-
The present invention relates generally to a checkout system, and more
particularly to an apparatus and method for operating a checkout system
having an electronic security deactivation device associated therewith.
-
In the retail industry, the largest expenditures are typically the cost of
the goods sold followed closely by the cost of labor expended. With particular
regard to the retail grocery or supermarket industry, the impetus to reduce
labor costs has focused on reducing or eliminating the amount of time required
to handle and/or process the items or goods to be purchased by a customer.
To this end, there have been a number of self-service checkout systems
developed which attempt to substantially eliminate the need for a checkout
clerk.
-
A self-service checkout system is operated by a customer without the
aid of a checkout clerk. Hence, during operation of a self-service checkout
system, the customer scans individual items for purchase across a scanner
and then places the scanned items into a grocery bag, if desired. The
customer then pays for his or her purchases either at the self-service checkout
system if so equipped, or at a central payment area which is staffed by a store
employee. Thus, a self-service checkout system permits a customer to select,
itemize, and in some cases pay for his or her purchases without the
assistance of the retailer's personnel.
-
It should be appreciated that a given retailer may have a number of
reservations in regard to implementation of self-service checkout systems into
the retailer's operation. For example, certain self-service checkout systems
which have heretofore been designed are more expensive relative to assisted
checkout systems (i.e. retail checkout systems which are operated by an
employee of the retailer such as a checkout clerk). The higher cost associated
with a self-service checkout system is typically due to the fact that the system
itself must perform functions that would normally be performed by the
checkout clerk operating the checkout system thereby increasing the number
of components associated with the self-service checkout system. For
instance, in the case of a self-service checkout system, the system must
provide security from improprieties such as theft. Moreover, in certain self-service
checkout systems, the checkout system itself must collect payment
from the customer for his or her items for purchase. It is the cost of the
hardware and software necessary to provide such functions to the self-service
checkout system which in certain cases cause the cost of the system to
typically exceed the cost of an assisted checkout system.
-
Moreover, a number of retailers fear that the retailer's customers may
not embrace the idea of using self-service checkout systems to checkout their
items for purchase thereby potentially causing the systems to go unused in the
retailer's store. In such a situation, the retailer would have expended a
relatively substantial sum of money for a checkout system which is not being
utilized thereby increasing costs associated with the retailer's operation.
-
Yet further, it is generally recognized that a well-trained checkout clerk
is capable of completing a checkout transaction in a more timely manner
relative to an untrained customer. Accordingly, during periods of peak
demand within the retailer's store, it is desirable for the retailer to operate a
relatively large number of assisted checkout systems in order to expedite the
checkout process thereby preventing customers from undesirably being forced
to wait in long checkout queues. However, during periods of lesser demand
within the retailer's store, it is desirable for the retailer to operate a relatively
large number of self-service checkout systems in order to reduce the number
of employees (i.e. checkout clerks) that the retailer must have present in the
store. Hence, a compromise must be made between the number of assisted
checkout systems and the number of self-service checkout systems which are
installed in the retailer's store.
-
What is needed therefore is a checkout system which overcomes one
or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. What is particularly needed is a
low-cost, easy-to-operate checkout system that may be operated as either an
assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system. What is further
needed is a checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted
checkout system or a self-service checkout system that can be quickly and
easily converted between the two types of systems.
-
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a method of operating a self-service checkout terminal having (i) a
scanner, and (ii) a security deactivation device for deactivating a security tag
associated with an item for purchase. The method includes the step of
determining a product code associated with the item for purchase when a
customer advances the item for purchase through a scanner detection zone
associated with the scanner. The method also includes the step of operating
the security deactivation device so as to deactivate the security tag associated
with the item for purchase when the item for purchase is advanced through the
scanner detection zone by the customer.
-
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a self-service checkout terminal. The terminal includes a
scanner for entering a product code associated with an item for purchase.
The terminal also includes a security deactivation device for deactivating a
security tag associated with the item for purchase. Moreover, the terminal
includes a processing unit electrically coupled to both the scanner and the
security deactivation device. Yet further, the terminal includes a memory
device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has
stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the
processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) determine the product code
associated with the item for purchase when a customer advances the item for
purchase through a scanner detection zone associated with the scanner, and
(b) operate the security deactivation device so as to deactivate the security tag
associated with the item for purchase when the item for purchase is advanced
through the scanner detection zone by the customer.
-
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a method of operating a self-service checkout terminal having a
scanner and a security deactivation device for deactivating a security tag
associated with an item for purchase. The method includes the step of
determining a product code associated with the item for purchase when a
customer advances the item for purchase through a scanner detection zone
associated with the scanner. The method also includes the step of generating
a deactivation field proximate to the scanner zone with the security
deactivation device. Moreover, the method includes the step of deactivating
the security tag associated with the item for purchase when the item for
purchase is advanced through the deactivation field by the customer.
-
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
useful checkout system.
-
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retail checkout system which
incorporates the features of the present invention therein, note that the
checkout system is shown configured in its assisted checkout system
configuration;
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational of the personnel side of the checkout
system of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the customer side of the checkout
system of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the checkout system of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the checkout system
configured in its self-service checkout system configuration;
- FIG. 6 is a side elevational of the personnel side of the checkout
system of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the customer side of the checkout
system of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of the checkout system of FIG. 5;
- FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of the checkout system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing the power distribution
architecture of the checkout system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 11 is a plan view similar to FIGS. 4 and 8 which shows the scanner
assembly during rotation thereof;
- FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the checkout system of
FIGS. 1-4 which shows the takeaway belt mechanism in its extended position;
- FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the takeaway belt
mechanism in its retracted position;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a transaction receipt that is printed by
the checkout system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIGS. 12 and 13, but showing the set-aside
shelf positioned in its self-service position;
- FIG. 16 is a plan view similar to FIG. 4 which shows a shopping cart
and basket positioned proximate to the checkout system;
- FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of the checkout system of
FIG. 1 which shows a "flatbed" scanner which may be utilized in the
construction of the checkout system;
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the support arm assembly which is
utilized to support the interactive customer interface terminal of the checkout
system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 19 is a plan view which shows the interactive customer interface
terminal positioned in its assisted position;
- FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but showing the interactive
customer interface terminal positioned in its self-service position;
- FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the interactive customer
interface terminal of the checkout system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of the paging system of the
checkout system of FIGS. 1-8;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view which shows the personnel interface
terminal of the checkout system of FIGS. 1-8 in its assisted position;
- FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but showing the personnel interface
terminal in its self-service position;
- FIG. 25 is a flowchart which shows a general procedure or routine for
operating the checkout system of the present invention in its assisted mode of
operation;
- FIG. 26 is a flowchart which shows the scale security routine for
providing security during operation of the checkout system of the present
invention;
- FIG. 27 is a flowchart which shows the video security routine for
providing security during operation of the checkout system of the present
invention;
- FIG. 28 is a flowchart which shows a general procedure or routine for
operating the checkout system of the present invention in its self-service mode
of operation;
- FIG. 29 is view similar to FIG. 1, but showing an alternative
embodiment of a terminal cabinet which may be utilized in certain
configurations of the checkout system of the present invention;
- FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a self-service
checkout system which incorporates the features of the present invention
therein; and
- FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30, but showing a second embodiment
of a self-service checkout system which incorporates the features of the
present invention therein.
-
-
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the
particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
-
Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown a retail checkout terminal or
system 10 for use in a retail business such as a grocery store. The checkout
system 10 is configured to perform a number of retail functions such as
assisted checkout functions and unassisted or "self-service" checkout
functions. What is meant herein by the term "assisted checkout functions" or
"assisted checkout transactions" are those checkout functions or transactions
performed by a checkout system when the checkout system is being operated
by retail personnel such as a clerk or associate which is employed by the
retailer to operate the checkout system. For example, an assisted checkout
function or transaction would be performed by the checkout system 10 in
response to a store-employed clerk scanning or otherwise entering a
customers items for purchase into the checkout system, and thereafter
depressing a payment-received key on the checkout system which indicates
that the customer paid for such items. Accordingly, what is meant herein by
the phrase "assisted mode of operation" is a configuration of the checkout
system 10 which allows the system 10 to perform an assisted checkout
function or transaction.
-
Moreover, what is meant herein by the term "self-service checkout
functions" or "self-service checkout transactions" are those checkout functions
or transactions which are performed by a checkout system by the customer
himself or herself without the assistance of a clerk or other personnel
employed by the retailer. For example, a self-service checkout function or
transaction would be performed by the checkout system 10 in response to a
customer himself or herself scanning or otherwise entering items for purchase
into the checkout system, and thereafter depressing a payment key on the
checkout system which indicates the manner by which the customer intends to
pay for such items (e.g. by interaction with a credit/debit card reader or a
currency acceptor). Accordingly, what is meant herein by the phrase "self-service
mode of operation" is a configuration of the checkout system 10 which
allows the system 10 to perform a self-service checkout function or
transaction.
-
In addition, what is meant herein by the term "customer" is a person
who enters a retailer's store, selects his or her items for purchase from the
shopping area of the store, checks out his or items for purchase at a checkout
system such as the checkout system 10 (including tendering payment for his
or her items for purchase), and then exits the store subsequent to tendering
payment. Hence, as used herein, a customer is distinguished from retail
personnel such as a checkout clerk or other employee of the retailer in that a
customer enters the retailer's store for the sole purpose of purchasing items
from the store. Moreover, what is meant herein by the term "retail personnel"
is a person that is employed by the retailer to perform a retail activity such as
operation of a checkout system such as the checkout system 10 for the
purpose of conducting a retail transaction such as an assisted checkout
transaction. Examples of retail personnel include a checkout clerk or
customer service manager. Also, the term "user" is herein used to refer to any
operator of the checkout system 10. Accordingly, a user may be retail
personnel, a customer, or any other person who operates the checkout system
10.
-
The checkout system 10 includes a pre-scan area 12, an itemization
area 14, a payment area 16, and a post-scan area 18. The pre-scan area 12
includes an item transport mechanism such as an input belt mechanism 20
which includes an input belt 22. As will be discussed below in greater detail,
the input belt mechanism 20 is utilized to convey items for purchase toward
the itemization area 14 in order for the items to be scanned by a user of the
checkout system 10.
-
The pre-scan area 12 also includes an upstream item sensor 98 and a
downstream item sensor 100. The item sensors 98, 100 are preferably
embodied as known photodetector devices which are capable of detecting
presence of an item at predetermined locations on the input belt 22 when a
light beam respectively generated the sensors 98, 100 is interrupted by an
item. However, it should be appreciated that the item sensors 98, 100 may
alternatively be embodied as any type of sensor which is capable of detecting
presence of items on the input belt 22. The item sensors 98, 100 are provided
to facilitate item movement from an upstream location to a downstream
location on the input belt 22. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are
used herein to be consistent with the flow of items through the checkout
system 10 during a typical checkout procedure. In particular, an item enters at
the area proximate the pre-scan 12 then flows in a downstream direction to be
scanned or otherwise entered at the itemization area 14. Once the item is
scanned or otherwise entered at the itemization area 14, the item flows from
the itemization area 14 in a downstream direction to the post-scan area 18.
-
The upstream item sensor 98 is provided to determine when a customer
places an item on an upstream end portion 22a of the input belt 22. Although
only a single item sensor 98 is shown in FIGS. 1-8, it should be appreciated
that any number of item sensors 98 may be utilized so as to detect item
placement at any location on the upstream end portion 22a of the input belt
22. As described below in greater detail, once the item sensor 98 detects
presence of an item on the upstream end portion 22a of the input belt 22, the
motor (not shown) associated with the input belt mechanism 20 is actuated so
as to advance the input belt 22 thereby causing the item to be advanced in a
downstream direction toward the itemization area 14. More specifically,
actuation of the motor associated with the input belt mechanism 20 causes the
item to be advanced in a downstream direction until it reaches a
predetermined location at a downstream end portion 22b of the input belt. As
can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 8, the downstream end portion 22b of the input
belt 22 is upstream of the itemization area 14. Once the item is advanced to
the predetermined location at the downstream end portion 22b of the input belt
22, presence of the item is detected by the downstream item sensor 100 which
in turn causes the motor associated with the input belt mechanism 20 to be
deactuated thereby halting advancement of the item at a position in which the
item can be easily scanned or otherwise entered by a customer (in the case of
when the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of
operation) or a checkout clerk (in the case of the were the checkout system 10
is being operated in its assisted mode of operation).
-
The itemization area 14 of the checkout system includes a scanner 24
and a product scale 26. The scanner 24 conventionally scans or reads a
product identification code such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), industrial
symbol(s), alphanumeric character(s), or other indicia associated with an item
to be purchased. One scanner which may be used in the present invention is
a model number 7875 bi-optic scanner which is commercially available from
NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.
-
The scanner 24 includes a first scanning window 24a and a second
scanning window 24b. The first scanning window 24a is disposed in a
substantially horizontal manner, whereas the second scanning window 24b is
disposed in a substantially vertical manner, as shown in FIG. 2. More
specifically, the checkout system 10 includes a number of cabinets 28, 30, 32.
A portion of the cabinets 28, 30, 32 define a terminal base 34 which has a
substantially horizontal upper surface 36. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the
horizontal scanning window 24a is disposed in a relatively flush-mount
arrangement with the upper surface 36 of the terminal base 34. Moreover, the
product scale 26 is integrated with the scanner 24. More specifically, the
product scale 26 is disposed substantially parallel to the upper surface 36 of
the terminal base 34 and hence the horizontal scanning window 24a thereby
enveloping the horizontal scanning window 24a. If an item such as produce is
placed upon the product scale 26 or the horizontal scanning window 24a, the
product scale 26 may be used to determine the weight of the item.
-
The scanner 24 also 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, a laser beam reflects off the rotating mirror
and mirror array to produce a pattern of scanning light beams. As the product
identification code on an item is passed over the scanner 24, the scanning
light beams scatter off the code and are returned to the scanner 24 where they
are collected and detected. The reflected light is then analyzed electronically
in order to determine whether the reflected light contains a valid code pattern.
If a valid code pattern is present, the product identification code may then be
utilized to retrieve product information associated with the item (e.g. the price
of the item).
-
The scanner 24 and the product scale 26 are movably mounted to the
terminal base 34. In particular, the scanner 24 and the product scale 26 are
rotatably mounted to a support platform such as a sliding drawer assembly 38.
Use of the sliding drawer assembly 38 allows the scanner 24 and the product
scale 26 to be rotated relative to the terminal base 34 so as to be operated by
either a customer or a checkout clerk. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, the
sliding drawer assembly 38 may be slid out from the terminal base 34 into its
extended position such that the scanner 24 (and hence the product scale 26)
may be rotated between an assisted scanner position (see FIGS. 1-4) in which
the scanner 24 is operable by a checkout clerk, and a self-service scanner
position (see FIGS. 5-8) in which the scanner 24 is operable by a customer.
Thereafter, the sliding drawer assembly is slid back into its retracted position
within the interior of the terminal base 34 such that operation of the scanner 24
by the checkout clerk or the customer may be commenced.
-
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the checkout system 10 has a customer
side 40 and a personnel side 42. More specifically, the terminal base 34
divides the checkout system 10 into the customer side 40 which is the side of
the checkout system 10 where the customer is positioned during a checkout
transaction, and the personnel side 42 which is the side of the checkout
system 10 where retail personnel such as a checkout clerk is located during a
checkout transaction. A customer is positioned on the customer side 40 of the
checkout system 10 irrespective of whether the system 10 is being operated to
perform an assisted checkout transaction or a self-service checkout
transaction, whereas retail personnel is at all times positioned on the
personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10. Use of the rotating scanner 24
facilitates such "same side" operation of the checkout system 10. In particular,
as shown in FIGS. 1-4, rotation of the scanner 24 into its assisted scanner
position causes the vertical scanning window 24b to face the personnel side
42 of the checkout system 10, whereas rotation of the scanner 24 into its self-service
scanner position causes the vertical scanning window 24b to face the
customer side 40 of the checkout system 10 (see FIGS. 5-8). Such a system
configuration (i.e. use of the rotating scanner 24 to cause the customer to be
positioned on the customer side 40 of the checkout system 10 irrespective of
whether the system 10 is being operated to perform an assisted checkout
transaction or a self-service checkout transaction, and retail personnel to be
positioned on the personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10) is particularly
useful for enhancing system component layout and system placement within
the store.
-
The itemization area 14 also includes a security deactivation device 172
(see FIGS. 4 and 8). The security deactivation device 172 is provided to
deactivate or otherwise disable security tags associated with an electronic
article surveillance (EAS) system. In particular, certain items sold by the
retailer may have an electronic tag secured thereto. Such electronic tags are
generally a label or "clip-on" mechanism which has an electronic transponder
imbedded therein which triggers an alarm if the item is taken from the retailer's
store without the tag being deactivated or otherwise disabled beforehand. It
should be appreciated that such tags are generally secured to items that are
expensive in nature, but as the cost associated with such electronic tags
continues to decrease, more and more items associated with a given retail
operation may be equipped with such electronic tags.
-
In any event, the electronic tags associated with EAS systems are
deactivated by exposing the tag to a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field
such as an RF field. The security deactivation device 172 of the present
invention generates such a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during
operation of the checkout system 10 so as to deactivate electronic tags
associated with items for purchase as the items are scanned with the scanner
24. In particular, the security deactivation device 172 generates a deactivation
field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a scanner
detection zone associated with the scanner 24. What is meant herein by the
term "scanner detection zone" is the area proximate the scanning windows
24a, 24b of the scanner 24 which defines the maximum range in which an item
can be successfully scanned as it is passed across the scanner 24. Security
deactivation devices which are suitable for use as the security deactivation
device 172 of the present invention are commercially available from
Checkpoint Systems, Incorporated of Thorofare, New Jersey (in the case of an
RF field generator) and Sensormatic Electronics Corporation of Boca Raton,
Florida (in the case of a magnetic field generator).
-
By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection
zone, a scanning motion utilized to scan an item with the scanner 24 causes
the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the
electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion. Such
utilization of the security deactivation device 172 is particularly useful when the
checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In
particular, by "automatically" deactivating the electronic security tag when the
item is being scanned by a customer (i.e. deactivating the tag during a
scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional
operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the
store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have
required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized
area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has
completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which
of the customer's items contain electronic security tags that need to be
deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic
security tags associated with the customer's items for purchase. It should be
appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her
items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds
cost to the retailer's operation (e.g. the cost associated with staffing the
centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the
customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailers
store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue
is present at the centralized area.
-
Utilization of the security deactivation device 172 of the present
invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout
systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of
items into the checkout system 10 by the customer. In particular, utilization of
the security deactivation device 172 eliminates the need for the retail clerk to
intervene into the customer's transaction thereby reducing labor costs
associated with the retailer's operation, along with increasing convenience to
the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or
queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the
scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as
a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a
separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby
reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during
operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of operation.
