IE990465A1

IE990465A1 - Check-Out Apparatus

Info

Publication number: IE990465A1
Application number: IE990465A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Jeremy George Lindley
Original assignee: Tesco Stores Ltd
Priority date: 1998-06-05
Filing date: 1999-06-04
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Also published as: WO1999065000A1; GB9812229D0; AU4277599A

Abstract

Self-service check-out apparatus for use by a customer at a store includes in an upright cabinet (12), a bar code scanning device (16) for scanning bar codes on goods to be purchased, a touch-sensitive display monitor (18) for displaying to the customer information concerning the scanned goods, a card-reading payment device (20) for receiving payment from the customer, and a bag dispensing station (22) for dispensing carrier bags into which the customer may place the scanned goods. A shelf (28) is provided to support the shopper's basket with a space (34) for empty baskets (32) beneath it. The arrangement is easy for the shopper to use and is highly compact. <Figure 1>

Description

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided self service check-out apparatus for use by a customer at a store, the apparatus comprising scanning means for scanning codes on goods to be purchased, display means for displaying to the customer information concerning the scanned goods, payment receiving means for receiving payment from the customer, and bag dispensing means for dispensing carrier bags into which the customer may place the scanned goods; the scanning means, the display means, the payment receiving means, and the bag dispensing means being arranged as a unit.

In a preferred arrangement, the scanning means, display means, payment receiving means and bag dispensing means are all located integrally in an upright cabinet. The scanning means may comprise bar code scanning means for scanning bar codes printed on goods to be purchased. Preferably the display means comprises a display monitor for displaying information such as may identify the product scanned and its price, and/or for identifying the various stages in the payment transaction.

The apparatus may have interface means permitting the customer to interact with the apparatus. The interface means may comprise a touch-sensitive screen on the display monitor.

The payment receiving means may comprise an electronic card, magnetic card or smart card reader apparatus, for allowing the customer to make payment for purchased goods using e.g. a credit, debit, pre-payment or charge card. There may also be provided means for dispensing a printed receipt.

The apparatus may include automated cash dispensing means for enabling a customer to obtain cash in addition to the purchased goods . - 3 Preferably the apparatus comprises a first shelf for supporting a shopping basket in use. The apparatus may comprise a second shelf located beneath and/or adjacent the bag dispensing means for supporting a bag as scanned goods are placed in the bag.

In a preferred arrangement the scanning means, the payment receiving means and the display means are located on a substantially upright surface of the cabinet.

Preferably the scanning means, the payment receiving means and the display means are all located above one another on the same substantially upright surface, such that the display means is disposed approximately at eye level, for an average standing customer, and the payment receiving means and the scanning means are disposed beneath the display means .

The cabinet may comprise a first recess for storing empty shopping baskets. The first shelf may be located in the first recess.

The bag dispensing means may be disposed beneath and/or to one side of the scanning means. Preferably the bag dispensing means is located in a second recess. The second recess may be formed in the substantially upright surface.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of adjacent cabinets arranged side-by-side for several customers to operate simultaneously.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways but an embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, self-service check-out apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1; - 4 IE990465 Figure 3 shows from one side, the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view from the other side of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the figures, there is shown generally a floor-standing fixed self-service check-out apparatus 10 comprising an upright rigid cabinet 12 constructed of wood, metal and plastics materials. The cabinet 12 has on an upright front facing surface 14 thereof a bar code scanning device 16 for scanning bar codes printed on goods to be purchased, a touch sensitive display monitor 18 for displaying to the customer information concerning the scanned goods and for receiving customer inputs, a card reading payment device 20 for receiving payment cards and including a printed receipt dispenser, and a bag dispensing station 22 for containing and dispensing plastic carrier bags supported conventionally at their tops by a rack arrangement (not shown) in a recess 23 of the cabinet. A shelf 24 is located directly below the bag dispensing station, and protrudes slightly from the front facing surface 14.

The cabinet 12 also has another recess 26 to the side of the surface 14 in which is located a sloping shelf 28 with a steel integral retaining bar 30 for retaining a shopping basket 32 positioned on the shelf 28. A light 36 may illuminate the contents of the basket on the shelf. Beneath the shelf 28 is a storage space 34 for storing further empty baskets 32. If desired, the apparatus can be provided with a vertical left-hand side panel.

