. In the preferred embodiment, an additional virtual key (not shown) is displayed on the customer's 2 touchscreen display 12, which key allows the customer 2 to select the payment previously made in step 100. Provide options to change the method. To further describe step 150, touch screen display 12 displays the full price for the scanned item. The customer 2 then uses the cash and coin accepting device 69, or the card reader 13 and, if desired, an appropriate one of the signature readers 88, to make the payment. Specific self checkout
The processing unit 80 for station 1 receives payment information from the payment device used by customer 2.

For example, when the customer 2 selects a credit card as the payment type, the customer presses the virtual “OK” button 52 on the touch screen display 12 to purchase the money “OK”. The message on the touch screen display 12 may provide instructions to approve that. If the signature pad 88 is in use, the customer 2 can enter his signature by using the signature pad 88 to verify that his credit card is authentic. Touch screen display 12
Can give instructions. The digitized customer signature is stored in memory 84 for future reference in the event of a dispute regarding a particular checkout process. The signing process can be carried out by communication between a particular self-checkout station 1 and an external credit database maintained, for example, by a credit card company. After capturing the signature of the customer 2, the signature recognition pad 88 sends the digitized signature information to the processing unit 80, which stores the information in memory 84 and / or hosts the information.・ Computer (not shown)
Send to. The host computer then stores these signatures in the storage location file. The transaction file containing the transaction details is stored in the host computer, while the processing unit 80 sends a signature to the touch screen 12 to inform the customer 2 that the transaction is complete.

If the processing unit 80 determines that it has received the full payment, the processing unit 80 informs the monitoring terminal device 60 that the checkout at the self-service terminal device 10 is complete, and Instruct the printer 17 to print a paper receipt. The customer 2 receives the receipt from the printer 17,
Take the product in your bag and leave the convenience store.

Self Checkout Station 1
Touch screen display 12 is not limited to any particular format (eg, FIG. 9) and can display any one or more pages that can be stored in memory 84. More specifically, the touch screen display 12 is a memory 84 from an external computer (not shown) through an intranet including the Internet, a LAN, and a WAN.
Promotional advertisements (not shown) may be displayed that are loaded into the. For example, an external server computer can address one self-checkout station 1 or a group of self-checkout stations 1 to download or update a page for display. In this way, the touch screen display 12 can display a more user-friendly screen and a new screen according to the customer 2 profile. The profile can be obtained by accumulating selections for a particular customer 2. The profile information may reside in memory 84 for displaying the pages in the order specified by the profile.

Similarly, the self-checkout station 1 can store information about a particular customer's 2 purchases and touch screen selections. This customer behavior information can be uploaded from the self-checkout station 1 to the external computer. A database (not shown) in communication with the external computer can access additional information about the particular customer 2 to enhance and improve the profile information.

According to one aspect, the present invention is a scalable self-checkout system that allows the self-checkout system to be configured in any layout and adapted to various capacities.
11 and 12 show two exemplary basic configurations.

Referring to FIG. 11, this figure illustrates an exemplary configuration of a self-checkout system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This self-checkout system comprises a monitoring terminal device 6 in communication with a plurality of self-checkout systems (SCOS) 1.
Has 0. The monitoring terminal device 60 selectively checks any one of the plurality of self-checkout systems 1, or an arbitrary number (including all) of the plurality of self-checkout systems 1. Works to selectively check. Therefore, due to the current use and / or capacity of the various self-checkout systems 1, the person using the monitoring terminal 60 may monitor 1
One or more self-checkout systems 1 can be selected.

Referring to FIG. 12, this figure is another exemplary configuration of a self-checkout system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This self-checkout system has several self-checkout systems.
It has a plurality of monitoring terminals 60 in communication with the checkout system 1. Each monitoring terminal device 60 selectively checks any one of the plurality of self-checkout systems 1 or selects any (including all) of the plurality of self-checkout systems 1. Operates to selectively check the number. Therefore, one monitoring terminal device 60 can monitor one of the plurality of self-checkout stations 1, while
Another one or some of the plurality of monitoring terminals 60 can monitor another self-checkout station 1. Alternatively, each monitoring terminal 60 has a set of self-checkout systems 1
Can be monitored.

By using the system of FIGS. 11 and 12, the user (monitoring staff) can select one or several of the plurality of self-checkout systems 1 to be monitored. FIG. 13 shows the monitoring terminal device 60, in particular the screen 200 of the monitoring terminal device 60. Screen 200 operates to display the various self-checkout systems being monitored (under control of monitoring terminal 60). In this example, the screen 200 is divided into five arbitrary areas, and the area 202 is a self-checkout system (SCO).
S) # 1 is monitored, area 204 monitors SCOS # 3, area 208 monitors SCOS # 2, area 210 monitors SCOS # 6, and area 206 is reserved for other data. . Each area of the screen 200 can change due to zoom and other factors. Also, the screen 200 can have only one area if only one self-checkout system 1 is being monitored, and more than one self-checkout system 1 and other data. Can have more than one area when monitoring. Specific self-checkout such as consumer information after time and date, shopper value card etc. have been scanned or entered into the self-checkout system 1 and any other data / information. While monitoring system 1, various corresponding or related information or data can be checked.