-
It should be appreciated that the security deactivation device 172 may
be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g. the
magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field
once the product code associated with the item has been captured by the
scanner 24. In particular, under the premise that if the customer is making an
attempt to scan the item, the customer is likely not trying to commit an
impropriety such as theft, the security deactivation device 172 may be
configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the
electronic security tag is deactivated irrespective of whether or not the product
code associated with the item is actually captured with the scanner 24. For
example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner 24 (by
advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code
associated with the item facing one of the scanning windows 24a, 24b), but
the product code is not captured by the scanner 24 for any reason, the
security deactivation device 172, if configured to continuously produce the
deactivation field, causes the electronic security tag to be deactivated even
though the item was not actually entered in the checkout system 10.
However, in the case of operation of the checkout system 10 by an honest
customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once
the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g. by re-scanning
the item or manually entering the product code). It should be
appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual
entry of the item since the customer is not generally made aware of the fact
that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.
-
However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security
tag is prematurely deactivated without the item being subsequently entered in
the checkout system 10, the security deactivation device 172 may be
configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code
associated with the item has been entered into the checkout system 10. In
particular, a control signal is generated when a product code associated with
an item is captured by the scanner 24. In response to generation of such a
control signal, the security deactivation device 172 may be instantaneously
actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the
electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a
configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field
generated by the security deactivation device 172 may be configured to
ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a scanning motion or
subsequent handling motion (e.g. the motion associated with placement of the
item into the post-scan area 18).
-
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the payment area 16 of the checkout
system 10 includes the system components necessary to allow a customer to
perform retail finalization functions such as tendering payment for his or her
items for purchase and printing of transaction receipts. In particular, the
payment area 16 of the checkout system 10 includes an electronic payment
terminal 44 having a card reader and keypad, a pair of currency acceptors
such as a coin acceptor 46 and a bill acceptor 50, a corresponding pair of
currency dispensers such as a coin dispenser 48 and a bill dispenser 52, and
a receipt printer 54. As shown in FIG. 1, the system components associated
with the payment area 16 are positioned to face the customer side 40 of the
checkout system 10 so as to be accessible to a customer during a checkout
transaction.
-
The system components associated with the payment area 16 of the
checkout system 10 are provided to allow the customer to tender payment for
his or her items for purchase when the checkout system 10 is being operated
in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, once the customer has
entered all of his or her items for purchase into the checkout terminal 10
during a self-service checkout transaction, the components associated with
the payment area 16 are utilized to complete the self-service checkout
transaction by (1) allowing payment to be tendered by either insertion of
currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. the coin acceptor 46 and/or the bill
acceptor 50), charging a credit card or debit card account, or decreasing a
value amount stored on a smart card via the electronic payment terminal 44,
and (2) printing a transaction receipt with the receipt printer 54. In the case of
when a customer inserts currency into the coin acceptor 46 and/or the bill
acceptor 50, the checkout system 10 may provide change via a currency
dispenser (i.e. the coin dispenser 48 and/or the bill dispenser 52).
-
However, the system components associated with the payment area 16
of the checkout system 10 are also provided to enhance the efficiency and
throughput associated with operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted
mode of operation. In particular, once the checkout clerk operating the
checkout system 10 to perform the assisted checkout transaction has entered
the last of the customer's items for purchase, the system components
associated with the payment area 16 may be utilized to finalize or otherwise
complete the customer's transaction without additional intervention or
assistance from the checkout clerk. In particular, as the checkout clerk begins
to enter items associated with a subsequent checkout transaction, the
customer may tender payment for the previous checkout transaction by either
inserting currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. the coin acceptor 46 and/or
the bill acceptor 50), charging a credit card or debit card account, or
decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via the electronic payment
terminal 44. In the case of when a customer inserts currency into the coin
acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50, the checkout system 10 may provide
change via a currency dispenser (i.e. the coin dispenser 48 and/or the bill
dispenser 52). Thereafter, a transaction receipt is printed by the receipt printer
54 for presentation to the customer without assistance from retail personnel.
-
As described, use of the system components associated with the
payment area 16 of the checkout system 10 provides numerous advantages to
the checkout system 10 of the present invention. For example, by operating
the checkout system 10 such that payment is tendered by the customer by use
of the currency acceptor (i.e. the coin acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50)
or the electronic payment device 44 without the assistance of the checkout
clerk allows the checkout clerk to begin a subsequent transaction while the
customer completes the current transaction thereby enhancing the efficiency
and throughput associated with the checkout system 10. Similarly, operation
of the electronic payment terminal 44 and generation of the transaction receipt
on the customer side 40 of the checkout system 10 allows the customer to
complete his or her transaction without further assistance from the checkout
clerk thereby further enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with
the checkout system 10.
-
The post-scan area 18 includes an item transport mechanism such as a
takeaway belt mechanism 56 having a takeaway belt 58. Moreover, the post-scan
area 18 includes a includes a self-service bagwell 60 (see FIG. 1) and an
assisted bagwell 62 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). The bagwells 60, 62 are provided to
accommodate one or more grocery containers such as grocery bags (not
shown). In particular, the self-service bagwell 60 is configured to allow two or
more grocery bags to be accessed by the customer at any given time thereby
allowing a customer to selectively load various item types into the grocery
bags during operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of
operation. For example, during a self-service checkout transaction, the
customer may desire to use a first grocery bag for household chemical items
such as soap or bleach, and a second grocery bag for edible items such as
meat and produce in order to keep the two types of items separate.
-
Similarly, the assisted bagwell 62 is configured to allow two or more
grocery bags to be accessed by the checkout clerk at any given time thereby
allowing the clerk to selectively load various item types into the grocery bags
during operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted mode of operation.
Such a configuration of the assisted bagwell 62 is particularly useful when the
checkout system 10 is being operated by a checkout clerk to perform an
"express" checkout transaction in which the total number of items for purchase
in the transaction is relatively small and can therefore be bagged in a small
number of grocery bags.
-
The takeaway belt mechanism 56 is provided to transport items which
have been scanned with the scanner 24 or otherwise entered into the
checkout system 10 to a bagging counter 66 where the items are placed into
grocery bags or the like by a bagging clerk. Hence, as described herein, the
self-service bagwell 60, the assisted bagwell 62, and the bagging counter 66
define the three bagging stations associated with the checkout system 10.
The takeaway belt 58 of the takeaway belt mechanism 56 is slidably secured
to the terminal base 34. In particular, the takeaway belt 58 may be slid
between an extended position (see FIG. 12) and a retracted position (see FIG.
13). As shown in FIG. 13, when the takeaway belt 58 is positioned in its
retracted position, an end portion 58a of the takeaway belt 58 is spaced apart
from the scanner 24 so as to expose an overhead access opening 62a
associated with the assisted bagwell 62 in order to allow the checkout clerk
operating the scanner 24 to place an item into a grocery bag within the
assisted bagwell 62 once the item has been scanned.
-
Conversely, as shown in FIG. 12, when the takeaway belt 58 is
positioned in its extended position, the end portion 58a of the takeaway belt 58
is positioned proximate to the scanner 24 in order to cover the overhead
access opening 62a associated with the assisted bagwell 62. Positioning the
takeaway belt 58 in its extended position allows the checkout clerk operating
the scanner 24 to place an item onto the takeaway belt 58 once the item has
been scanned thereby allowing the item to be transported to the bagging
counter 66 by the takeaway belt mechanism 56.
-
Hence, what is meant herein by the term "overhead access opening" is
a substantially downward ingress into one of the bagwells 60, 62 which allows
an item to be advanced in a substantially downward direction into one of the
grocery bags positioned in the bagwell 60, 62. For example, as shown in FIG.
13, the overhead access opening 62a associated with the assisted bagwell 62
is exposed when the takeaway belt 58 is positioned in its retracted position
thereby allowing the checkout clerk operating the scanner 24 to advance an
item in a substantially downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within
the assisted bagwell 62. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the overhead access
opening 62a associated with the assisted bagwell 62 is covered when the
takeaway belt 58 is positioned in its extended position thereby preventing the
checkout clerk from advancing an item in a substantially downward direction
into the assisted bagwell 62.
-
The post-scan area 18 also includes a security scale 68. The security
scale 68 is a weight scale which monitors the weight of items placed in either
the self-service bagwell 60 (i.e. into a grocery bag located in the bagwell 60) or
the assisted bagwell 62 (i.e. into a grocery bag located in the bagwell 62). As
shall be discussed below in greater detail, in addition to providing security by
monitoring item movement into and out of the self-service bagwell 60 during a
self-service checkout transaction, the security scale 68 is also utilized to
provide security by monitoring item movement into and out of the assisted
bagwell 62 during an assisted checkout transaction. Such monitoring during
an assisted checkout transaction is particularly useful to prevent
"sweethearting" in which the checkout clerk scans a first item, but then places
a second, more expensive item (or an item which hasn't been scanned at all)
into the customer's bag. Such "sweethearting" is generally the result of a
checkout clerk attempting to provide an improper benefit to a customer who is
an acquaintance of the checkout clerk. Use of a bagwell scale has heretofore
only been included in dedicated self-service checkout system designs.
However, since the checkout system 10 of the present invention includes the
security scale 68 for monitoring item movement during self-service checkout
transactions, the same scale (i.e. the security scale 68) can be utilized in a
novel manner by the systems and methods described herein to provide the
aforedescribed security during assisted checkout transactions without adding
additional costs to the design of the checkout system 10.
-
The post-scan area 18 of the checkout system further includes a set-aside
shelf 70. The set-aside shelf 70 is positionable in either an assisted
shelf position (see FIGS. 1, 12, and 13) or a self-service shelf position (see
FIGS. 5 and 15). The set-aside shelf 70 is provided to allow a user of the
system 10 (e.g. either a customer or a checkout clerk) to set an item aside
once the item has been scanned or otherwise entered into the system 10, but
prior to placing the item into a grocery bag within one of the bagwells 60, 62.
For example, if the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service
mode of operation, and a customer scans a loaf of bread, the customer may
want to place the bread onto the set-aside shelf 70 until one of the grocery
bags within the self-service bagwell 60 is nearly full thereby preventing the
bread from being crushed. Moreover, a vertical support structure 72 (see
FIGS. 1 and 5) mechanically couples the set-aside shelf 70 to a lower support
surface 74 of the bagwells 60, 62, which is in turn mechanically coupled to the
input plate or tray of the security scale 68. Hence, in addition to monitoring
placement and removal of items into and out of the bagwells 60, 62, the
security scale 68 is also utilized to monitor placement and removal of items
onto and off of the set-aside shelf 70.
-
The set-aside shelf 70 is movably secured to the terminal base 34 so
that a single shelf may be utilized by both retail personnel (when the checkout
system 10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation) and the
customer (when the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service
mode of operation). For example, the set-aside shelf 70 may be secured to
the terminal cabinet 30 by use of a sliding rail assembly so as to allow the
shelf 70 to be slid between its assisted position (see FIGS. 1, 12, and 13) and
its self-service position (see FIGS. 5 and 15). Alternatively, the set-aside shelf
70 may be secured to the terminal cabinet 30 by use of a hinge assembly 70a
(see FIGS. 3 and 5) so as to allow the shelf 70 to be pivoted between its
assisted position and its self-service position.
-
Moreover, the set-aside shelf 70 selectively covers and exposes the
respective overhead access openings of the bagwells 60, 62 as the shelf 70 is
moved between its assisted shelf position (see FIGS. 1 and 13) or a self-service
shelf position (see FIGS. 5 and 15). In particular, as shown in FIG. 13,
the overhead access opening 62a associated with the assisted bagwell 62 is
exposed when the set-aside shelf 70 is positioned in its assisted shelf position
thereby allowing the checkout clerk operating the scanner 24 to advance an
item in a substantially downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within
the assisted bagwell 62. However, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of an
overhead access opening 60a associated with the self-service bagwell 60 is
covered when the set-aside shelf 70 is positioned in its assisted shelf position.
-
Conversely, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 15, the overhead access opening
60a associated with the self-service bagwell 60 is exposed when the set-aside
shelf 70 is positioned in its self-service shelf position thereby allowing the
customer operating the scanner 24 to advance an item in a substantially
downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within the self-service
bagwell 60. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the overhead access opening 62a
associated with the assisted bagwell 62 is covered when the set-aside shelf 70
is positioned in its self-service shelf position.
-
As discussed above, the security scale 68 may be utilized to provide
security to the checkout system 10 during operation thereof in either its self-service
mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation. In particular, the
security scale 68 is utilized to monitor the ingress and egress of items into and
out of the post-scan area 18. More specifically, the security scale 68 is utilized
to detect placement of items (1) into and out of the bagwells 60, 62, and (2)
onto and off of the set-aside shelf 70a. Such item movement monitoring may
be utilized to determine if the customer is unintentionally or intentionally
committing an impropriety such as theft. For example, a control signal is
generated when the scanner 24 successfully captures a product code
associated with an item being entered into the checkout system 10. The
security scale 68 may be used to detect placement of an item into the post-scan
area 18 prior to generation of the control signal thereby enabling
detection of the situation in which an unscanned item has been placed into a
grocery bag or onto the set-aside shelf 70.
-
Moreover, when an item is scanned with the scanner 24 and thereafter
placed in the post-scan area 18, the detected weight of the item (as detected
by the security scale 68) may be compared to a known weight value of the
item that is stored in a database in order to confirm that a different, more
expensive item was not substituted for the scanned item. It should be
appreciated that the database may be in the form of a master database which
includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a "transaction level"
database which is constructed locally at the checkout system 10 during
operation thereof.
-
It should be appreciated that a number of security schemes utilizing the
security scale 68 may be employed during operation of the checkout system
10 in both its self-service mode of operation and its assisted mode of
operation. Examples of security schemes utilizing a security scale that is
somewhat similar to the security scale 68 in a self-service checkout system
are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,952,642 entitled "Method and Apparatus for
Detecting Item Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service
Checkout Terminal" by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on September 14, 1999,
along with copending U.S. Patent Applications Serial No. 08/990,241 entitled
"Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Placement and Item Removal
During Operation of A Self-Service Checkout Terminal" which was filed on
December 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Dusty Lutz; and Serial No.
09/071,024 entitled "Method of Monitoring Item Shuffling in a Post-Scan Area
of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal" which was filed on May 1, 1998, by
Dusty Lutz, Chris Malchak, Tim Mason, Ali Vassigh. The disclosures of the
above-identified issued patent along with each of the above-identified patent
applications are hereby incorporated by reference, and are assigned to the
same assignee as the present invention.
-
The checkout system 10 also includes a pair of user interface terminals
for receiving input from and providing information to a user. In particular, the
checkout system 10 includes personnel interface terminal 76 (see FIG. 2) and
an interactive customer interface terminal 78 (see FIG. 1). The personnel
interface terminal 76 includes a display monitor 76a and a keypad 76b (see
FIG. 23). Transaction information such as item price, item description, total
amount of the transaction, instructions, etcetera is displayed to the checkout
clerk via the display monitor 76a during operation of the checkout system 10
by the clerk. Moreover, the checkout clerk may manually enter retail
information such as item codes and quantities into the checkout system 10 by
use of the keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface terminal 76.
The personnel interface terminal 76 of the present invention may be embodied
as a single, integrated device (as shown in FIG. 23) having both the display
monitor 76a and the keypad 76b, or alternatively, the display monitor 76a and
the keypad 76b may be embodied as separate components. One integrated
terminal which is particularly useful as the personnel interface terminal 76 of
the present invention is a Dynakey terminal which is commercially available
from NCR Corporation.
-
As discussed above, the personnel interface terminal 76 is provided for
use by the checkout clerk when the checkout system 10 is being operated in
its assisted mode of operation. As shall be discussed below in more detail,
the interactive customer interface terminal 78 is provided for use by customer
when the checkout system 10 is being operated in both its assisted mode of
operation and its self-service mode of operation. Accordingly, the personnel
interface terminal 76 is generally not utilized by the customer when the
checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation.
-
Hence, the personnel interface terminal 76 is secured to the terminal
base 34 in a manner which allows the display monitor 76a and the keypad 76b
to face the personnel side 43 of the system 10 at all times during operation of
the checkout system 10. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the
personnel interface terminal 76 is secured to a terminal support member 80.
The terminal support member 80 is pivotally secured to a scanner housing 82
which houses the vertical scanning window 24b of the scanner 24. Such a
mounting configuration allows the terminal support member 80 (and hence the
personnel interface terminal 76) to rotate relative to the housing 82 (and hence
the scanner 24). More specifically, as the scanner 24 (and hence the housing
82) is rotated between the assisted scanner position (see FIG. 1) and the self-service
scanner position (see FIG. 5), the terminal support member 80 (and
hence the personnel interface terminal 76) may be rotated relative to the
housing 82 such that the display monitor 76a and the keypad 76b face the
personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10 irrespective of whether the
scanner 24 is positioned in its assisted scanner position or its self-service
scanner position.
-
Such a configuration in which the display monitor 76a and the keypad
76b of the personnel interface terminal 76 face the personnel side 42 of the
checkout system 10 irrespective of whether the scanner 24 is positioned in its
assisted scanner position or its self-service scanner position provides
numerous advantages to the checkout system 10. For example, facing the
keypad 76b away from the customer when the checkout system 10 is being
operated in its self-service mode of operation prevents the customer from
becoming confused by the presence of the keypad 76b thereby eliminating the
possibility that the customer attempts to operate the personnel interface
terminal 76. Moreover, facing the keypad 76b away from the customer when
the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation
reduces the number of components which are presented to the customer
thereby reducing or eliminating any potential intimidation associated with first
time performance of a self-service checkout transaction.
-
Yet further, facing the display monitor 76a and the keypad 76b of the
personnel interface terminal 76 toward the personnel side 42 of the checkout
system 10 when the scanner 24 is positioned in both its assisted scanner
position and its self-service scanner position allows a surface 80a of the
terminal support member 80 to face the customer side 40 of the checkout
system 10. The surface 80a may be utilized to display messages to the
customer. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, a laminated sign 80b or the
like may be secured to the surface 80a of the terminal support member 80 with
fasteners or the like (not shown) in order for the message printed on the sign
80b to be displayed to the customer. Such a message may include an
advertisement for a product or service offered by the retailer. Moreover, the
retailer may sell the space on the laminated sign 80b to an outside company
or business (e.g. a real estate agent or mortgage broker) in order to generate
additional revenue. The message printed on the sign 80b may alternatively, or
in conjunction, include instructions which instruct the customer on operation of
the checkout system 10.
-
As shown in FIG. 21, the interactive customer interface terminal 78
includes a display monitor 78a which is provided to display retail information to
the customer during operation of the checkout system 10. For example,
transaction information such as item price, item description, total amount of
the transaction, instructions, etcetera is displayed to the customer via the
display monitor 78a during operation of the checkout system 10 in either its
assisted mode of operation or its self-service mode of operation. Moreover,
instructions are displayed on the display monitor 78a which assist or otherwise
guide the customer through operation of the checkout system 10. Such
instructions are particularly useful when the checkout system 10 is being
operated in its self-service mode of operation.
-
Moreover, customer-specific messages may be displayed to the
customer on the display monitor 78a at certain times during a checkout
transaction. What is meant herein by the term "customer-specific" in regard to
messages is a retail message that is customized for a given customer based
on the purchasing habits or other information that is unique to the customer.