In use, a customer places a basket 32 containing selected goods (not shown) to be purchased on the shelf 28. She or he then scans each of the items in the basket in turn, by passing their bar codes over the scanner 16, and - 5 places the scanned items in a bag held by the bag dispensing station 22. The bag remains suspended whilst being filled, and the shelf 24 below supports the weight of the goods in the bag. The display monitor displays information such as may identify the produce scanned and its price. Once all of the goods have been scanned, the customer makes payment by placing their credit, debit or charge card (which may be a magnetic stripe card or a smart card) in the card reader 20 and by entering payment related information, and making appropriate decisions, by interaction with the touch screen of the display monitor 18. During this operation the display monitor displays information identifying the various stages in the payment transaction.

Once payment has been made the card is returned to the customer and a receipt is printed and issued by the receipt printer. The customer then places their empty basket in the space 34 provided, and carries away the bag containing the purchased goods .

No intervention from store operatives is needed, although if the customer requires the attendance of an operative, for whatever reason, she or he is able to summon one by interacting with the touch screen of the monitor 18, or else by activating alternative alarm means (not shown).

The self-service nature of the apparatus permits a customer wishing to purchase only a relatively few items in a hurry to do so without queueing at a conventional check-out. Being arranged as a unit, the customer can see and touch the display monitor, use the card reader and the scanner, and access the bag dispenser, as well as retrieving purchases from the basket, while standing at the same position. The display monitor is at eye level for an average customer, and the card reading payment device and the bar code scanning device are beneath the monitor.

Furthermore, the physical arrangement of the apparatus with the scanning device, display monitor, payment device, and bag dispensing station all located integrally in a vertical layout in an upright cabinet is very compact and - 6 takes up very little space in the store, and is thus ideally suited to smaller stores in which floor space is at a premium.

To provide an increased level of service, several units may be placed side-by-side so that they can be used simultaneously by several customers. In this arrangement the right-hand side of one unit forms a left-hand panel for an adjacent unit.

Various modifications may be apparent to the skilled reader which do not depart from the scope of the invention. For example an alternative form of customer interface than that described, such as a key-pad, may be provided on the apparatus. Also alternative payment-receiving apparatus may be provided. If a cash dispensing unit is included, a customer may use their card to obtain cash in addition to their purchased goods. In another modification, the bag dispenser may be disposed to the. side of the scanning device, instead of beneath it.

Claims

1. Self service check-out apparatus for use by a customer at a store, the apparatus comprising scanning means (16) for scanning codes on goods to be purchased, display means (18) for displaying to the customer information concerning the scanned goods, payment receiving means (20) for receiving payment from the customer, and bag dispensing means (22) for dispensing carrier bags into which the customer may place the scanned goods; the scanning means, the display means, the payment receiving means, and the bag dispensing means being arranged as a unit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the scanning means (16), display means (18), payment receiving means (20) and bag dispensing means (22) are all located integrally in an upright cabinet (12).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the scanning means comprises bar code scanning means (16) for scanning bar codes printed on goods to be purchased.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the display means comprises a display monitor (18) for displaying information such as may identify the product scanned and its price, and/or for identifying the various stages in the payment transaction.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising interface means (18) permitting the customer to interact with the apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which interface means comprises a touch-sensitive screen (18) on the display means . - 8

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the payment receiving means comprises a magnetic card or smart card reader apparatus (20), for allowing the customer to make payment for purchased goods.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for dispensing a printed receipt.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising automated cash dispensing means for enabling a customer to obtain cash in addition to the purchased goods.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shelf (28) for supporting a shopping basket in use.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shelf (24) located beneath and/or adjacent the bag dispensing means (22) for supporting a bag as scanned goods are placed in the bag.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the scanning means (16), the payment receiving means (20), and the display means (18) are located on a substantially upright surface (14) of a cabinet.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the scanning means (16), the payment receiving means (20) and the display means (18) are all located above one another on the same substantially upright surface, such that the display means is disposed approximately at eye level, for an average standing customer, and the payment receiving means and the scanning means are disposed beneath the display means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the cabinet comprises a first recess (26,34) for storing empty shopping baskets . - 9

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, including a shelf (28) located in the first recess.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the bag dispensing means (22) is disposed beneath and/or to one side 5 of the scanning means (16).

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the bag dispensing means (22) is located in a second recess (23).

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the second recess (23) is formed in a substantially upright surface io (14) .

19. Self-service check-out apparatus comprising a plurality of adjacent (12) for several customers to operate simultaneously, each cabinet including apparatus in accordance with claim 1.