Method and system for performing security on multiple unresolved objects in a self checkout

• US 20060180663A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Frontech North America Incorporated (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Williamson, Leslie, Morris, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,341,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4144 for controlling weight of goods in commercial establishments, e.g. supermarket, P.O.S. systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0054 with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/006 False operation

Abstract

A self-checkout system is provided whereby a set of objects can be recognized and security for the set of objects and a partial set of objects can be resolved (“Collection Resolution”) during a self checkout. In order for security to be resolved on an object, a partial set of objects or set of objects the weight detected on a security scale must be equal to the weight of the object, a partial expected weight of any combination of objects in the set, or a combined expected weight of the set of objects. If security is not resolved, the system will prevent an additional object from being recognized by the system until the security for the object is resolved.

Claims

1. A method for performing security on multiple unresolved objects in a self checkout comprising:

(a) recognizing a set of objects;

(b) identifying a set of expected weights for each object in the set of objects;

(c) determining whether security has been resolved for the set of objects within a given tolerance;

(d) if so, allowing the additional recognition of an object;

(e) otherwise, determining whether security has been resolved for a partial set of objects in the set of object

(f) if not, signaling a security violation; and

(g) otherwise, repeat steps (c) through (g).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes scanning the set of objects with a scanner.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes receiving identification information for each object in the set of objects.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes determining that the set of objects is a new object.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes resolving security for the new object prior to the recognizing an additional object and storing a weight value for the new object.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes determining that an object is a new object prior to including the new object in the set.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein recognizing the set of objects further includes resolving security for each object in the set of objects prior to including the new object in the set and receiving a weight value for the object and storage the weight value in association with the new object.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether security for the set of objects is resolved includes determining that a security scale has increase by a combination of expected weight values for each object in the set of objects.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether security for a partial set of the object in the set of objects is resolved includes determining that a security scale has increased by a partial sum of the combination of expected weight values for each object in the set of objects.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein signaling a security violation includes prompting a cashier to verify each object in the set of objects.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising disabling the ability to recognize an additional object when a security violation is signaled.