For example, a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific
advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer
during a previous visit to the retailer's store. As shall be discussed below in
greater detail, the checkout system 10 of the present invention is configured to
retrieve information from a customer profile database which contains such
information (e.g. previous purchases) about each of the retailer's customers.
Moreover, a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific
advertisement that advertises a product which may be used in conjunction with
a product that was previously scanned or otherwise entered into the checkout
system 10 during the current checkout transaction. For example, if the
checkout clerk scans a case of beer that is included in the customer's items for
purchase, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to the
customer on the display monitor 78b since pretzels are commonly consumed
with beer.
-
It should be appreciated that such customer-specific messages may
also be communicated by other components associated with the checkout
system 10. For example, customer-specific messages may be displayed to
the checkout clerk via the display monitor 76a of the personnel interactive
terminal 76. For instance, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer or other
type of alcohol, a customer-specific message may displayed on the display
monitor 76a which informs the checkout clerk that the customer is not old
enough to purchase the beer or other type of alcohol. Similarly, customer-specific
advertisement messages could be displayed on the display monitor
76a in order to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer
in a personal manner by the checkout clerk.
-
Referring back to the discussion regarding the interactive customer
interface terminal 78, the display monitor 78a is preferably a known touch
screen monitor which can generate data signals when certain areas of the
screen are touched by a customer. Hence, the display monitor 78a may be
utilized by the customer to input information into the checkout system 10. For
example, the customer may manually enter retail information such as item
codes and quantities into the checkout system 10 by use of the touch screen
associated with the display monitor 78a. The customer may indicate his or her
preferred method of payment (e.g. cash, credit, or debit card) by touching the
appropriate area of the touch screen associated with the display monitor 78a.
A portion of the touch screen associated with the display monitor 78a may also
be utilized as a "help button" such that assistance is provided to the customer
when it is touched by the customer.
-
Moreover, the interactive customer interface terminal 78 is preferably
embodied as a stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is, in essence, a modified
flat panel personal computer (PC) which includes a number of components
commonly associated therewith such as a processing unit 78b having a
microprocessor 78c (see FIG. 9) and a number of memory modules 78d (see
FIG. 9) associated therewith, along with other commonly utilized PC
components such as an Ethernet controller, a number of video and audio
control devices, a storage memory device such as a hard drive device, and a
number of connector ports for coupling the interface terminal 78 to a number
of retail peripheral devices such as the scanner 24 and the product scale 26.
Hence, in addition to displaying transaction information to the customer, the
interactive customer interface terminal 78 functions as the main processing
device or controller for controlling operation of the checkout system 10. It
should be appreciated that the interactive customer interface terminal 78 may
be embodied as any stand-alone, kiosk-type device which includes the
aforedescribed components (e.g. a display monitor, PC, etcetera). One such
stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is particularly useful as the interactive
customer interface terminal of the present invention is an Informa model
information terminal which is commercially available from NCR Corporation.
-
As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the interactive customer interface terminal 78
is movably secured to the upper surface 36 of the terminal base 34 by a
support arm assembly 160. As shown in FIG. 18, the support arm assembly
160 includes a first support arm 162 and a second support arm 164. The
support arm assembly 160 is configured to allow the interactive customer
interface terminal 78 to be pivoted relative to the upper surface 36 of the
terminal base 34 along a pair of substantially-vertical pivot axes. In particular,
the support arm 162 is pivotally secured to the upper surface 36 of the
terminal base 34 by a pivot joint 166, whereas the second support arm 164 is
pivotally secured to the first support arm 162 by a pivot joint 168.
-
The housing of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 is secured
to an end portion of the second support arm 164. In particular, the end portion
of the second support arm 164 opposite the pivot joint 168 has a mounting
structure 170 secured thereto. The housing of the interactive customer
interface terminal 78 is bolted or otherwise fastened to the mounting structure
170 so as to secure the interactive customer interface terminal 78 to the
support arm assembly 160.
-
Such a configuration of the support arm assembly 160 allows the
interactive customer interface terminal 78 to be moved relative to the terminal
base 34 in a manner which maintains the display monitor 78b at a relatively
constant distance from the upper surface 34 of the terminal base. Moreover,
such a configuration allows the interactive customer interface terminal 78 to be
moved between a self-service position and an assisted position. In particular,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, during operation of the checkout system 10 in its
assisted mode of operation, the support arm assembly 160 is manipulated so
as to cause the interactive customer interface terminal 78 to assume an
assisted terminal position in which the display monitor 78a faces the general
direction of the payment area 16. It should be appreciated that during an
assisted checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the
proximity of the payment area 16. Hence, by positioning the display monitor
78a in the position shown in FIG. 19 (i.e. an assisted monitor position), retail
information, along with other messages such as customer-specific
advertisements, may be displayed on the display monitor 78a for viewing by
the customer while the checkout clerk enters the customer's items for
purchase with the scanner 24.
-
However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 20, during operation of the checkout
system 10 in its self-service mode of operation, the support arm assembly 160
is manipulated so as to cause the interactive customer interface terminal 78 to
assume a self-service terminal position in which the display monitor 78a faces
the general direction of the area located in front of the self-service bagwell 60.
It should be appreciated that during a self-service checkout transaction, the
customer is generally positioned in the proximity of the area located in front of
the bagwell 60 in order to scan items with the scanner 24 and thereafter place
the items in grocery bags positioned in the self-service bagwell 60. Hence, by
positioning the display monitor 78a in the position shown in FIG. 20 (i.e. a self-service
monitor position), retail information such as transaction information
(e.g. product prices and descriptions), along with other messages such as
instructional messages, may be displayed on the display monitor 78a for
viewing by the customer while the customer enters his or her items for
purchase with the scanner 24.
-
As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system 10 also includes a status light
device 84 and a paging device 86. The status light device 84 and the paging
device 86 are provided in order to notify store personnel, such as a customer
service manager, if intervention into the current checkout transaction is
needed. In particular, if during operation of the checkout system 10, an
intervention-needed activity is detected, the status light device 84 and the
paging device 86 are operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a
customer service manager. What is meant herein by the term "intervention-needed
activity" is (1) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which the
checkout system 10 is unintentionally operated improperly, (2) activity by the
customer or retail personnel in which it can be inferred with a high degree of
confidence that the checkout system 10 is intentionally operated improperly for
illicit purposes such as theft, (3) activity by the customer or retail personnel in
which the customer or retail personnel operates an input device associated
with the checkout system 10 in a manner which indicates that he or she is in
need of assistance, and (4) activity by the components associated with the
checkout system 10 which has rendered the system in need of maintenance or
other type of service.
-
Hence, an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach
activity in which the checkout system 10 is being operated in a manner
which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to
goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either
intentionally or unintentionally), or a non-security-breach activity in which the
customer or checkout clerk is in need of assistance or the checkout system 10
is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to
goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For
example, if the customer attempted to scan an item a number of times with the
scanner 24, but the product identification code associated with the item was
not read by the scanner 24, the processing unit 78b concludes that an
intervention-needed activity has occurred. Moreover, it should be appreciated
that even if the product identification code associated with the item is entered,
the processing unit 78b may determine that an intervention-needed activity
has occurred. For example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then
placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag (as detected by, for
example, the security scale 68), the processing unit 78b concludes that an
intervention-needed activity has occurred. For further example, if the
customer or checkout clerk attempts to weigh an item such as produce with
the product scale 26, but does not properly position the item on the product
scale 26 or has not properly 'zeroed' the product scale 26, the processing unit
78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.
-
Yet further examples of intervention-needed activities may include (1)
failure to surrender an item after the item has been voided, (2) weighing only a
portion of an item (i.e. weighing only one banana, but placing four bananas
into a grocery bag), and (3) placing an item into a grocery bag or onto the set-aside
shelf 70 without first attempting to scan or otherwise enter the item.
Moreover, if the checkout clerk operating the system 10 touches a particular
key on the keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface terminal 76
(see FIG. 23), or the customer touches a particular portion of the touch screen
associated with the display monitor 78a, thereby indicating that he or she is in
need of assistance, the processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed
activity has occurred.
-
In addition, the processing unit 78b may monitor the status of the retail
peripheral devices associated with the checkout system 10 in order to
determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, the
processing unit 78b preferably monitors the currency level within the coin
dispenser 48 and the bill dispenser 52 in order to determine if either currency
dispenser 48, 52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, the processing unit 78b
preferably monitors the paper supply level within the receipt printer 54 and a
journal printer 88 (see FIG. 9) in order to determine if either printer 54, 88 is in
need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of the currency
dispensers 48, 52 or the printers 54, 88 is in need of restocking, the
processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has
occurred.
-
It should be appreciated that although numerous examples of
intervention-needed activities have herein been described, numerous other
types of intervention-needed activities may exist, as defined by a particular
retailer or provided by a particular design of the checkout system 10. Further
examples of intervention-needed activities, along with a number of
mechanisms and methods for detecting occurrence thereof, are disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 5,952,642 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item
Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service Checkout Terminal"
by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on September 14, 1999, and U.S. Patent No.
5,747,784 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Providing Security for a Self-Service
Checkout Station" by Joanne Walter and Tracy Flynn, which was
issued on May 5, 1998; along with copending U.S. Patent Applications Serial
No. 08/895,084 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Verifying Identity of an
Item Being Checked Out Through a Retail Checkout Terminal" which was filed
on July 16, 1997, by Joanne Walter; Serial No. 08/910,702 entitled "Method
and Apparatus for Resetting a Product Scale of a Retail Checkout Terminal"
which was filed on August 13, 1997, by Dusty Lutz; Serial No. 08/939,868
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Providing Security to a Self-Service
Checkout Terminal" which was filed on September 29, 1997, by John Addy
and Jim Morrison; Serial No. 08/991,060 entitled "Method and Apparatus for
Reducing Shrinkage During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal"
which was filed on December 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Joanne Walter;
Serial No. 08/990,241 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item
Placement and Item Removal During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout
Terminal" which was filed on December 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Dusty
Lutz; Serial No. 09/020,057 entitled "Method for Enhancing Security and
Providing Assistance in the Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal"
which was filed on February 06, 1998, by Ali Vassigh and Joanne Walter;
Serial No. 09/020,056 entitled "Self-Service Checkout Terminal" which was
filed on February 06, 1998, by Stephen Swaine, Ali Vassigh, and Grant Paton;
and Serial No. 09/019,880 entitled "Method of Enhancing Security in a Self-Service
Checkout Terminal" which was filed on February 06, 1998, by John
Addy and Marc Lynn. The disclosures of each of the above-identified issued
patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, and are
assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.
-
As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been
detected, the status light device 84 is operated to summon retail personnel.
For example, the status light device 84 may display a first colored light in order
to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the
current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the status light device 84 may
display a second colored light in order to notify retail personnel that
intervention is needed immediately.
-
As with the status light device 84, the paging device 86 is utilized to
page or otherwise summon retail personnel to the checkout system 10 once
an intervention-needed activity has be detected. The paging device 86 is
particularly useful since, it is operable to communicate with retail personnel
who may be positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out
of the view of the status light device 84. In particular, the paging device 86
includes a signal transmitter 86a which may include any one of numerous
known signal transmitters or transceivers such as a radio frequency (RF)
signal transmitter. One such signal transmitter which is particularly useful as
the signal transmitter 86a of the present invention is a model number 1200B
Transmitter which is commercially available from Scope, Incorporated of Great
Britain.
-
As shown in FIG. 22, the signal transmitter 86a is configured to
communicate with a number of portable communication devices such as
wireless alphanumeric pagers 90. In particular, the signal transmitter 86a is
configured to communicate to the pagers 90 at a predetermined frequency
(e.g. 450 MHz) in order to transmit alphanumeric messages to retail personnel
wearing the pagers 90. Hence, upon detection of an intervention-needed
activity by the processing unit 78b, an intervention-needed control signal is
generated. Generation of an intervention-needed control signal causes the
signal transmitter 86a to generate an RF personnel-request signal which is
received by the pagers 90. The personnel-request signal includes a specific
alphanumeric message that includes such information as the nature of the
intervention which is needed and the identity of the particular checkout system
10 which requires assistance. For example, if one of the currency dispensers
48, 52 needs to be restocked, the signal transmitter 86a generates an RF
personnel-request signal which causes a message to be displayed on one of
the pagers 90 which informs the customer service manager wearing the pager
90 that a particular checkout system 10 is, for example, running low on dimes.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 22, the signal transmitter 86a is configured
to communicate with an audible message generating device such as an
intercom device 92 having an RF signal receiver 92a, a number of speakers
92b, and a controller 92c associated therewith. The speakers 92b associated
with the intercom device 92 are located within the ceilings or other locations
throughout the retailer's store. The signal transmitter 86a of the paging device
86 is also configured to communicate with the signal receiver 92a associated
with the intercom device 92 at a predetermined frequency (e.g. 450 MHz) in
order to generate audible messages which are broadcast to retail personnel
within the store with the speakers 92b. In particular, upon detection of an
intervention-needed activity by the processing unit 78b, an intervention-needed
control signal is generated. Generation of an intervention-needed
control signal causes the signal transmitter 86a to generate an RF personnel-request
signal which is received by the signal receiver 92a associated with the
intercom device 92. The personnel-request signal includes a specific code
which corresponds to a number of specific, prerecorded audible messages
stored in, or otherwise maintained by, the controller 92c of the intercom device
92. For example, each of the prerecorded messages may include such
information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity
of the particular checkout system 10 which requires assistance. The controller
92c causes such prerecorded audible messages to be broadcast with the
speakers 92b so as to be audibly detected by retail personnel such as a
customer service manager within the retailer's store. For example, if one of
the currency dispensers 48, 52 needs to be restocked, the signal transmitter
86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which, once received by the
signal receiver 92a, causes an audible message to be broadcast on the
speakers 92b which informs the customer service manager that a particular
checkout system 10 is, for example, running low on dimes.
-
It should be appreciated that use of the signal transmitter 86a in
conjunction with the intercom device 92 provides the checkout system 10 of
the present invention with numerous advantages over heretofore designed
checkout systems. For example, a number of retail stores currently include an
intercom device similar to the intercom device 92 of the present invention. In
particular, intercom devices having a controller for playing a number of
specific, prerecorded messages are installed in a number of retail stores.
However, in order to broadcast a specific message with the speakers
associated with the intercom device, the specific code corresponding to the
audible message must be manually entered by retail personnel or the
customer by use of a dedicated keypad or the like. Hence, by providing for the
input of the specific codes corresponding to the various audible messages by
use of the signal transmitter 86a and the signal receiver 92a, the checkout
system 10 itself can actuate the intercom device 92 without manual entry of
the specific code by the customer or retail personnel. Utilization and/or retrofit
of an existing intercom device reduces the costs associated with
implementation of the checkout system 10 thereby increasing the appeal of
the system 10 to retailers.
-
The RF transmitter 86a of the paging device 86 has a broadcast
antenna 86b associated therewith. The broadcast antenna 86b is secured to
a support structure associated with the status light device 84. In particular, as
shown in FIG. 1, the status light device 84 includes a lamp assembly 84a
secured atop a pole 84b. The broadcast antenna 86b is fastened or otherwise
secured to the pole 84b. Alternatively, the pole 84b may be constructed of a
material which would allow the pole 84b itself to function as the broadcast
antenna 86b. It should be appreciated that securing the broadcast antenna
86b to the pole 84b (or integrating the antenna 86b with the pole 84b, as
described above) provides numerous advantages. For example, by securing
the broadcast antenna 86b to the pole 84b, a relatively long antenna may be
utilized without the risk of the antenna 86b being accidentally damaged by, for
example, retail personnel or the customer. It should be appreciated that
utilization of a relatively long antenna is useful for increasing the transmission
range of the RF transmitter 86a.
-
The checkout system 10 also has a video system 94. The video
system 94 includes a video camera such as a digital video camera 94a (see
FIG. 1). The video system is included to provide security during operation of
the checkout system 10. In particular, at the commencement of a checkout
transaction, the video camera 94a is operated so as to capture a video image
of the user (e.g. the customer or the checkout clerk) who is operating the
checkout system 10. In a known manner, the captured video image of the
customer is then stored in an electronic video file by the processing unit 78b.
A subsequent video image (which is representative of the captured video
image) may then be extracted from the electronic video file for use by the
checkout system 10. For example, in the case of when the checkout system
10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation, the extracted video
image of the customer may be displayed on a portion of the display monitor
78a associated with the interactive customer interface terminal 78. Hence, as
the customer is entering his or her items for purchase with the scanner 24, a
video image of himself or herself is displayed on the display monitor 78a. It
should be appreciated that displaying a video image of the customer serves as
a psychological deterrent to the customer in regard to the commission of an
impropriety such as theft. In particular, the customer is less likely to commit an
impropriety such as theft once the customer realizes that the checkout system
10 has captured a video image himself or herself. Similarly, a video image of
the checkout clerk could be displayed on the display monitor 76a of the
personnel interface terminal 76 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent
to the checkout clerk against "sweethearting" or other improprieties.
-
Moreover, in the case of when the checkout system 10 is being
operated in its self-service mode of operation, the extracted video image of the
customer may be printed with the receipt printer 54. In particular, once the
customer has tendered payment for his or her items for purchase, a
transaction receipt 96 is printed for the customer with the receipt printer 54.
As shown in FIG. 14, the transaction receipt 96 printed by the receipt printer
54 preferably includes transaction information 96a associated with the
customer's checkout transaction such as a list including the description and
price of each item purchased along with the total cost of the transaction.
Moreover, a rendition of the extracted video image 96b of the customer is also
printed on the bottom portion of the transaction receipt. Hence, as the
customer is entering his or her items for purchase with the scanner 24, a video
image of the customer is captured and then later printed on the bottom portion
of the customer's transaction receipt 96. It should be appreciated that printing
an image of the customer serves as a psychological deterrent to the customer
in regard to the commission of an impropriety such as theft. In particular, the
customer is less likely to commit an impropriety such as theft once the
customer realizes that the checkout system 10 has captured a video image
himself or herself. Similarly, a video image of the checkout clerk could be
printed with the receipt printer 54 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent
against "sweethearting" or other improprieties.
-
Moreover, the video system 94 may be utilized to capture and
thereafter store video images associated with other portions of the checkout
system 10. For example, the video camera 94a of the video system 94 may
be utilized to capture video images associated with one or more of the grocery
bags within the bagwells 60, 62. The video images associated with the
grocery bags may then be displayed on the display monitor 78a. Displaying
the contents of the customer's grocery bag also serves as a psychological
deterrent to the customer since the customer is less likely to insert unscanned
or otherwise unentered items (or substituted items) once the customer realizes
that the checkout system 10 has captured a video image or the customer's
grocery bags.
-
Yet further, the video system 94 may be utilized to capture and
thereafter store video images associated with a shopping receptacle in order
to reduce the number of items which are intentionally or unintentionally taken
from the retailer's store without having first been entered into the checkout
system 10 (and hence paid for). In particular, as shown in FIG. 16, the video
camera 94a of the video system 94 may be utilized to capture a video image
of a shopping cart 238 or a shopping basket 240. In a known manner, the
captured video image of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 is then
stored in an electronic video file by the processing unit 78b.