Whether one or more monitoring terminals are monitoring one or more self-checkout stations depends on the self-checkout
It also depends on the current capacity of the station, the number of surveillance staff available, and other factors. Various scenarios can be achieved using the scalable self-checkout system of the present invention.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a checkout island of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified top view of a checkout counter of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 (A) shows a bag according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a separation post for use in the bagging assembly of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a simple front view of a self-service terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a simplified front view of a security / auxiliary pole of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is an illustration of a security / auxiliary pole of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As a lens.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of communication functioning as an interface between elements of the self-checkout station of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a currency and coin receiving device and change assembly of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of self-checkout of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a touch-screen display of a self-service terminal in the case of a payment selection mode as an example of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a screen of a monitoring terminal device in a monitoring mode as an example of the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of the system of the present invention showing the scalable functionality of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of another exemplary configuration of the system of the present invention showing the scalable functionality of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary drawing of a screen of a surveillance terminal device in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Marshall Robert Millikan             United States 30024 Georgia             Suwanee Grand Avenue 51 F term (reference) 3E042 AA05 BA10 BA13 CA02 CB03                       EA01                 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA11 AA23 AA28                       BB03 BB11 BB75 DD05 DD20                       EE05 EE12 FF01 FF02 FF05                       FF19 FF20 GG57 GG72 GG83

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A system for self-checkout, each of which comprises a plurality of self-checkout terminal devices for self-service purchase, including a display, a scanner and a payment acceptance device, each of said plurality of self-checkout terminals. A self-checkout terminal device for communicating with a self-checkout terminal device and having a display for selectively monitoring purchase activity occurring at any one or some of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. A system for self-checkout with a working monitoring terminal. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring terminal device operates to approve and authorize any monitored purchase activity. 3. Each self-checkout terminal device comprises:
In addition, at each one of the plurality of self-checkout terminals, inform the surveillance staff when the consumer needs at least one of help and / or authorization to purchase. The system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a security / auxiliary indicator operative for the purpose. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the monitoring terminal is located in close proximity to the plurality of self-checkout terminals. 5. The display of each self-checkout terminal device is a touch screen.
The system according to claim 4. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring terminal device includes a communication unit that operates to perform two-way communication between the monitoring terminal device and an external computer. . 7. The two-way communication is an intranet, L
7. The system of claim 6, using at least one of AN and Internet. 8. The two-way communication is an intranet, L
The system according to claim 6 or 7, which uses wireless network communication within at least one of the AN and the Internet. 9. A system for self-checkout, each self-checkout terminal device for self-service purchase comprising a scanner, a display and a payment acceptance device, each self-checkout device. A self-communication comprising: a plurality of monitoring terminals in communication with a checkout terminal and operating to monitor purchase activity of any one or some of the plurality of self-checkout terminals.
Checkout system. 10. Each of the monitoring terminal devices of the plurality of monitoring terminal devices selects one of the self-checkout terminal devices or a selected number of the other monitoring terminal devices of the plurality of monitoring terminal devices. 10. The system of claim 9, operative to concurrently monitor purchase activity of the. 11. Each self-checkout terminal device requires at least one of a consumer's help for purchase and approval of purchase at one of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. If
The system of claim 10 including a security / auxiliary indicator operative to notify surveillance staff thereof. 12. A monitoring terminal device exclusively monitors, with respect to another monitoring terminal device, one selected operation or some selected purchase operations among the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. The system according to claim 9 or 10, which operates. 13. Each self-checkout terminal device requires at least one of a consumer's help to purchase and a purchase authorization at one of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. If
13. A system according to any one of claims 9-12 including a security / auxiliary indicator operative to inform the surveillance staff thereof. 14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring terminal device is located in the immediate vicinity of the plurality of self-checkout terminal devices. 15. A method for self-checkout, comprising a plurality of self-checkout terminal devices, each having a scanner, a display and a payment receiving device, operative to make a self-service purchase. And a purchase operation being performed at any one or any number of the plurality of self-checkout terminals, each communicating with each of the plurality of self-checkout terminals. Providing a plurality of monitoring terminals operative for monitoring, and any one or more of the plurality of monitoring terminals providing any one of the plurality of self-checkout terminals. Monitoring purchase activity currently taking place at one or any number of several. 16. Currently performed by any one or more of the plurality of monitoring terminals at any one or any number of the plurality of self-checkout terminals. The step of monitoring the purchase behavior of the plurality of self-monitoring
Exclusively monitoring the selected one or some selected purchasing activities of the checkout terminal device,
The method according to claim 15. 17. The staff at one of the plurality of self-checkout terminals, when the customer needs at least one of help for purchase and approval of purchase, monitoring staff. Monitoring security / auxiliary indicators associated with each self-checkout terminal operating to inform
The method according to claim 16. 18. Currently performed by any one or more of the plurality of surveillance terminals at any one or any number of the plurality of self-checkout terminals. The step of monitoring the purchase behavior of the plurality of self-monitoring
Exclusively monitoring the selected one or some selected purchasing activities of the checkout terminal device,
18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 19. Further, at one of the plurality of self-checkout terminals, when a customer needs at least one of help for purchase and approval of purchase, it is possible to monitor it. Monitoring security / auxiliary indicators associated with each self-checkout terminal operating to inform
The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18. 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of placing each monitoring terminal in the immediate vicinity of the plurality of self-checkout terminals.