SMART RFID CHECKOUT KIOSK

• US 20080211671A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Freedom Shopping, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dagosi LLC
• Inventors: Daily, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US12/013,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20080211671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-checkout kiosk that utilizes RFID tags and a distance and direction RFID reader to detect sales merchandise. The kiosk includes POS software, which automatically detects items selected by a patron that have previously been received into inventory and tagged, which facilitates the completion of the sale by detecting the distance and direction of the RFID tag. The kiosk incorporates a communication system and means for the patron to communicate with a store employee located distant from the kiosk. The POS software utilizes multiple payment methods and has the capability to display advertisements based on product being detected.

Claims

1. A self-checkout kiosk system, comprising:

a main housing having a first acrylic panel;

a first RF antenna positioned adjacent to the first acrylic panel to transmit a TX signal toward an RFID tag;

a second RF antenna positioned adjacent to the first acrylic panel to receive a RX signal from the RFID tag;

a first RFID reader, positioned in the main housing, to determine a distance to the RFID tag using the RX signal;

a remote housing having a second acrylic panel;

a third RF antenna positioned adjacent to the second acrylic panel to transmit a TX signal toward the RFID tag;

a fourth RF antenna positioned adjacent to the second acrylic panel to receive a RX signal from the RFID tag; and

a second RFID reader, positioned in the remote housing, to receive the RX signal from the RFID tag and to determine whether the RFID tag has traveled beyond a certain distance in a certain direction away from the second RFID reader and if so, to transmit a security signal to sound an alarm and to receive a description of an item with the RFID tag.

2. The self-checkout kiosk system of claim 1, further comprising POS software to calculate distance and relative direction of the RFID tag.

3. The self-checkout kiosk system of claim 1, further comprising a call device positioned with the main housing to communicate with a remote call device positioned away from the main housing.

4. The self-checkout kiosk system of claim 1, further comprising a security camera to record a patron upon receipt of the security signal.

5. The self-checkout kiosk system of claim 1, further comprising POS software to determine whether the item has been paid for.

6. A self-checkout apparatus for detecting an RFID tag on an item, comprising:

a housing having an acrylic panel;

a memory module positioned in the housing for storing POS software;

a processor for executing the POS software;

an antenna positioned in the housing for transmitting a TX signal through the acrylic panel of the housing to an RFID tag and for receiving a RX signal from the RFID tag;

an RFID reader, positioned in the housing and controlled by the POS software, for determining an item number for the RFID tag using the RX signal;

a security module positioned in a different location than the housing, the security module having an acrylic panel;

an antenna positioned in the security module for transmitting a TX signal through the acrylic panel of the security module to the RFID tag and for receiving a RX signal from the RFID tag; and

a distance and direction RFID reader positioned in the security module to receive the RX signal from the RFID tag and determine a distance and a direction of movement of the RFID tag.

7. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 6, wherein the distance and direction RFID reader is controlled by the processor.

8. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 6, wherein the distance and direction RFID reader determines whether the distance is greater than a predetermined value and the direction of movement is in a predetermined direction, and if so, transmit a security signal and a description of an item with the RFID tag to the processor.

9. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 8, wherein the predetermined value is about 3 feet and the predetermined direction is outside the store.

10. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a security gate that is activated upon receipt of the security signal.

11. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a security camera to record a patron upon receipt of the security signal.

12. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a call device positioned with the housing to communicate with a remote call device positioned away from the housing.

13. The self-checkout apparatus of claim 6, wherein the POS software determines whether the item has been paid for.

14. A method for detecting whether an item has been paid for or stolen using an RFID tag, comprising:

transmitting a first signal to an RFID tag;

receiving a second signal from the RFID tag;

determining a distance and a direction of movement of the RFID tag using the second signal;

determining whether the distance is greater than a predetermined value;

determining whether the direction of movement is in a predetermined direction; and

transmitting an alarm signal when the distance is greater than the predetermined value and the direction of movement is in the predetermined direction.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining a description of the item when the alarm signal is received.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined value is about 3 feet and the predetermined direction is outside the store.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising activating a security gate upon receipt of the alarm signal.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising activating a security camera upon receipt of the alarm signal.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising initiating a call from a call device to a remote call device.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the item has been paid for.