-
The electronic video file of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket
240 is then compared to a reference electronic video file in order to determine
if the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty).
In particular, a reference video image of an empty shopping cart or shopping
basket is stored as a reference electronic video file in either a local memory
device associated with the checkout system (e.g. memory modules or a hard
drive) or on a network memory device associated with the retailer's network.
In any event, the electronic video file associated with the captured image of
the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 is compared to the reference
electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping
basket. If the electronic video file associated with the captured image of the
shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 matches the reference electronic
video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, then the
checkout system 10 concludes that the customer's shopping cart 238 or
shopping basket 240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty). However, if the electronic
video file associated with the captured image of the shopping cart 238 or
shopping basket 240 does not match the reference electronic video file
associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, then the checkout
system 10 concludes that the customer's shopping cart 238 or shopping
basket 240 has items remaining therein.
-
What is meant herein by the terms "match", "matches", or "matching" in
regard to electronic video files is that a first electronic video file is determined
to be the same as or within a predetermined tolerance range of a second
electronic video file. Hence, the electronic video files associated with the
captured images of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 match the
respective reference electronic video file if they are determined to be the same
or within a predetermined tolerance range of the reference electronic video file
associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket.
-
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a simplified block diagram of
the checkout system 10. In addition to the display monitor 78a, the processing
unit 78b of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 is electrically coupled
to the scanner 24, the product scale 26, the electronic payment terminal 44,
the coin acceptor 46, the bill acceptor 50, the coin dispenser 48, the bill
dispenser 52, the receipt printer 54, the security scale 68, the personnel
interface terminal 76, the status light device 84, the paging device 86, the
journal printer 88, the item sensors 98, 100, the input belt mechanism 20, and
the security deactivation device 172. The processing unit 78b is also
electrically coupled to a signature capture device 102, a lane light 104, and a
supervisor switch 106.
-
The processing unit 78b monitors output signals generated by the
assembly of the scanner 24 and product scale 26 via a serial data
communication line 114 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). In particular, when
the customer scans an item which includes a product identification code
across the scanning windows 24a, 24b, an output signal indicative of the
product identification code is generated on the data communication line 114.
Similarly, when a customer places an item on the product scale 26, the
product scale 26 generates an output signal on the data communication line
114 which is indicative of the weight of the item.
-
The processing unit 78b is electrically coupled to the digital video
camera 94a via a parallel data communication line 116 (e.g. a parallel data
cable). The processing unit 78b generates control signals on the
communication line 116 which cause the digital video camera 94a to capture
video images of the customer, the checkout clerk, a portion of the checkout
system 10, the shopping cart 238 or basket 240, etcetera, in order to enhance
security during operation of the system 10. A data stream representative of
such captured video images is then communicated to the processing unit 78b
via the communication line 116 for processing thereof. In particular, such
captured video images may be stored in the memory devices associated with
the processing unit 78b for future use by, as described above, printing a
rendition of a captured video image of the customer on the customer's
transaction receipt 96 (see FIG. 14) or displaying a video image of the
customer or the customer's grocery bags on the display monitors 78a or 76a.
-
The checkout system 10 also includes a number of port expander
devices 108, 110. The port expander devices 108, 110 may be any known
port expander device which enables a number of communication tines (e.g.
data cables) to be connected to a single port of a controller (e.g. the connector
ports associated with the interactive customer interface terminal 78).
Moreover, the port expander devices 108, 110 of the present invention
preferably allow more than one interface type. For example, the port expander
devices 108, 110 of the present invention are preferably coupled to the
processing unit 78b of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 via a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, but are coupled to certain retail
peripheral devices (e.g. the electronic payment terminal 44, the cash
dispenser 52, or the security scale 68) via an RS-232 serial interface. Such a
configuration is particularly useful since commercially available retail devices
are typically configured to communicate with a controller via an RS-232 serial
interface thereby allowing the checkout system 10 to be configured with
"industry standard" retail peripheral devices as opposed to more expensive,
proprietary devices. It should be appreciated that in addition to USB/RS-232
port expander devices, other types of port expander devices may also be
utilized in the present invention. For example, port expander devices which
are coupled to the processing unit 78b via an Ethernet interface (i.e. an
Ethernet/RS-232 port expander device) may also be utilized in the present
invention.
-
As utilized in construction of the checkout system 10, the port expander
devices 108, 110 facilitate the coupling of a number of retail peripheral devices
associated with the system 10 to the processing unit 78b of the interactive
customer interface terminal 78. In particular, a USB port 110a of the port
expander device 110 is coupled to a first USB data port 78e of the processing
unit 78b via a USB communication line 112 (e.g. a USB data cable).
-
A serial port 54a of the receipt printer 54 is coupled to a first serial port
110b of the port expander device 110 via a serial communication line 118 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the receipt printer 54 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 112, the port expander device 110, and the serial
communication line 118. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the receipt printer 54 in order to generate transaction
receipts at the completion of a checkout transaction. The receipt printer 54
may be embodied as any type of ink-jet, laser, dot-matrix, LED, or thermal
printer which is capable of printing the alphanumeric characters associated
with transaction information 96a on the transaction receipt 96 (see FIG. 14),
along with certain graphical representations associated with the rendition of
the extracted video image 96b of the customer (see FIG. 14) when the
checkout system 10 is configured to print such a rendition on the transaction
receipt 96.
-
A serial port 44a of the electronic payment terminal 44 is coupled to a
second serial port 110c of the port expander device 110 via a serial
communication line 120 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the
processing unit 78b communicates with the electronic payment terminal 44 via
a data path that includes the USB communication line 112, the port expander
device 110, and the serial communication line 120. In such a manner, the
processing unit 78b communicates with the electronic payment terminal 44 in
order to allow a customer to electronically tender payment for his or her items
for purchase via, for example, a debit, credit, or smart card. In particular, as
described above, the electronic payment terminal 44 includes a card reader
and an input device such as a keypad. The keypad associated with the
electronic payment terminal 44 may include one or more of a known keypad or
a touch pad, whereas the card reader may include a known credit, debit,
loyalty, and/or smart card reader which is capable of reading information
stored on the customer's card. Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the electronic payment terminal in order to receive data read from the
customer's card or codes such as PIN numbers which are input by the
customer via use of the keypad.
-
A serial port 68a of the security scale 68 is coupled to a third serial port
110d of the port expander device 110 via a serial communication line 122 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the security scale 68 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 112, the port expander device 110, and the serial
communication line 122. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the security scale 68 in order to (1) monitor the placement
of items into, or the removal of items from, the self-service bagwell 60 and the
assisted bagwell 62, and (2) the placement of items onto, and the removal of
items off of, the set-aside shelf 70. In particular, when an item is placed into
one of the grocery bags within the bagwells 60, 62 or onto the set-aside shelf
70, the security scale 68 generates an output signal indicative of the weight of
the item which is communicated to the processing unit 78b. Similarly, when
an item is removed from one of the grocery bags within the bagwells 60, 62 or
from the set-aside shelf 70, the security scale 68 generates an output signal
indicative of the weight of the removed item which is communicated to the
processing unit 78b.
-
A serial port 102a of the signature capture device 102 is coupled to a
fourth serial port 110e of the port expander device 110 via a serial
communication line 124 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the
processing unit 78b communicates with the signature capture device 102 via a
data path that includes the USB communication line 112, the port expander
device 110, and the serial communication line 124. In such a manner, the
processing unit 78b communicates with the signature capture device 102 in
order to create an electronic record of a customer's signature during a credit
transaction. In particular, the signature capture device 102 may include any
known signature capture device which is capable of generating an electronic
representation of a customer's signature when the customer signs his or her
name with a pen, stylus, or other writing instrument associated with the
signature capture device 102. Capturing a customer's signature with a
signature capture device 102 generally causes the retailer to be charged a
smaller transaction fee for the credit card transaction from the bank or other
financial institution which issued the customer's card. Such lower transaction
fees are particularly beneficial in the retail grocery business due to the
relatively small profit margins associated with such a business.
-
A serial port 86c of the paging device 86 is coupled to a fifth serial port
110f of the port expander device 110 via a serial communication line 126 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the paging device 86 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 112, the port expander device 110, and the serial
communication line 126. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the paging device 86 in order to generate RF signals
which are received by either the wireless alphanumeric pagers 90 or the RF
signal receiver 92 associated with the store's intercom device 92. As
described above, such RF communications allows retail personnel to be
summoned to the checkout system 10 in order to provide assistance and/or
security during operation of the checkout system 10.
-
A serial port 88a of the journal printer 88 is coupled to a sixth serial port
110g of the port expander device 110 via a serial communication line 128 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the journal printer 88 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 112, the port expander device 110, and the serial
communication line 128. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the journal printer 88 in order to generate a journal or
printed record of each checkout transaction performed by the checkout system
10. The journal printer 88 may be embodied as any type of ink-jet, laser, dot-matrix,
LED, or thermal printer which is capable of printing a record of the
checkout transactions performed on the system 10. Preferably, the journal
printer 88 is configured to print such a record on "roll-type" paper so as to
facilitate collection of the record.
-
A serial port 172a of the security deactivation device 172 is coupled to a
seventh serial port 110h of the port expander device 110 via a serial
communication line 174 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the
processing unit 78b communicates with the security deactivation device 172
via a data path that includes the USB communication line 112, the port
expander device 110, and the serial communication line 174. In such a
manner, the processing unit 78b communicates with the security deactivation
device 172 in order to generate a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic or
electromagnetic field) which deactivates electronic security tags associated
with an EAS system. As described above, the security deactivation device
172 may be configured to continuously generate a deactivation field, or
alternatively, the processing unit 78b may communicate with the security
deactivation device 172 to selectively generate the deactivation field in
response to capture of the product code associated with an item being
scanned or otherwise entered into the checkout system 10.
-
Similarly to the port expander device 110, the port expander device 108
is utilized to facilitate communication between the processing unit 78b and a
number of retail peripheral devices. In particular, a USB port 108a of the port
expander device 108 is coupled to a second USB data port 78f of the
processing unit 78b via a USB communication line 138 (e.g. a USB data
cable).
-
A serial port 48a of the coin dispenser 48 is coupled to a first serial port
108b of the port expander device 108 via a serial communication line 130 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the coin dispenser 48 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 138, the port expander device 108, and the serial
communication line 130. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the coin dispenser 48 in order to dispense change in the
form of coins to a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In
particular, when a customer is owed change in the form of coins during
finalization of a checkout transaction, the processing unit 78b generates an
output signal indicative of the amount of change in the form of coins that is
owed the customer. Such an output signal is communicated to the coin
dispenser 48 thereby causing the coin dispenser 48 to dispense the correct
amount of change in the form of coins to the customer.
-
A serial port 46a of the coin acceptor 46 is coupled to a second serial
port 108c of the port expander device 108 via a serial communication line 132
(e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the coin acceptor 46 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 138, the port expander device 108, and the serial
communication line 132. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the coin acceptor 46 in order to accept coins from a
customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a
customer inserts coins into the coin acceptor 46 during finalization of a
checkout transaction, the coin acceptor 46 generates an output signal
indicative of the value of each coin which is inserted into the coin acceptor 46.
Such an output signal is communicated to the processing unit 78b in order to
determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of currency to
tender payment for his or her items for purchase.
-
A serial port 52a of the bill dispenser 52 is coupled to a third serial port
108d of the port expander device 108 via a serial communication line 134 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the bill dispenser 52 via a data path that includes the USB communication
line 138, the port expander device 108, and the serial communication line 134.
In such a manner, the processing unit 78b communicates with the bill
dispenser 52 in order to dispense change in the form of bills to a customer
during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer is
owed change in the form of bills during finalization of a checkout transaction,
the processing unit 78b generates an output signal indicative of the amount of
change in the form of bills that is owed the customer. Such an output signal is
communicated to the bill dispenser 52 thereby causing the bill dispenser 52 to
dispense the correct amount of change in the form of bills to the customer.
-
A serial port 50a of the bill acceptor 50 is coupled to a fourth serial port
108e of the port expander device 108 via a serial communication line 136 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the bill acceptor 50 via a data path that includes the USB communication
line 138, the port expander device 108, and the serial communication line 136.
In such a manner, the processing unit 78b communicates with the bill acceptor
50 in order to accept bills from a customer during finalization of a checkout
transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts bills into the bill acceptor
50 during finalization of a checkout transaction, the bill acceptor 50 generates
an output signal indicative of the value of each bill that is inserted into the bill
acceptor 50. Such an output signal is communicated to the processing unit
78b in order to determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of
currency to tender payment for his or her items for purchase.
-
It should be appreciated that use of the port expander devices 108, 110
provides the checkout system 10 of the present invention with numerous
advantages over heretofore checkout systems. For example, use of the port
expander devices 108, 110 allows the processing unit 78b associated with the
interactive customer interface terminal 78 to be configured with a relatively
small number of output connectors. For example, if not for use of the port
expander devices 108, 110, a connector would have to be provided on the
processing unit 78b for each of the components which are coupled to the port
expander devices 108, 110 in FIG. 9 in order to couple the components
directly to the output connectors of the processing unit 78b. Such a
requirement for additional connector/port capacity would undesirably increase
the size and cost of the interactive customer interface terminal 78.
-
In addition to reducing the number of output connectors that must be
provided on the processing unit 78b, use of the port expander devices 108,
110 also simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable management of the
checkout system 10. In particular, the port expander devices 108, 110 are
preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to
which port expander devices 108, 110 are coupled thereby reducing the
distance across which the individual serial cables associated with each
peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount the
port expander device 108, 110 within the same terminal cabinet 28, 30, 32 in
which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the port expander devices 108,
110 are disposed.
-
In a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the port expander
device 108 is secured within the terminal cabinet 32 so as to be located in
relatively close proximity to the coin dispenser 48, the coin acceptor 46, the bill
dispenser 52, and the bill acceptor 50. In such a configuration, the serial
cables respectively associated with each of the currency devices 46, 48, 50,
52 (i.e. the serial communication lines 130, 132, 134, 136, respectively) are
completely contained within the terminal cabinet 32. What is meant herein by
the term "completely contained" in regard to cables is that the entire cable is
positioned within a structure (e.g. one of the terminal cabinets 28, 30, 32) such
that no portion of cable extends out of the structure. Hence, in regard to the
port expander device 108, only the USB cable (i.e. the USB communication
line 138) must be routed outside of the terminal cabinet 32. In particular, a
first end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line
138 is secured to the second USB port 78f of the processing unit 78b,
whereas a second end connector of the cable associated with the USB
communication line 138 is secured to the USB port 108a of the port expander
device 108. Hence, a central portion of the cable associated with the USB
communication line 138 is routed or otherwise extends between the terminal
cabinet 30 and the terminal cabinet 32. However, the USB cable associated
with the USB communication line 138 is the only cable associated with the
currency devices 46, 48, 50, 52 that extends out of the terminal cabinet 32.
-
It should be appreciated that the port expander device 110 may
positioned in a similar manner. For example, the port expander device 110
may be positioned within the terminal cabinet 30 in order to be located in
relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the port
expander device 110 is coupled (e.g. the security scale 68 or the electronic
payment device 44).
-
Moreover, it should also be appreciated that any number of port
expander devices, or configurations thereof, may be utilized in conjunction
with the concepts of the present invention in order to provide for use of
additional retail peripheral devices or to further enhance the cable
management of the checkout system 10. For example, although the assembly
of the scanner 24 and the product scale 26 is shown in FIG. 9 and described
herein as being directly coupled to a serial port of the processing unit 78b, the
assembly of the scanner 24 and the product scale 26 could alternatively be
coupled to an available serial port associated with the port expander device
110 thereby eliminating the need to route the serial cable associated with the
assembly of the scanner 24 and the product scale 26 (i.e. the serial
communication line 114) all the way back to the processing unit 78b.
-
The processing unit 78b of the interactive customer interface terminal
78 also controls operation of a number of components associated with the
checkout system 10 which are not controlled via use of a standard
communication protocol (e.g. RS-232). In particular, a number of components
associated with the checkout system 10 are "on-off" devices such as the lane
light 104, the lamp assembly 84a associated with the status light device 84,
and the motor (not shown) associated with the input belt mechanism 20. The
checkout system 10 further includes an interface unit 140 for interfacing with
such devices. In particular, the interface unit 140 interfaces with the input belt
mechanism 20, the lamp assembly 84a of the status light device 84, the item
sensors 98, 100, the lane light 104, and the supervisor switch 106. As shown
in FIG. 9, the interface unit 140 is coupled to a serial port associated with the
processing unit 78b via a serial communication line 142 (e.g. a serial cable).
-
The input belt mechanism 20 is coupled to the interface unit 140 via a
control line 144. Hence, the processing unit 78b controls operation of the
input belt mechanism 20 via a data path that includes the serial
communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the control line 144. In
such a manner, the processing unit 78b controls actuation of the motor (not
shown) associated with the input belt mechanism 20 so as to control
advancement of the input belt 22. In particular, as described above, the input
belt mechanism 20 may be actuated when placement of an item onto the input
belt 22 is detected by the upstream item sensor 98 thereby causing the item to
be moved in a downstream direction toward the scanner 24. Thereafter, the
input belt mechanism 20 is deactuated when arrival of the item at a
predetermined location at the downstream end portion 22b of the input belt 22
is detected by the downstream item sensor 100. Moreover, advancement of
the input belt 22 may be manually controlled by retail personnel or a customer
via use of the key pad associated with the personnel interface terminal 76 (in
the case of control by retail personnel) or the touch screen associated with the
display monitor 78a of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 (in the
case of control by the customer). In the case of such manual advancement of
the input belt 22, the processing unit 78b selectively generates output signals
which selectively cause actuation and deactuation of the input belt mechanism
20.
-
The input belt mechanism 20 is coupled to the interface unit 140 via a
control line 144. Hence, the processing unit 78b controls operation of the
input belt mechanism 20 via a data path that includes the serial
communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the control line 144. In
such a manner, the processing unit 78b controls actuation of the motor (not
shown) associated with the input belt mechanism 20 so as to control
advancement of the input belt 22. In particular, as described above, the input
belt mechanism 20 may be actuated when placement of an item onto the input
belt 22 is detected by the upstream item sensor 98 thereby causing the item to
be moved in a downstream direction toward the scanner 24. Thereafter, the
input belt mechanism 20 is deactuated when arrival of the item at a
predetermined location at the downstream end portion 22b of the input belt 22
is detected by the downstream item sensor 100. Moreover, advancement of
the input belt 22 may be manually controlled by retail personnel or a customer
via use of the key pad associated with the personnel interface terminal 76 (in
the case of control by retail personnel) or the touch screen associated with the
display monitor 78a of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 (in the
case of control by the customer). In the case of such manual advancement of
the input belt 22, the processing unit 78b selectively generates output signals
which selectively cause actuation and deactuation of the input belt mechanism
20.
-
The lamp assembly 84a of the status light device 84 is coupled to the
interface unit 140 via a control line 146. Hence, the processing unit 78b
controls operation of the input belt mechanism 20 via a data path that includes
the serial communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the control line
146. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b controls actuation of the
lamps associated with the lamp assembly 84a. In particular, as described
above, the lamp assembly 84a is utilized to summon retail personnel to the
checkout system 10 in order to provide assistance and/or security during
operation of the system 10. Accordingly, the processing unit 78b may cause a
red lamp associated with the lamp assembly 84a to be illuminated when
intervention by retail personnel is needed immediately, whereas a yellow lamp
may be illuminated when intervention is not needed until the end of the
customer's transaction. Similarly, a green lamp may be illuminated when the
checkout system 10 is being operated properly without the need for
intervention by retail personnel.
-
The upstream item sensor 98 is coupled to the interface unit 140 via a
signal line 148. Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates with the
upstream item sensor 98 via a data path that includes the serial
communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the signal line 148. In
such a manner, the processing unit 78b determines when the customer places
an item for purchase on the input belt 22. In particular, as described above,
the upstream item sensor 98 is preferably embodied as a photodetector device
which generates a light beam which is emitted across the upstream end
portion 22a of the input belt 22. The upstream item sensor 98 generates an
output signal which is sent to the processing unit 78b when the light beam is
interrupted by an item being placed on the input belt 22 by a customer.
-
The downstream item sensor 100 is coupled to the interface unit 140
via a signal line 150. Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates with the
downstream item sensor 100 via a data path that includes the serial
communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the signal line 150. In
such a manner, the processing unit 78b determines when an item that is being
advanced toward the scanner 24 by the input belt mechanism 22 has been
advanced to a predetermined location on the downstream end portion 22b of
the input belt 22. In particular, as described above, the downstream item
sensor 98 is preferably embodied as a photodetector device which generates
a light beam which is emitted across the downstream end portion 22b of the
input belt 22. The downstream item sensor 100 generates an output signal
which is sent to the processing unit 78b when the light beam is interrupted by
an item being advanced on the input belt 22 once the item has been advanced
to the predetermined location on the downstream end portion 22b of the input
belt 22.
-
The lane light 104 is coupled to the interface unit 140 via a control line
152. Hence, the processing unit 78b controls operation of the lane light 104
via a data path that includes the serial communication line 142, the interface
unit 140, and the control line 152. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
controls actuation of the lamps associated with the lane light 104. The lane
light 104 is utilized to communicate the lane number associated with a given
checkout system 10 to retail personnel or customers. In particular, when a
particular lamp associated with the lane light 104 is illuminated, the lane
number associated with the given checkout system 10 is displayed. Such
illumination also communicates that the checkout system 10 is "open" (i.e.
available for use by the customer). Moreover, the lane light 104 is also
configured to have lamp assemblies which, when illuminated, display a
message such as "SELF-SERVICE" if the checkout system 10 is configured in
its self-service mode of operation, or alternatively, to display a message such
as "ASSISTED" or "FULL-SERVICE" if the checkout system 10 is configured in
its assisted mode of operation.
-
The supervisor switch 106 is coupled to the interface unit 140 via a
signal line 154. Hence, the processing unit 78b monitors output from the
supervisor switch 106 via a data path that includes the serial communication
line 142, the interface unit 140, and the signal line 154. In such a manner, the
processing unit 78b determines whether to operate the checkout system 10 in
its self-service mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation. In
particular, retail personnel such as a customer service manager toggles the
supervisor switch 106 during a changeover procedure associated with
changing the checkout system 10 between its self-service mode of operation
and its assisted mode of operation. It should be appreciated that the
operating system software executed by the processing unit 78b may have
certain features which are selectively enabled or disabled based on whether
the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation
or its assisted mode of operation.
-
The processing unit 78b communicates with the personnel interface
terminal 76 through a data communication line 156 (i.e. a data cable). The
processing unit 78b generates output signals on the data communication line
156 which cause instructional messages and transaction information to be
displayed on the display monitor 76a (see FIG. 23) of the personnel interface
terminal 76. Moreover, data signals generated by the keypad 76b associated
with the personnel interface terminal 76 are transmitted to the processing unit
78b via the communication line 156 when retail personnel touches a particular
key associated with the keypad 76b.
-
The processing unit 78b communicates with the display monitor 78a
associated with the interactive customer interface terminal 78 through an
internal data bus 158. The processing unit 78b generates output signals on
the data bus 158 which cause various messages such as transaction
information, instructions, or advertisements to be displayed on the display
monitor 78a. As alluded to above, the display monitor 78a may include known
touch screen technology which can generate output signals when the
customer touches a particular area of the display screen associated with the
display monitor 78a. The signals generated by the display monitor 78a are
transmitted to the processing unit 78b via the data bus 158.
-
The processing unit 78b may also be utilized to control additional
system components associated with various configurations of the checkout
system 10. For example, the motor (not shown) associated with the takeaway
belt mechanism 56 may be controlled by the processing unit 78b in a similar
manner similar to the motor (not shown) associated with the input belt
mechanism 20. In particular, the takeaway belt mechanism 56 is coupled to
the interface unit 140 via a control line 176. Hence, the processing unit 78b
controls operation of the takeaway belt mechanism 56 via a data path that
includes the serial communication line 142, the interface unit 140, and the
control line 176. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b controls actuation
of the motor (not shown) associated with the takeaway belt mechanism 56 so
as to control advancement of the takeaway belt 58. In particular, as described
above, the takeaway belt mechanism 56 may be actuated in order to advance
items which have been scanned or otherwise entered from the itemization
area 14 to the bagging counter 66.
-
Moreover, the payment area 16 of the checkout system 10 may be
configured with a coupon acceptor 178 (see FIGS. 1, 5, and 9). The coupon
acceptor 178 is provided to allow a customer to tender coupons, vouchers, or
the like during operation of the checkout system 10. As shown in FIG. 9, a
serial port 178a of the coupon acceptor 178 is coupled to a fifth serial port
108f of the port expander device 108 via a serial communication line 180 (e.g.
an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit 78b communicates
with the coupon acceptor 178 via a data path that includes the USB
communication line 138, the port expander device 108, and the serial
communication line 180. In such a manner, the processing unit 78b
communicates with the coupon acceptor 178 in order to accept coupons from
a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a
customer inserts coupons into the coupon acceptor 178 during finalization of a
checkout transaction, the coupon acceptor 178 generates an output signal
indicative of the presence of the tendered coupon. Such an output signal is
communicated to the processing unit 78b in order to confirm that the coupon
has been tendered. It should be appreciated that the coupon acceptor 178
may be equipped with a bar code reader or the like to capture machine
readable indicia that is printed on certain coupons.
-
Moreover, the checkout system 10 may also be configured to include a
cash drawer for allowing the checkout clerk to receive payment from the
customer. In such a configuration, the cash drawer would also be under
control of the processing unit 78b such that the solenoids and the like utilized
to open the cash drawer are actuated by control signals from the processing
unit 78b.
-
The processing unit 78b includes network interface circuitry (not shown)
which conventionally permits the checkout system 10 to communicate with the
retailer's network 184 such as a LAN or WAN through a wired connection 182
(see FIG. 9). The processing unit 78b communicates with the retailer's
network 184 during the checkout procedure in order to obtain information,
such as pricing information, associated with an item being scanned or
otherwise entered, and also to verify customer credit approval when
appropriate. The network interface circuitry associated with the checkout
system 10 may include a known Ethernet expansion card, and the wired
connection 182 may include a known twisted-pair communication line.
Alternatively, the network interface circuitry may support wireless
communications with the retailer's network 184.
-
The processing unit 78b also communicates with the retailer's network
184 in order to access a customer profile database maintained in a network
memory device such as a network mass storage device (not shown)
associated with a network central server (not shown). The customer profile
database includes unique, customer-specific retail information associated with
each of the retailer's customers. For example, when a customer initially
applies or otherwise registers for his or her loyalty card, customer-specific
retail information such as name, address, gender, age, account numbers, or
other demographic information is generally collected on the customer's
application. Such customer-specific retail information is included in the
customer's profile within the customer profile database. Moreover, the
customer's profile within the customer profile database may also include
customer-specific retail information such as the customer's shopping or
purchasing history. For example, a record of the items purchased during
recent visits to the retailer's store may be included in the customer's profile.
Moreover, a record may also be made in the customer's profile if the customer
redeems a certain type of voucher or coupons or responds to a certain type of
promotion.
-
As discussed above, contents of the customer profile database are
utilized in order to generate customer-specific messages to the customer
during a checkout transaction. In particular, while the checkout clerk is
entering the customer's items for purchase during an assisted checkout
transaction, transaction information such as item price and total dollar amount
are displayed on the display monitor 78a. In addition to such transaction
information, customer-specific advertisements may be displayed on a portion
of the display monitor 78a in order to influence the customer to buy additional
items. For example, the customer profile associated with a given customer
may be initially retrieved from the customer profile database. Thereafter, the
processing unit 78b causes customer-specific advertisements to be displayed
on the display monitor 78b based on the contents of the customer's profile.
For example, if the customer profile of a given customer indicates that the
customer buys a certain type of beer during each of his or her visits to the
retailer's store, the processing unit 78b may cause an advertisement for the
certain type of beer to be displayed on the display monitor 78b in order to
entice the customer to buy beer if the checkout clerk has not yet entered beer
into the checkout system 10. It should be appreciated that any type of criteria
may be established to fit the needs of given retailer in regard to analyzing the
contents of the customer profile database for the purposes of selecting an
appropriate customer-specific advertisement message. Moreover, as
discussed above, the customer-specific message may also be displayed on
the display monitor 76a of the personnel interface terminal 76 so that such a
message may be viewed by the checkout clerk.
-
As discussed above, the processing unit 78b preferably includes a
number of local memory devices such as the memory modules 78d (see FIG.
9) and a hard drive. The local memory devices are provided to maintain the
operating system software needed to operate the checkout system 10. In
addition, the local memory devices are provided to maintain an electronic
transaction table which includes a record of the product information associated
with each item that is scanned, weighed, or otherwise entered during the
user's operation of the checkout system 10. For example, if the user scans a
can of soup, the description of the soup and the pricing information associated
therewith is recorded in the transaction table in the local memory devices.
Similarly, if the user weighs a watermelon with the product scale 26 and then
enters a product lookup code associated with watermelon via a data input
device such as the terminals 76, 78, product information associated with the
watermelon is recorded in the transaction table. Moreover, if a user entered a
coupon or voucher, the information associated therewith would also be
recorded in the transaction table.
-
It should therefore be appreciated that the sum of each of the items
recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g. coupons), and
(2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer pays for his or
her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table is printed out
on the receipt printer 54 thereby generating a receipt for the customer at the
end of his or her transaction.
-
The local memory devices are also provided to maintain a number of
electronic logs associated with operation of the checkout system 10. More
specifically, the local memory devices electronically maintain a number of
event logs each of which respectively tracks or otherwise tallies the number of
occasions in which the user operates the checkout system 10 in a particular
manner. An event log may be provided to track those occasions in which the
user unintentionally operated the checkout system 10 improperly, along with
those occasions in which it can be inferred with a high degree of confidence
that the user intentionally operated the checkout system 10 improperly for illicit
purposes such as theft. For example, if the processing unit 78b determines
that the user placed an item into the post-scan area 18 without having
previously scanned or otherwise entered the item into the system 10, an entry
is made in an event log corresponding to such activity. This is true since the
user may have unintentionally operated the scanner 24 incorrectly thereby
preventing the scanner 24 from reading the bar code printed on the item.
However, the possibility does exist that the user may have intentionally
prevented the scanner 24 from reading the bar code printed on the item (e.g.
the user may have placed his or her thumb over the bar code during the
scanning attempt). Therefore, an entry is made in an event log corresponding
to such activity (i.e. placing an item in the post-scan area 18 without having
first entered the item into the system 10).
-
Moreover, a separate event log may be maintained to track those
occasions in which a user does not properly correct a prior misuse of the
system 10. For example, if the processing unit 78b determines that the user
placed an item into the post-scan area 18 without having previously scanned
or otherwise entered the item into the system 10 in the manner discussed
above, the processing unit 78b causes a message to be displayed on the
display monitor 76a of the personnel interface terminal 76 (in the case of
operation of the system 10 by a checkout clerk) or the display monitor 78a of
the interactive customer interface terminal 78 (in the case of operation of the
system 10 by a customer) which instructs the user (i.e. the checkout clerk or
the customer) to remove the item from the post-scan area 18 and thereafter
properly enter the item. A separate event log is maintained in order to track
the number of occasions in which the user does not follow such instruction or
performs an additional improper operation. For example, if subsequent to
such instruction the user removes a different item, or no item at all, from the
post-scan area 18, an entry is made into the event log associated with such
activity.
-
Additional examples of event logs which may be maintained include an
event log which tracks the number of occasions in which the user weighs an
item, such as produce, with the product scale 26, but then places an item of a
different weight in the post-scan area 18. Moreover, a separate event log may
be provided to track the number of occasions in which a user voids a first item
from a transaction, but then removes a second item of lesser value from the
post-scan area 18. A separate event log may be maintained to track the dollar
amount of the coupons which are entered by a given user. Yet further, a
separate event log may be provided to track the amount of time which elapses
from the point in time at which the customer removes his or her items from the
post-scan area 18 until the point in time at which the customer tenders
payment for his or her items.
-
Moreover, the local memory devices maintain an electronic aggregate
log. The aggregate log tracks the total of each of the various event logs. It
should be appreciated that such an aggregate log is particularly useful for
monitoring a user's "overall" operation of the checkout system 10. In
particular, while the occurrence of certain individual activities by a given user
may not separately rise to a level of concern, the aggregate of such activities
may be of concern to the retailer.
-
It should be appreciated that a separate, predetermined threshold value
may be established for each of the numerous event logs and also the
aggregate log. More specifically, a retailer may establish a threshold value for
each of the logs that once equaled or exceeded causes the processing unit
78b to communicate with certain system components in order to request
intervention by retail personnel. In particular, when a threshold value
associated with one of the event logs or the aggregate log is equaled or
exceeded, the processing unit 78b may communicate with the paging device
86 in order to page or otherwise alert retail personnel as to certain events
surrounding the operation of the checkout system 10 by a given user. After
being alerted in such a manner, retail personnel will typically intervene into the
transaction in order to either assist the user (in the case of inadvertent misuse
of the system 10) or audit and/or discontinue the transaction (in the case of
intentional misuse or theft). It should be appreciated that the processing unit
78b may also communicate with retail personnel via the status light device 84.
-
Referring now to FIG. 10 , there is shown the power distribution scheme
of the checkout system 10. Power is distributed from a wall outlet 186 to the
system components associated with the checkout system 10 by use of a
number of power strips 188. In particular, each of the power strips 188 is
coupled to the wall outlet 186 via an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 196,
whereas each of the system components is electrically coupled to the power
strips 188. Although not all of the system components shown in FIG. 9 are
shown in FIG. 10 for purposes of clarity of description, it should be appreciated
that such omitted system components (e.g. the belt mechanisms 20, 56, the
digital camera 94a, etcetera) are coupled to the power strips 188 in a similar
manner as described below.
-
Use of the power strips 188 simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable
management of the checkout system 10. In particular, the power strips 188
are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral
devices to which the power strips 188 are respectively coupled thereby
reducing the distance across which the individual power cables associated
with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to
mount one of the power strips 188 within the same terminal cabinet 28, 30, 32
in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the particular power strip 188
are disposed.
-
In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 10, one of the power strips 188
is secured within the terminal cabinet 32 so as to be located in relatively close
proximity to the coin dispenser 48, the coin acceptor 46, the bill dispenser 52,
and the bill acceptor 50. In such a configuration, the power cables
respectively associated with each of the currency devices 46, 48, 50, 52 (i.e.
the serial communication lines 130, 132, 134, 136, respectively) are
completely contained within the terminal cabinet 32. Hence, in regard to the
power strip 188 located in the terminal cabinet 32, only the power cable which
couples the power strip 188 located in the terminal cabinet 32 to the UPS 196
must be routed outside of the terminal cabinet 32.
-
It should be appreciated that the other power strips 188 may positioned
in a similar manner. For example, one of the power strips 188 may be
positioned within the terminal cabinet 30 in order to be located in relatively
close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the particular power
strip 188 is coupled (e.g. the security scale 68 or the signature capture device
102).
-
Moreover, the power strips 188 include a number of female power
connectors 188a which are configured to receive a corresponding male
connector 190a associated with a first end of a peripheral power cable 190. A
second end of the peripheral power cable 190 includes a female connector
190b which is configured to be received into a male power connector 192
associated with each of the system components such as the interactive
customer interface terminal 78, the personnel interface terminal 76, the
interface unit 140, the assembly of the scanner 24 and the product scale 26,
the receipt printer 54, the electronic payment terminal 44, the security scale
68, the signature capture device 102, the journal printer 88, the coin dispenser
48, the coin acceptor 46, the cash dispenser 52, and the bill acceptor 50.
-
Each of the female connectors 188a, the male connectors 190a, the
female connectors 190b, and the male connectors 192 is configured in
accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors.
What is meant herein by the term "accepted international standard for power
connectors" is a power connector standard which is promulgated by an
international standards organization for use in substantially all countries. One
such accepted international standard for power connectors includes an IEC
60320 international standard for power connectors (including all variations and
iterations thereof) which is promulgated by the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC).
-
Similarly, each of the power strips 188 includes a number of male
power connectors 188b which are configured to receive a corresponding
female connector 194a associated with a first end of a UPS power cable 194.
A second end of the UPS power cable 194 includes a male connector 194b
which is configured to be received into a female power connector 196a
associated with the UPS 196. The male power connectors 188b, the female
connectors 194a, the male connectors 194b, and the female power connectors
196a are each configured in accordance with an accepted international
standard for power connectors such as the IEC 60320 international standard
for power connectors.
-
Moreover, the UPS 196 includes a male power connector 196b which is
configured to receive a corresponding female connector 198a associated with
a first end of an outlet power cable 198. A second end of the outlet power
cable 198 includes a male connector 198b which is configured to be received
into a power outlet such as the wall outlet 186. The male power connector
196b and the female connector 198a are both configured in accordance with
an accepted international standard for power connectors such as the IEC
60320 international standard for power connectors. However, the male power
connector 196b is configured in accordance with an accepted country-specific
standard for power connectors. What is meant herein by the term "accepted
country-specific standard for power connectors" is a power connector standard
which is promulgated by a national standards organization or a de facto
standard which is otherwise in use within a particular country which may or
may not conform to an accepted international standard for power connectors.
One such accepted country-specific standard for power connectors includes a
standard promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or
the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for use in
conjunction with the three-prong connector configuration widely utilized
throughout the United States (e.g. NEMA 5-15P for plug connectors and
NEMA 5-15R for the associated receptacle connectors).
-
Such use of power connectors which conform to the IEC 60320
international standard for power connectors provides the checkout system 10
with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For
example, use of power connectors which conform to the IEC 60320
international standard for power connectors facilitates the importation process
of the checkout system 10 into foreign countries. In particular, heretofore
designed checkout systems utilize power strips and power cables which have
numerous connectors which conform to an accepted country-specific standard
for power connectors. For example, checkout systems designed and/or
manufactured for use the United States typically have receptacles that have
female connectors which conform to U.S. standards (e.g. an applicable ANSI
and/or NEMA standard) for receiving a male connector associated with a
power cord of a peripheral device which also conforms to U.S. standards (e.g.
an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard). The female connector of the
peripheral power cord (i.e. the connector secured to the end of the power
cable which connects to the male connector of the peripheral device) may or
may not be configured in accordance with an international standard for power
connectors. For example, a number of peripheral devices include male power
connectors which conform to the IEC 60320 international standard for power
connectors. Hence, the power cable associated with such a peripheral device
typically has a female power connector which conforms to the IEC 60320
international standard for power connectors for coupling with the male
connector of the peripheral device at one end, and a standard U.S. male
power connector (e.g. a male connector that conforms to an applicable ANSI
and/or NEMA standard) on the other end for coupling with a standard U.S.
outlet such as the standard U.S. female power connectors associated with a
power receptacle.
-
However, when such use of standard U.S. power connectors is
discovered by an inspection officer or the like during importation of the
checkout system into a foreign country, the checkout system may be denied
immediate entry into the foreign country. In particular, importation of the
checkout system into the foreign country may be delayed until a certificate of
conformance or the like is presented to the inspection officer. Such delays
can often take weeks thereby significantly slowing the delivery process of the
checkout system to a retailer located in a foreign country.
-
However, the checkout system 10 of the present invention avoids such
delays. In particular, when the inspection officer inspects the checkout system
10 during importation thereof into a foreign country, all of the power
connectors associated with the checkout system 10 conform to the IEC 60320
international standard for power connectors thereby eliminating the need for a
certificate of conformance or other documentation in regard to the power
distribution architecture of the system 10.
-
Moreover, only the outlet power cable 198 needs to be swapped in
order to operate the checkout system 10 in various foreign countries. In
particular, a different outlet power cable 198 having a male connector 198b
which is configured to be received into the country-specific wall outlet of each
foreign country may be utilized to couple the UPS 196 (and hence the power
strips 188) to the wall outlet 186. In such a manner, power may be supplied to
each of the system components associated with the checkout system. More
specifically, each of the system components associated with the checkout
system 10 includes an auto-ranging power supply (not shown) which is
capable of converting a wide variety of AC input voltages into the regulated,
predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system
component. For example, the individual power supplies respectively
associated with each of the system components are configured to convert
input power provided in either a European standard (e.g. 240V AC at 50Hz), a
U.S. standard (e.g. 110V AC at 60Hz), or any other standard into the
regulated, predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system
component. Hence, by swapping the outlet power cable 198 to fit into the
country-specific wall outlet 186 of a given foreign country, power may be
supplied to the system components without the need to also change any of the
internal cable connections (i.e. the power cables 190 and 194) or power
supplies within the checkout system 10.
-
It should be appreciated that the use of the power strips 188 and the
port expander devices 108, 110 provides for "modular construction" of the
checkout system 10 by simplifying or otherwise enhancing the cable
management of the checkout system 10. In particular, the port expander
device 108, 110 and the power strips 188 are preferably located in relatively
close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the port expander
devices 108, 110 and the power strips 188 are respectively coupled thereby
reducing the distance across which the individual data and power cables
associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is
preferable to mount one or more of the port expander devices 108, 110 and
one or more of the power strips 188 within the same terminal cabinet 28, 30,
32 in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the particular port
expander devices 108, 110 or the particular power strips 188 are disposed.
-
In such a manner, as described above, each of the data and power
cables associated with the retail peripheral devices are completely contained
within the respective terminal cabinets 28, 30, 32. This allows the system
configuration of the checkout system 10 to be quickly and easily changed to fit
the needs of a given retailer. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, in certain
retail applications it may be desirable to configure the checkout system 10
without the input belt mechanism 20. In such a configuration, a terminal
cabinet 28' having a flat surface or counter 276 secured thereto may be
utilized in lieu of the terminal cabinet 28. Such a change in the configuration
of the checkout system 10 is relatively easy to perform since the terminal
cabinet 28 does not have data or power cables routed therethrough, except for
the cables necessary for operation of the components associated with the
terminal cabinet 28 (e.g. the item sensors 98, 100 and the input belt
mechanism 20).
-
It should be appreciated that other terminal cabinet substitutions may
also be quickly and easily performed due to such modular construction of the
checkout system 10. For example, if a certain retailer does not desire a
takeaway belt mechanism 56 and bagging counter 66, the terminal cabinet 32
may be removed and substituted for a cabinet having a configuration which
meets the retailer's requirements.
-
Moreover, such modular construction of the checkout system 10 also
allows the core design of the system to be utilized in the construction of other
types of checkout systems. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the modular
construction of the checkout system 10 allows the core components of the
system to be utilized in the design of a dedicated self-service checkout system
10'. The self-service checkout system 10' utilizes a similar design concept as
the checkout system 10, but is not convertible into an assisted checkout
system. Such a configuration is useful for retailers which desire a full-time
self-service solution.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 31, the modular construction of the
checkout system 10 allows the core components of the system to be utilized in
the design of a second type of dedicated self-service checkout system 10''.
The self-service checkout system 10'' is substantially the same as the self-service
checkout system 10', but the cash payment devices 46, 48, 50, and 52
and the coupon acceptor 178 have been removed. Such a configuration
further reduces costs associated with manufacture of the system 10'' by
providing a system which accepts payment via debit, credit, or smart card only.
-
In operation, the checkout system 10 may be operated to perform an
assisted checkout transaction or a self-service checkout transaction. In
particular, the checkout system 10 may be operated to perform an assisted
checkout transaction in which retail personnel such as a checkout clerk assists
the customer during the transaction. Prior to performing an assisted checkout
transaction, system components associated with the checkout system 10 are
first positioned in their respective assisted positions. In particular, the scanner
24 is first rotated into its assisted scanner position by, as shown in FIG. 11,
sliding the sliding drawer assembly 38 into its extended position such that the
scanner 24 (and hence the product scale 26) may be rotated to its assisted
scanner position in which the vertical scanning window 24b faces the
personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10. Thereafter, the sliding drawer
assembly is slid back into its retracted position within the interior of the
terminal base 34 such that operation of the scanner 24 by the checkout clerk
may be commenced (see FIGS. 1-4).
-
Moreover, the personnel interface terminal 76 is rotated to its operative
position in which the display monitor 76a associated therewith faces the
personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10. In particular, as shown in FIGS.
1-4 and 23, the terminal support member 80 (and hence the personnel
interface terminal 76) may be rotated relative to the housing 82 which houses
the vertical scanning window 24b of the scanner 24 such that the display
monitor 76a and the keypad 76b face the personnel side 42 of the checkout
system 10.
-
Yet further, the set-aside item shelf 70 is moved relative to the terminal
base 34 so as to be positioned in its assisted shelf position. In particular, as
shown in FIGS. 1-4, 12, and 13, the set-aside item shelf 70 may be slid or
pivoted (depending on the type of mounting configuration utilized to secure the
shelf 70 to the terminal base 34) to its assisted shelf position such that items
may be positioned thereon by the checkout clerk during an assisted checkout
transaction.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, prior to operation of the
checkout system 10 in its assisted mode of operation, the support arm
assembly 160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactive customer interface
terminal 78 to assume its assisted terminal position in which the display
monitor 78a faces the general direction of the payment area 16. It should be
appreciated that during an assisted checkout transaction, the customer is
generally positioned in the proximity of the payment area 16. Hence, by
positioning the display monitor 78a in the position shown in FIG. 19 (i.e. an
assisted monitor position), retail information, along with other messages such
as customer-specific advertisements, may be displayed on the display monitor
78a for viewing by the customer while the checkout clerk enters the
customer's items for purchase with the scanner 24.
-
In addition, the takeaway belt 58 associated with the takeaway belt
mechanism 56 may be positioned to allow the checkout clerk to selectively
advance items to either the assisted bagwell 62 or the bagging counter 66. In
particular, the takeaway belt 58 may be slid between an extended position
(see FIG. 12) and a retracted position (see FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 13,
when the takeaway belt 58 is positioned in its retracted position, an end
portion 58a of the takeaway belt 58 is spaced apart from the scanner 24 so as
to expose the overhead access opening 62a associated with the assisted
bagwell 62 in order to allow the checkout clerk operating the scanner 24 to
place an item into a grocery bag within the assisted bagwell 62 once the item
has been scanned. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 12, when the takeaway belt
58 is positioned in its extended position, the end portion 58a of the takeaway
belt 58 is positioned proximate to the scanner 24 so as to cover the overhead
access opening 62a associated with the assisted bagwell 62 in order to allow
the checkout clerk operating the scanner 24 to place an item onto the
takeaway belt 58 once the item has been scanned in order to allow the item to
be transported to the bagging counter 66 by the takeaway belt mechanism 56.
-
It should be appreciated that once the system components associated
with checkout system 10 have been positioned in the manner described
above, retail personnel actuates the system 10. For example, the checkout
clerk toggles the supervisor switch 106 (see FIG. 9) so as to cause the
processing unit 78b to execute an assisted version of the operating system
software associated with the checkout system 10. In particular, although the
operating system software is essentially the same for checkout system 10
irrespective of whether or not the system 10 is being operated in its self-service
mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation, certain system
functions may be enabled or disabled as the system 10 is switched between
its two modes of operation based on a particular system configuration.
Moreover, prior to operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted mode of
operation, the checkout clerk preferably actuates the lane light 104 (see FIG.
9) so as to cause the lane light 104 to illuminate a "FULL-SERVICE" message
so as to indicate to customers that the particular checkout system is being
operated as an assisted checkout system in which a checkout clerk is
available to assist the customer.
-
Referring now to FIG. 25, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth a
general procedure 200 for checking out items through the checkout system 10
when the system 10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation. It
should be appreciated that when the customer arrives at the checkout system
10, the system 10 is in an idle state (step 202). An initialization step 204 is
executed prior to checking out items for purchase. In particular, the checkout
clerk operating the system 10 enters certain information about the transaction
such as pressing a particular button on the keypad 76b associated with the
personnel interface terminal 76 in order to select a desired method of
payment, and/or (2) identifying the customer by having the customer swipe his
or her loyalty card, debit card, credit card, or smart card through the card
reader associated with the electronic payment terminal 44.
-
At the completion of the initialization step 204, the routine 200
advances to an itemization step 206 where the checkout clerk enters the
customer's individual items for purchase by scanning the items across the
scanner 24. Moreover, in step 206, the checkout clerk may enter items, such
as produce items or the like, by weighing the items with the product scale 26,
and thereafter entering a product lookup code associated with the item via the
keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface terminal 76. Further, in
step 206 the customer may enter an item by manually entering the product
identification code associated with the item via use of the keypad 76b
associated with the personnel interface terminal 76. Such manual entry of an
item may be necessary for items (which would otherwise be entered via the
scanner 24) if the product identification code printed on the item is not
readable by the scanner 24 or if the item is too large or bulky to be scanned
with the scanner 24. It should be appreciated that the checkout system 10
may be alternatively configured such that the routine 200 allows the checkout
clerk to bypass the initialization step 204 thereby advancing directly to the
itemization step 206. In such a configuration, the checkout clerk would begin
the transaction by scanning or otherwise entering the customer's first item for
purchase.
-
At the completion of the itemization step 206, an end-of-itemization
control signal is generated and the routine 200 advances to a finalization step
208 in which (1) a transaction receipt is printed by the receipt printer 54, (2) a
record of the transaction is printed on the journal printer 88, and (3) payment is
tendered by either inserting currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. the coin
acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50), charging a credit card or debit card
account, or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via the
electronic payment terminal 44. In the case of when a customer inserts
currency into the coin acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50, the checkout
system 10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. the coin
dispenser 48 and/or the bill dispenser 52). After completion of the finalization
step 208, the routine 200 returns to step 202 in which the checkout system 10
remains in the idle condition until subsequent initiation thereof.
-
As described, execution of such a procedure provides numerous
advantages to the checkout system 10 of the present invention. For example,
by operating the checkout system 10 such that payment is tendered by the
customer by use of the currency acceptors (i.e. the coin acceptor 46 and/or
the bill acceptor 50) or the electronic payment device 44 without the
assistance of the checkout clerk allows the checkout clerk to begin a
subsequent transaction while the customer completes the current transaction
thereby enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with the checkout
system 10. Similarly, operation of the electronic payment terminal 44 and
generation of the transaction receipt on the customer side 40 of the checkout
system 10 allows the customer to complete his or her transaction without
further assistance from the checkout clerk thereby further enhancing the
efficiency and throughput associated with the checkout system 10.
-
During operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted mode of
operation, a number of software routines are executed to provide security from
improprieties such as theft. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, a scale
security routine 210 is executed during the itemization step 206 (see FIG. 25)
when the checkout system 10 is being operated with the takeaway belt 58
positioned in its retracted belt position (see FIG. 13) in which the checkout
clerk is himself or herself bagging the customer's items for purchase. The
scale security routine 210 monitors output from the security scale 68 thereby
monitoring the movement of items into and out of the post-scan area 18 in an
effort to prevent "sweethearting" (e.g. a situation in which the checkout clerk
scans a first item, but then places a second, more expensive item, or even an
item that the clerk never even attempted to scan, into the customer's bag in
order to provide an improper benefit to the customer who is typically an
acquaintance of the checkout clerk).
-
The scale security routine 210 begins with step 212 in which the
processing unit 78b determines if an item has been entered into the checkout
system 10 by the checkout clerk. In particular, the processing unit 78b scans
or reads the output from the scanner 24 in order to determine if the scanner 24
has successfully read or otherwise captured the product identification code
associated with an item. More specifically, the scanner 24 generates an
output signal which is sent to the processing unit 78b once the scanner 24
successfully reads the product identification code associated with the item.
Similarly, the processing unit 78b scans or reads the output from the product
scale 26 and the keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface terminal
76 to determine if the checkout clerk weighed an item such as produce with
the product scale 26 and thereafter entered a product lookup code associated
with the item via the keypad 76b. Moreover, the processing unit 78b also
monitors output from the keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface
terminal 76 in order to determine if the checkout clerk manually entered a
product identification code associated with an item that was unable to be
scanned with the scanner 24. Hence in step 212, if an item is entered into the
checkout system 10, an item-entered control signal is generated and the scale
security routine 210 advances to step 214. If an item has not been entered
into the checkout system 10 by the checkout clerk, the scale security routine
210 advances to step 216.
-
In step 214, the processing unit 78b retrieves a stored weight value of
the entered item from a weight database. In particular, the processing unit
78b communicates with either a local memory device (e.g. the memory
modules 78d or the hard drive) or a network memory device associated with
the retailer's network 184 in order to retrieve the stored weight value
associated with the entered item from the weight database. As discussed
above, the weight database may be in the form of a master database which
includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a "transaction level"
database which is constructed locally at the checkout system 10 during
operation thereof. In either event, once the stored weight value of the entered
item has been retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine
210 advances to step 218.
-
In step 218, the processing unit 78b determines if the entered item is
placed in the post-scan area 18. More specifically, the security scale 68
generates an output or detection signal which is sent to the processing unit
78b once the security scale 68 has detected placement of an item (1) into one
of the grocery bags within the assisted bagwell 62, or (2) onto the set-aside
item shelf 70. If the security scale 68 detects placement of an item into the
post-scan area 18, the scale security routine 210 is advanced to step 220. If
the security scale does not detect placement of the item into the post-scan
area 18, the scale security routine 210 loops back to step 218 to monitor for
subsequent placement of the item into the post-scan area 18. It should be
appreciated that the checkout system 10 may be configured to allow for the
entry of items without the item being subsequently placed in the post-scan
area 18. For example, if the checkout clerk scans a pack of gum, the gum
may be handed directly to the customer so that the customer may place the
gum into his or her pocket instead of a grocery bag. In such a situation, the
scale security routine 210 would be configured to loop back to step 212 to
monitor entry of subsequent items if a previously entered item is not placed
into the post-scan area 18 within a predetermined time.
-
As described above, if the security scale 68 detects placement of an
item into the post-scan area 18, the scale security routine 210 is advanced to
step 220. In step 220, the processing unit 78b determines if the measured
weight value of the item placed in the post-scan area 18 (as detected by the
security scale 68 in step 218) matches the stored weight value of the entered
item that was retrieved from the weight database in step 214. What is meant
herein by the terms "match", "matches", or "matching" in regard to weight
values is that the magnitude of a first weight value is either equal to, or within
a predetermined tolerance range of, the magnitude of a second weight value.
For example, two weight values "match" if they are identical weight values.
Moreover, a first weight value "matches" a second weight value if the first
weight value is within 2% of the second weight value (assuming a 3%
tolerance range). Yet further, a first weight value "matches" a second weight
value if the first weight value is within 0.05 pounds of the second weight value
(assuming a tolerance range of 0.10 pounds).
-
Hence, in step 220, the processing unit 78b compares the weight value
of the item placed (1) into one of the grocery bags in the assisted bagwell 62,
or (2) onto the set-aside item shelf 70 (as measured by the security scale 68)
with the stored weight value of the entered item that was retrieved from the
weight database in step 214. If the measured weight value of the item placed
into the post-scan area 18 matches the stored weight value of the item
retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine 210 advances to
step 222. If the measured weight value of the item placed into the post-scan
area 18 does not match the stored weight value of the item retrieved from the
weight database, the scale security routine 210 advances to step 224.
-
In step 222, the processing unit 78b determines that a successful
checkout operation has been completed for the particular item selected for
purchase. More specifically, the processing unit 78b concludes that (1) the
checkout clerk apparently scanned or otherwise entered the item since a code
associated with the item was detected in step 212, and (2) the same item was
placed in the post-scan area 18 since the weight values matched in step 220.
Hence, the processing unit 78b adds a record of the properly entered item into
the transaction table. In particular, the processing unit 78b communicates with
the network 25 to obtain product information (e.g. description and price)
associated with the entered item. Thereafter, the processing unit 78b updates
the transaction table. More specifically, the processing unit 78b generates an
output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. the memory
modules 78d or the hard drive) which causes the transaction table to be
updated in the local memory devices to include the product information
associated with the scanned item. As described above, the sum of each of the
items recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g.
coupons), and (2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer
pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table
is printed out on the receipt printer 54 thereby generating a receipt for the
customer at the end of his or her transaction. Once the transaction table has
been updated, a valid-use control signal is generated, and the scale security
routine 210 advances to step 226.
-
In step 226, the processing unit 78b monitors the output from the
keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface terminal 76. In particular,
the checkout clerk touches a particular key of the keypad 76b when the
checkout clerk has completed scanning or otherwise entering all of the
customer's items for purchase. If a particular signal is generated by the
keypad 76b, the processing unit 78b determines that the itemization procedure
206 is complete and the scale security routine 210 ends thereby advancing the
general routine 200 (see FIG. 25) to the finalization step 208. If a particular
signal is not generated by the keypad 76b, the processing unit 78b determines
that the checkout clerk has additional items to enter, and the scale security
routine 210 loops back to step 212 to monitor subsequent item entry.
-
Returning now to step 220, if the measured weight value of the item
placed into the post-scan area 18 does not match the stored weight value of
the entered item retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine
advances to step 224. In step 224, the processing unit 78b increments the
aggregate log and a particular event log associated with item substitutions by
a predetermined value. More specifically, the processing unit 78b generates
an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. the memory
modules 78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log and the aggregate
log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.
-
Thereafter, the processing unit 78b determines if the total value of
either the event log associated with item substitutions or the aggregate log
exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More
specifically, if the event log associated with item substitutions exceeds its
predetermined threshold value, the processing unit 78b causes an output
signal to be generated which causes the paging device 86 and the status light
device 84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such
as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk to
determine if the checkout clerk is attempting to provide improper benefits to
the customer such as by "sweethearting". In addition, if the aggregate log
exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit 78b generates
an output signal which causes the paging device 86 and the status light device
84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a
manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk in a similar
manner. The scale security routine 210 then advances to step 228.
-
In step 228, the processing unit 78b causes a message to be displayed
on the display monitor 76a associated with the personnel interface terminal 76
which instructs the checkout clerk to remove the item from the post-scan area
18 and thereafter place the proper item into the post-scan area. The scale
security routine 210 then advances to step 230.
-
In step 230, the processing unit 78b communicates with the security
scale 68 in order to determine if the substituted item is removed from the post-scan
area 18 by the checkout clerk, as instructed. In particular, the security
scale 68 generates an output signal which is sent to the processing unit 78b
when the checkout clerk (1) removes the substituted item from one of the
grocery bags in the assisted bagwell 62, or (2) takes the substituted item off of
the set-aside item shelf 70. It should be appreciated that the processing unit
78b compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of the
substituted item that was determined when it was placed in the post-scan area
18 (as detected in step 218) in order to ensure that the proper item is
removed. If the proper item is removed from the post-scan area 18, an item-removed
control signal is generated and the scale security routine 210 loops
back to step 218 to monitor subsequent placement of the correct item into the
post-scan area 18. If the proper item has not yet been removed from the post-scan
area 18, the scale security routine 210 loops back to step 230 to monitor
subsequent removal of the proper item from the post-scan area 18.
-
Returning now to step 212, if an item was not scanned or otherwise
entered into the checkout system 10, the scale security routine 210 advances
to step 216. In step 216, the processing unit 78b determines if an unentered
item is placed in the post-scan area 18. More specifically, the security scale
68 generates an output or detection signal which is sent to the processing unit
78b once the security scale 68 has detected placement of an item (1) into the
assisted bagwell 62, or (2) onto the set-aside item shelf 70. If the security
scale 68 detects placement of an unentered item into the post-scan area 18,
an invalid-use control signal is generated, and the scale security routine 210 is
advanced to step 232. If the security scale 68 does not detect placement of
an unentered item into the post-scan area 18, the processing unit 78b
concludes that there is no present item entry attempt being made by the
checkout clerk, and the scale security routine 210 loops back to step 212 to
monitor for subsequent item entry.
-
In step 232, the processing unit 78b increments the aggregate log and
a particular event log associated with unentered item placement (i.e.
placement of an unentered item into the post-scan area 18) by a
predetermined value. More specifically, the processing unit 78b generates an
output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. the memory
modules 78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log associated with
unentered item placement and the aggregate log to be incremented in the
local memory devices by a value of one.
-
Thereafter, the processing unit 78b determines if the total value of
either the event log associated with unentered item placement or the
aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each
log. More specifically, if the event log associated with unentered item
placement exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit 78b
causes an output signal to be generated which causes the paging device 86
and the status light device 84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon
retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the
checkout clerk to determine if the checkout clerk is attempting to provide
improper benefits to the customer such as by "sweethearting". In addition, if
the aggregate log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing
unit 78b generates an output signal which causes the paging device 86 and
the status light device 84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail
personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the
checkout clerk in a similar manner. The scale security routine 210 then
advances to step 234.
-
In step 234, the processing unit 78b causes a message to be displayed
on the display monitor 76a associated with the personnel interface terminal 76
which instructs the checkout clerk to remove the unentered item from the post-scan
area 18 and thereafter properly scan or otherwise enter the item into the
checkout system 10. The scale security routine 210 then advances to step
236.
-
In step 236, the processing unit 78b communicates with the security
scale 68 in order to determine if the unentered item is removed from the post-scan
area 18 by the checkout clerk, as instructed. In particular, the security
scale 68 generates a removal output signal which is sent to the processing
unit 78b when the checkout clerk (1) removes the unentered item from one of
the grocery bags in the assisted bagwell 62, or (2) takes the unentered item off
of the set-aside item shelf 70. It should be appreciated that the processing
unit 78b compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of
the unentered item that was determined when it was placed in the post-scan
area 18 (as detected in step 216) in order to ensure that the proper item is
removed. In particular, the processing unit 78b generates a match control
signal if the weight value of the removed item matches the weight value of the
unentered item that was placed in the post-scan area 18. In response to
generation of the match control signal, the processing unit 78b causes a
message to be displayed on the display monitor 76a which instructs the
checkout clerk to re-enter the item. Hence, in step 236, if the proper item is
removed from the post-scan area 18, an item-removed control signal is
generated and the scale security routine 210 loops back to step 212 to monitor
subsequent entry of the item. If the proper item has not yet been removed
from the post-scan area 18, or a different item is removed, an instruction is
displayed on the display monitor 76a which instructs the checkout clerk to
remove the proper item, and the scale security routine 210 loops back to step
236 to monitor subsequent removal of the proper item from the post-scan area
18.
-
As described above, use of the scale security routine 210 provides the
checkout system 10 with numerous advantages over heretofore designed
checkout systems. For example, as described in detail above, use of the
scale security routine 210 provides security from improprieties such as
"sweethearting" during operation of the checkout system 10 by a checkout
clerk. Such capabilities are not possible with heretofore designed assisted
checkout systems. This is true since heretofore designed assisted checkout
systems have not been configured with a security scale due to, amongst other
reasons, cost of the scale. However, since the design of the checkout system
10 of the present invention includes a security scale (i.e. the security scale 68)
for operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of operation,
novel additions, manipulations, and modifications to the operating system
software allows the security scale 68 to be utilized to provide security against
improprieties on the part of the checkout clerk during operation of the checkout
system 10 in its assisted mode of operation without adding additional costs to
manufacture of the system 10.
-
It should be appreciated that other security mechanisms may also be
operated during operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted mode of
operation. For example, the security deactivation device 172 of the present
invention is operated to generate a deactivation field in the form of a magnetic
field or electromagnetic field during operation of the checkout system 10 so as
to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase as the items
are scanned by the checkout clerk with the scanner 24. In particular, as
described above, the security deactivation device 172 generates a
deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a
scanner detection zone associated with the scanner 24. By generating the
deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a scanning motion
utilized by the checkout clerk to scan an item with the scanner 24 causes the
item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the
electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion.
-
Moreover, the video system 94 (see FIG. 9) may also be utilized to
provide security from improprieties such as theft when the checkout system 10
is being operated in its assisted mode of operation. In particular, referring now
to FIG. 27, a video security routine 250 is executed, for example, at the end of
the itemization step 206 (see FIG. 25), prior to the beginning of the finalization
step 208. The video security routine 250 monitors video images captured by
the video camera 94a in order to determine if the customer's shopping
receptacle (e.g. the shopping cart 238 or the shopping basket 240) is devoid
of items.
-
The video security routine 250 begins with step 252 in which the
processing unit 78b communicates with the video system 94 in order to
capture and thereafter store video images associated with a shopping
receptacle. In particular, the processing unit 78b operates the video system
94 so as to cause the video camera 94a to capture a video image of the
shopping cart 238 or the shopping basket 240 (see FIG. 16) thereby creating
an electronic video file of the captured video image of the shopping cart 238 or
shopping basket 240. The video security routine 250 then advances to step
254.
-
In step 254, the processing unit 78b retrieves a reference electronic
video file. In particular, the processing unit 78b communicates with either a
local memory device (e.g. the memory modules 78d or the hard drive) or a
network memory device associated with the retailer's network 184 in order to
retrieve the reference electronic video file therefrom. As discussed above, a
reference video image of an empty shopping cart or shopping basket is stored
as a reference electronic video file in either a local memory device associated
with the checkout system (e.g. the memory modules 78d or a hard drive) or on
a network memory device associated with the retailer's network 184. Once
the reference electronic video file of the empty shopping cart or shopping
basket has been retrieved from the memory device, the video security routine
250 advances to step 256.
-
In step 256, the processing unit 78b compares the electronic video files
in order to determine if the customer's shopping cart 238 or shopping basket
240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty). In particular, the electronic video file
associated with the captured image of the shopping cart 238 or shopping
basket 240 is compared to the reference electronic video file associated with
an empty shopping cart or shopping basket. If the electronic video file
associated with the captured image of the shopping cart 238 or shopping
basket 240 matches the reference electronic video file associated with an
empty shopping cart or shopping basket, a receptacle-empty control signal is
generated and the scale security routine 250 ends thereby advancing the
general routine 200 to the finalization step (see FIG. 25). However, if the
electronic video file associated with the captured image of the shopping cart
238 or shopping basket 240 does not match the reference electronic video file
associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, an item-remaining
control signal is generated and the video security routine 250 advances to step
258.
-
In step 258, the processing unit 78b increments by a predetermined
value both the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with items
remaining in a shopping receptacle. More specifically, the processing unit 78b
generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. the
memory modules 78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log and the
aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of
one.
-
Thereafter, the processing unit 78b determines if the total value of
either the event log associated with items remaining in a shopping receptacle
or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for
each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with items remaining in
a shopping receptacle exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the
processing unit 78b causes an output signal to be generated which causes the
paging device 86 and the status light device 84 to be operated to page or
otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist the
checkout clerk in order to determine if the customer is attempting to commit an
impropriety such as theft. In addition, if the aggregate log exceeds its
predetermined threshold value, the processing unit 78b generates an output
signal which causes the paging device 86 and the status light device 84 to be
operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in
order to assist the checkout clerk in a similar manner. The video security
routine 250 then advances to step 260.
-
In step 260, the processing unit 78b causes a message to be displayed
on the display monitor 76a associated with the personnel interface terminal 76
which instructs the checkout clerk to inform the customer that he or she has
items remaining in his or her shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240. The
video security routine 250 then advances to step 262.
-
In step 262, the processing unit 78b communicates with the video
system 94 in order to capture and thereafter store a second video image
associated with the shopping receptacle in order to determine if the customer
removed the remaining item or items as instructed. In particular, the
processing unit 78b operates the video system 94 so as to cause the video
camera 94a to capture a second video image of the shopping cart 238 or the
shopping basket 240 thereby creating a second electronic video file having the
second captured video image of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket
240. The video security routine 250 then advances to step 264.
-
In step 264, the processing unit 78b compares the electronic video files
in order to determine if the customer removed the item or items from his or her
shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 as instructed. In particular, the
electronic video file associated with the second captured image of the
shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 is compared to the reference
electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping
basket. If the electronic video file associated with the second captured image
of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 matches the reference
electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping
basket, a receptacle-empty control signal is generated and the scale security
routine 250 ends thereby advancing the general routine 200 to the finalization
step (see FIG. 25). However, if the electronic video file associated with the
second captured image of the shopping cart 238 or shopping basket 240 does
not match the reference electronic video file associated with an empty
shopping cart or shopping basket, an item-remaining control signal is
generated and the video security routine 250 advances to step 266.
-
In step 266, the processing unit 78b generates a personnel-needed
control signal in response to generation of the second item-remaining control
signal. In particular, the processing unit 78b causes a message to be
displayed on the display monitor 76a of the personnel interface terminal 76
which informs the checkout clerk of the item or items remaining in the
customer's shopping cart 238 of shopping basket 240. Moreover, the
processing unit 78b may also communicate with the paging device 86 and the
status light device 84 in order to summon additional retail personnel such as a
customer service manager.
-
As described above, use of the video security routine 250 provides the
checkout system 10 with numerous advantages over heretofore designed
checkout systems. For example, as described in detail above, use of the
video security routine 250 provides security from unintentional or intentional
improprieties such as theft in regard to items remaining in the customer's
shopping receptacle. Such remaining items might otherwise be allowed to
leave the retailer's store without having first been paid for.
-
Moreover, the video camera 94a may also be operated to capture a
video image of the checkout clerk operating the checkout system 10. In a
known manner, the captured video image of the checkout clerk is then stored
in the form of an electronic video file by the processing unit 78b. A
subsequent video image (which is representative of the captured video image)
may then be extracted from the electronic video file for use by the checkout
system 10. For example, an extracted video image of the checkout clerk (i.e.
a video image extracted from the stored electronic file) could be displayed on
the display monitor 76a of the personnel interface terminal 76 in order to serve
as a psychological deterrent against "sweethearting" or other improprieties.
Moreover, the extracted video image of the checkout clerk could be printed
with the receipt printer 54 in order to serve as an additional psychological
deterrent against "sweethearting" or other improprieties.
-
As alluded to above, the status light device 84 and the paging device
86 may be utilized during operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted
mode of operation in order to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to
the checkout system 10. In particular, if during operation of the checkout
system 10 in its assisted mode of operation, an intervention-needed activity is
detected, the status light device 84 and the paging device 86 are operated so
as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager in order to
provide assistance to the checkout clerk. As described in detail above, such
an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity
in which the checkout system 10 is being operated in a manner which is
placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being
taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or
unintentionally). An intervention-needed activity may also take the form of a
non-security-breach activity in which the checkout clerk is in need of
assistance or the checkout system 10 is in need of maintenance, but the
retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store
without having first been paid for. For example, if the checkout clerk scanned
a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag
as detected by, for example, the security scale 68 (e.g. "sweethearting"), the
processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has
occurred. Moreover, if the checkout clerk operating the system 10 touches a
particular key on the keypad 76b associated with the personnel interface
terminal 76 (see FIG. 23), thereby indicating that he or she is in need of
assistance, the processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed
activity has occurred.
-
In addition, the processing unit 78b may monitor the status of the retail
peripheral devices associated with the checkout system 10 in order to
determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, the
processing unit 78b preferably monitors the currency level within the coin
dispenser 48 and the bill dispenser 52 in order to determine if either currency
dispenser 48, 52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, the processing unit 78b
preferably monitors the paper supply level within the receipt printer 54 and a
journal printer 88 (see FIG. 9) in order to determine if either printer 54, 88 is in
need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of the currency
dispensers 48, 52 or the printers 54, 88 is in need of restocking, the
processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has
occurred.
-
As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been
detected, the status light device 84 is operated to summon retail personnel.
For example, the status light device 84 may display a first colored light (e.g.
yellow) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the
end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the status light device
84 may display a second colored light (e.g. red) in order to notify retail
personnel that intervention is needed immediately.
-
As with the status light device 84, the paging device 86 is utilized to
page or otherwise summon retail personnel to the checkout system 10 once
an intervention-needed activity has been detected. The paging device 86 is
particularly useful since it is operable to communicate with retail personnel
who are positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out of
the view of the status light device 84. In particular, the signal transmitter 86a
of the paging device 86 communicates with a number of portable
communication devices such as wireless alphanumeric pagers 90. Hence,
upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by the processing unit 78b,
an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Upon generation of an
intervention-needed control signal, the signal transmitter 86a generates an RF
personnel-request signal which is received by the pagers 90. The personnel-request
signal includes a specific alphanumeric message which includes such
information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity
of the particular checkout system 10 which requires assistance. For example,
if one of the currency dispensers 48, 52 needs to be restocked, the signal
transmitter 86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which causes a
message to be displayed on one of the pagers 90 which informs the customer
service manager wearing the pager 90 that a particular checkout system 10 is,
for example, running low on dimes.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 22 and discussed above, the signal
transmitter 86a may communicate with the signal receiver 92a associated with
the intercom device 92 in order to generate audible messages which are
broadcast to retail personnel within the store with the speakers 92b. In
particular, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by the processing
unit 78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an
intervention-needed control signal causes the signal transmitter 86a to
generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by the signal
receiver 92a associated with the intercom device 92. The personnel-request
signal includes a specific code which corresponds to a number of specific,
prerecorded audible messages stored in, or otherwise maintained by, the
controller 92c of the intercom device 92. For example, each of the
prerecorded messages may include such information as the nature of the
intervention which is needed and the identity of the particular checkout system
10 which requires assistance. The controller 92c causes such prerecorded
audible messages to be broadcast with the speakers 92b so as to be audibly
detected by retail personnel such as a customer service manager within the
retailer's store. For example, if one of the currency dispensers 48, 52 needs
to be restocked, the signal transmitter 86a generates an RF personnel-request
signal which, once received by the signal receiver 92a, causes an audible
message to be broadcast on the speakers 92b which informs the customer
service manager that a particular checkout system 10 is, for example, running
low on dimes.
-
Additionally, during operation of the checkout system 10 in its assisted
mode of operation, the display monitor 78a of the interactive customer
interface terminal 78 may be utilized to display certain information to the
customer while the checkout clerk is entering the customer's items for
purchase. For example, a customer-specific message such as a customer-specific
advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the
customer during a previous visit to the retailer's store may be displayed on a
first portion 272 of the display monitor 78a, as shown in FIG. 21, while
transaction information such as item description and price is displayed on a
second portion 274 of the display monitor 78a. In particular, during an
assisted checkout transaction, the processing unit 78b retrieves information
from a customer profile database which contains customer-specific information
(e.g. previous purchases) about each of the retailer's customers. Hence, as
shown in FIG. 21, if the customer routinely purchases "ACME BEER", an
advertisement for "ACME BEER" may be displayed on the first portion 272 of
the display monitor 78a while the checkout clerk is entering the customer's
items for purchase.
-
Moreover, such a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific
advertisement which advertises a product that may be used in
conjunction with a product which was previously scanned or otherwise entered
into the checkout system 10 during the current checkout transaction. For
example, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer included in the customer's
items for purchase, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to
the customer on the first portion 272 if the display monitor 78b since pretzels
are commonly consumed with beer.
-
It should be appreciated that such customer-specific messages may
also be communicated by other components associated with the checkout
system 10. For example, customer-specific messages may be displayed to
the checkout clerk with the display monitor 76a of the personnel interactive
terminal 76. For instance, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer or other
type of alcohol, a customer-specific message may displayed on the display
monitor 76a which informs the checkout clerk that the customer is not old
enough to purchase the beer or other type of alcohol. Similarly, customer-specific
advertisement messages could be displayed on the display monitor
76a in order to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer
in a personal manner by the checkout clerk.
-
As described above, the checkout system 10 may also be operated to
perform a self-service checkout transaction in which the customer completes
his or her checkout transaction without the assistance of retail personnel such
as a checkout clerk. Prior to performing a self-service checkout transaction,
system components associated with the checkout system 10 are first
positioned in their respective self-service positions. In particular, the scanner
24 must be rotated from its assisted scanner position (as shown in FIGS. 1-4)
to its self-service scanner position (as shown in FIGS. 5-8). As shown in FIG.
11, the sliding drawer assembly 38 is first slid into its extended position such
that the scanner 24 (and hence the product scale 26) may be rotated from its
assisted scanner position to its self-service scanner position in which the
vertical scanning window 24b faces the customer side 40 of the checkout
system 10. Thereafter, the sliding drawer assembly is slid back into its
retracted position within the interior of the terminal base 34 such that operation
of the scanner 24 by the customer may be commenced (see FIGS. 5-8).
-
It should be appreciated that the scanner 24 may be moved from its
assisted scanner position to its self-service scanner position in other manners.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 17, the scanner 24 may be embodied as a
known "flatbed" scanner (hereinafter designated as scanner 24') which
contains a single, horizontal scanning aperture similar to the horizontal
scanning window 24a. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to rotate the
scanner 24' between its assisted and self-service positions due to the absence
of the vertical scanning window 24b. Hence, the scanner 24' may be slidably
secured to the terminal base 34 in order to be slid between its assisted
scanner position (as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 17) and its self-service
scanner position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 17). It should be appreciated
that, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 17, the personnel interface terminal 76
is mounted on a support such as a pole or the like in conjunction with use of
the scanner 24' due to the absence of the housing 82.
-
Moreover, prior to operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service
mode of operation, the personnel interface terminal 76 is rotated to its
operative position in which the display monitor 76a associated therewith faces
the personnel side 42 of the checkout system 10. In particular, when the
scanner 24 is rotated to its self-service scanner position as described above,
the personnel interface terminal 76 (being mounted on the housing 82 which
houses the vertical scanning window 24b) is likewise rotated thereby causing
the display monitor 76a and the keypad 76b to face the customer side 40 of
the checkout system 10. However, as described above, the personnel
interface terminal 76 is not utilized by the customer when the checkout system
10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. Accordingly, it is
desirable to position the personnel interface terminal 76 such that the display
monitor 76a and the keypad 76b face away from the customer. As shown in
FIGS. 5-8 and 24, the terminal support member 80 (and hence the personnel
interface terminal 76) may be rotated relative to the housing 82 which houses
the vertical scanning window 24b of the scanner 24 such that the display
monitor 76a and the keypad 76b face the personnel side 42 of the checkout
system 10 when the checkout system 10 is operated in its self-service mode of
operation.
-
It should be appreciated that such positioning of the personnel interface
terminal 76 (i.e. facing it away from the customer) provides numerous
advantages to the design of the checkout system 10 when it is being operated
in its self-service mode of operation. For example, such positioning of the
personnel interface terminal 76 reduces or potentially eliminates the possibility
that the keypad 76b is accidentally operated by the customer. Moreover, by
facing the keypad 76b and the display monitor 76a away from the customer,
the customer is confronted with fewer system components when approaching
the checkout system 10 which reduces the "intimidation effect" on new or
inexperienced customers thereby rendering the new or inexperienced
customer more likely to utilize the checkout system 10 as a self-service
solution. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 24, such positioning of the personnel
interface terminal 76 allows the laminated sign 80b secured to the surface 80a
of the terminal support member 80 to be viewed by the customer. As
described above, the message printed on the sign 80b is displayed to the
customer in order present an advertisement for a product or service offered by
the retailer. Moreover, the retailer may sell the space on the laminated sign
80b to an outside company or business (e.g. a real estate agent or mortgage
broker) in order to generate additional revenue. The message printed on the
sign 80b may alternatively include instructions which instruct the customer on
operation of the checkout system 10.
-
Yet further, the set-aside item shelf 70 is moved relative to the terminal
base 34 so as to be positioned in its self-service shelf position. In particular,
as shown in FIGS. 5-8 and 15, the set-aside item shelf 70 may be slid or
pivoted (depending on the type of mounting configuration utilized to secure the
shelf 70 to the terminal base 34) to its self-service shelf position such that
items may be positioned thereon by the customer during a self-service
checkout transaction. As shown in FIG. 5, by positioning the set-aside item
shelf 70 in its self-service position, the self-service bagwell 60 is exposed
thereby allowing the customer to advance items into the grocery bags (not
shown) located therein.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 20, prior to operation of the
checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of operation, the support arm
assembly 160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactive customer interface
terminal 78 to assume its self-service terminal position in which the display
monitor 78a faces the general direction of the area located in front of the self-service
bagwell 60. It should be appreciated that during a self-service
checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the proximity of
the area located in front of the self-service bagwell 60 in order to scan items
with the scanner 24 and thereafter place the items in grocery bags positioned
in the self-service bagwell 60. Moreover, by positioning the display monitor
78a in the position shown in FIG. 20 (i.e. a self-service monitor position), retail
information such as transaction information (e.g. product prices and
descriptions), along with other messages such as instructional and
advertisement messages, may be displayed on the display monitor 78a for
viewing by the customer while the customer enters his or her items for
purchase with the scanner 24.
-
It should be appreciated that once the system components associated
with checkout system 10 have been positioned in the manner described
above, retail personnel actuates the system 10 prior to allowing the first
customer to operate the system 10. For example, the customer service
manager toggles the supervisor switch 106 (see FIG. 9) so as to cause the
processing unit 78b to execute a self-service version of the operating system
software associated with the checkout system 10. In particular, although the
operating system software is essentially the same for checkout system 10
irrespective of whether or not the system 10 is being operated in its assisted
mode of operation or its self-service mode of operation, certain system
functions may be enabled or disabled as the system 10 is switched between
its two modes of operations based on a particular system configuration.
Moreover, prior to operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode
of operation, the customer service manager preferably actuates the lane light
104 (see FIG. 9) so as to cause the lane light 104 to illuminate a "SELF-SERVICE"
message in order to indicate to customers that the particular
checkout system 10 is being operated as a self-service checkout system.
-
Referring now to FIG. 28, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth a
general procedure 300 for checking out items through the checkout system 10
when the system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. It
should be appreciated that when the customer arrives at the checkout system
10, the system 10 is in an idle state (step 302). An initialization step 304 is
executed prior to checking out items for purchase. In particular, a message is
displayed on the display monitor 78a associated with the interactive customer
interface terminal 78 which instructs the customer to (1) to select a desired
method of payment by touching a particular portion of the touch screen
associated with the display monitor 78a, and/or (2) identify himself or herself
by swiping his or her loyalty card, debit card, credit card, or smart card through
the card reader associated with the electronic payment terminal 44.
-
At the completion of the initialization step 304, the routine 300
advances to an itemization step 306 where the customer enters the
customer's individual items for purchase by scanning the items across the
scanner 24. Moreover, in step 306, the customer may enter items, such as
produce items or the like, by weighing the items with the product scale 26, and
thereafter entering a product lookup code associated with the item via the
touch screen associated with the display monitor 78a. Further, in step 306 the
customer may enter an item by manually entering the product identification
code associated with the item via use of the touch screen associated with the
display monitor 78a. Such manual entry of an item may be necessary for
items (which would otherwise be entered via the scanner 24) if the product
identification code printed on the item is not readable by the scanner 24 or if
the item is too large or bulky to be scanned with the scanner 24. It should be
appreciated that the checkout system 10 may be configured such that the
routine 300 allows more experienced customers to bypass the initialization
step 304 thereby advancing directly to the itemization step 306. In such a
configuration, the customer would begin the transaction by scanning or
otherwise entering his or her first item for purchase.
-
At the completion of the itemization step 306, an end-of-itemization
control signal is generated and the routine 300 advances to a finalization step
308 in which (1) a transaction receipt is printed by the receipt printer 54, (2) a
record of the transaction is printed on the journal printer 88, and (3) payment is
tendered by either inserting currency into the currency acceptors (i.e. the coin
acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50), charging a credit card or debit card
account or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via the
electronic payment terminal 44. In the case of when a customer inserts
currency into the coin acceptor 46 and/or the bill acceptor 50, the checkout
system 10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. the coin
dispenser 48 and/or the bill dispenser 52). After completion of the finalization
step 308, the routine 300 returns to step 302 in which the checkout system 10
remains in the idle condition until a subsequent customer initializes the system
10.
-
During operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of
operation, a number of software routines are executed to provide security from
improprieties such as theft. For example, a scale security routine similar to the
scale security routine 210 (see FIG. 26) is executed in order to monitor the
movement of items into and out of the post-scan area 18. More specifically,
during operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of
operation, a scale security routine is executed which monitors (1) the
movement of items into and out of the self-service bagwell 60, and (2) onto
and off of the set-aside item shelf 70 in order to reduce the number of
occasions in which the customer commits an impropriety such as theft. Since
the scale security routine executed when the checkout system 10 is being
operated in its self-service mode of operation is somewhat similar to the scale
security routine executed when the checkout system 10 is being operated in
its assisted mode of operation, further discussion thereof is not warranted.
-
It should be appreciated that other security mechanisms may also be
operated during operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service mode
of operation. For example, the security deactivation device 172 of the present
invention is operated to generate a deactivation field in the form of a magnetic
field or electromagnetic field during operation of the checkout system 10 in its
self-service mode of operation so as to deactivate electronic tags associated
with items for purchase as the items are scanned by the customer with the
scanner 24. In particular, as described above, the security deactivation device
172 generates a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic
field) proximate to a scanner detection zone associated with the scanner 24.
By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a
scanning motion utilized by the customer to scan an item with the scanner 24
causes the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby
deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item in the same
scanning motion.
-
As described above, such utilization of the security deactivation device
172 is particularly useful when the checkout system 10 is being operated in its
self-service mode of operation. In particular, by "automatically" deactivating
the electronic security tag when the item is being scanned by a customer (i.e.
deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to
perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior
to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout
systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a
centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the
customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to
determine which of the customer's items contain electronic security tags that
need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the
electronic security tags associated with the customer's items for purchase. It
should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his
or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags
adds cost to the retailer's operation (e.g. the cost associated with staffing the
centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the
customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailer's
store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue
is present at the centralized area.
-
Hence, utilization of the security deactivation device 172 of the present
invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout
systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of
items into the checkout system 10 by the customer. In particular, utilization of
the security deactivation device 172 eliminates the need for the retail clerk to
intervene into the customer's transaction thereby reducing labor costs
associated with the retailer's operation, along with increasing convenience to
the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or
queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the
scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as
a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a
separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby
reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during
operation of the system 10.
-
It should be appreciated that the security deactivation device 172 may
be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g. the
magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field
once the product code associated with the item has been captured by the
scanner 24. In particular, under the premise that if the customer is making an
attempt to scan the item, the customer is likely not trying to commit an
impropriety such as theft, the security deactivation device 172 may be
configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the
electronic security tag is deactivated whether or not the product code
associated with the item is actually captured with the scanner 24. For
example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner 24 (by
advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code
associated with the item facing one of the scanning windows 24a, 24b), but
the product code is not captured by the scanner for any reason, the security
deactivation device 172, if configured to continuously produce the deactivation
field, may cause the electronic security label to be deactivated even though
the item was not actually entered in the checkout system 10. However, in the
case of operation of the checkout system 10 by an honest customer, such
premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is
subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g. by re-scanning the item or
manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the
customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item
since the customer is not made aware of the fact that the electronic security
tag has been deactivated.
-
However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security
tag is prematurely deactivated and the item is not subsequently entered into
the checkout system 10, the security deactivation device 172 may be
configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code
associated with the item has been entered into the system 10. In particular,
an item-entered control signal is generated when a product code associated
with an item is captured by the scanner 24. In response to generation of the
item-entered control signal, the security deactivation device 172 may be
instantaneously actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby
deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In
such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field
generated by the security deactivation device 172 may be configured to
ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a scanning motion or
subsequent handling motion (e.g. the motion associated with placement of the
item into the post-scan area 18).
-
Moreover, the video system 94 (see FIG. 9) may also be utilized to
provide security from improprieties such as theft when the checkout system 10
is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, a video
security routine similar to the video security routine 250 is executed, for
example, at the end of the itemization step 306 (see FIG. 28), but prior to the
beginning of the finalization step 308. As with the video security routine 250
utilized when the checkout system 10 is operated in its assisted mode of
operation, the video security routine utilized when the checkout system 10 is
being operated in its self-service mode of operation monitors video images
captured by the video camera 94a in order to determine if the customer's
shopping receptacle (e.g. the shopping cart 238 or the shopping basket 240)
is devoid of items (i.e. empty). Since the video security routine executed when
the checkout system 10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation
is somewhat similar to the video security routine executed when the checkout
system 10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation, further
discussion thereof is not warranted.
-
Moreover, the video camera 94a may also be operated to capture a
video image of the customer operating the checkout system 10. In a known
manner, the captured video image of the checkout clerk is then stored in the
form of an electronic video file by the processing unit 78b. A subsequent
video image (which is representative of the captured video image) may then
be extracted from the electronic video file for use by the system 10. For
example, an extracted video image of the customer (i.e. a video image
extracted from the stored electronic file) may be displayed on the display
monitor 78a of the interactive customer interface terminal 78 in order to serve
as a psychological deterrent against theft or other improprieties. Moreover,
the extracted video image of the customer may also be printed with the receipt
printer 54 onto the customer's transaction receipt 96 (see FIG. 14) in order to
serve as an additional psychological deterrent against theft or other
improprieties.
-
As alluded to above, the status light device 84 and the paging device
86 may be utilized during operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service
mode of operation in order to page or otherwise summon retail
personnel to the checkout system 10. In particular, if during operation of the
checkout system 10 in its self-service mode of operation, an intervention-needed
activity is detected, the status light device 84 and the paging device
86 are operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service
manager in order to assist and/or investigate the customer's operation of the
system 10. As described in detail above, such an intervention-needed activity
may take the form of a security-breach activity in which the checkout system
10 is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of
potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having
first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally). An intervention-needed
activity may also take the form of a non-security-breach activity in
which the customer is in need of assistance or the checkout system 10 is in
need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to
goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For
example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then placed a second item
of greater value into a grocery bag as detected by, for example, the security
scale 68, the processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed
activity has occurred. Moreover, if the customer operating the system 10
touches a particular portion of the touch screen associated with the display
monitor 78a, thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, the
processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has
occurred.
-
In addition, the processing unit 78b may monitor the status of the retail
peripheral devices associated with the checkout system 10 in order to
determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, the
processing unit 78b preferably monitors the currency level within the coin
dispenser 48 and the bill dispenser 52 in order to determine if either currency
dispenser 48, 52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, the processing unit 78b
preferably monitors the paper supply level within the receipt printer 54 and a
journal printer 88 (see FIG. 9) in order to determine if either printer 54, 88 is in
need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of the currency
dispensers 48, 52 or the printers 54, 88 is in need of restocking, the
processing unit 78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has
occurred.
-
As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been
detected, the status light device 84 is operated to summon retail personnel.
For example, the status light device 84 may display a first colored light (e.g.
yellow) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the
end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the status light device
84 may display a second colored light (e.g. red) in order to notify retail
personnel that intervention is needed immediately.
-
As with the status light device 84, the paging device 86 is utilized to
page or otherwise summon retail personnel to the checkout system 10 once
an intervention-needed activity has be detected. The paging device 86 is
particularly useful since it is operable to communicate with retail personnel
who are positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out of
the view of the status light device 84. In particular, the signal transmitter 86a
of the paging device 86 communicates with a number of portable
communication devices such as wireless alphanumeric pagers 90. Hence,
upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by the processing unit 78b,
an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Upon generation of an
intervention-needed control signal, the signal transmitter 86a generates an RF
personnel-request signal which is received by the pagers 90. The personnel-request
signal includes a specific alphanumeric message that includes such
information as the nature of the intervention that is needed and the identity of
the particular checkout system 10 that requires assistance. For example, if
one of the currency dispensers 48, 52 needs to be restocked, the signal
transmitter 86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which causes a
message to be displayed on one of the pagers 90 which informs the customer
service manager wearing the pager 90 that a particular checkout system 10 is,
for example, running low on dimes.
-
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 22 and discussed above, the signal
transmitter 86a may communicate with the signal receiver 92a associated with
the intercom device 92 in order to generate audible messages which are
broadcast to retail personnel within the store with the speakers 92b. In
particular, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by the processing
unit 78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an
intervention-needed control signal causes the signal transmitter 86a to
generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by the signal
receiver 92a associated with the intercom device 92. The personnel-request
signal includes a specific code which corresponds to a number of specific,
prerecorded audible messages stored in, or otherwise maintained by, the
controller 92c of the intercom device 92. For example, each of the
prerecorded messages may include such information as the nature of the
intervention which is needed and the identity of the particular checkout system
10 which requires assistance. The controller 92c causes such prerecorded
audible messages to be broadcast with the speakers 92b so as to be audibly
detected by retail personnel such as a customer service manager within the
retailer's store. For example, if one of the currency dispensers 48, 52 needs
to be restocked, the signal transmitter 86a generates an RF personnel-request
signal which, once received by the signal receiver 92a, causes an audible
message to be broadcast on the speakers 92b which informs the customer
service manager that a particular checkout system 10 is, for example, running
low on dimes.
-
Additionally, during operation of the checkout system 10 in its self-service
mode of operation, the display monitor 78a of the interactive customer
interface may be utilized to display certain information to the customer while
the customer is entering his or her items for purchase. For example, a
customer-specific message such as a customer-specific advertisement which
advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous
visit to the retailer's store may be displayed on the first portion 272 of the
display monitor 78a, as shown in FIG. 21, while transaction information such
as item description and price is displayed on the second portion 274 of the
display monitor 78a. In particular, during a self-service checkout transaction,
the processing unit 78b retrieves information from a customer profile database
which contains customer-specific information (e.g. previous purchases) about
each of the retailer's customers. Hence, as shown in FIG. 21, if the customer
routinely purchases "ACME BEER", an advertisement for "ACME BEER" may
be displayed on the first portion 272 of the display monitor 78a while the
customer is entering the his or her items for purchase.
-
Moreover, such a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific
advertisement which advertises a product which may be used in
conjunction with a product which was previously scanned or otherwise entered
into the checkout system 10 during the current checkout transaction. For
example, if the customer scans a case of beer, an advertisement relating to
pretzels may be displayed to the customer on the first portion 272 if the display
monitor 78b since pretzels are commonly consumed with beer.
-
As described above in detail, the checkout system 10 of the present
invention provides numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout
systems. For example, the checkout system 10 provides a low-cost, easy-to-operate
checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout
system or a self-service checkout system. Moreover, the checkout system 10
of the present invention provides a checkout system that may be operated as
either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system that can
be quickly and easily converted between the two types of systems. Yet
further, the checkout system 10 of the present invention provides a checkout
system that can be imported into numerous foreign countries with minimal
effort during the importation process in regard to compliance of local electrical
standards. In addition, the checkout system 10 of the present invention
provides a checkout system has enhanced data and power cable routing
management relative to heretofore designed checkout systems. Moreover,
the checkout system 10 of the present invention provides a checkout system
which may be constructed of "off the shelf", industry-standard retail peripheral
devices thereby substantially eliminating costs associated with development of
proprietary data transmission and power architectures.
-
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to
be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being
understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and
described and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope
of the invention are desired to be protected.
-
There are a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from
the various features of the checkout system described herein. It will be noted
that alternative embodiments of the checkout system of the present invention
may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some
of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may
readily devise their own implementations of a checkout system that
incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within
the scope of the present invention.