MULTI-ITEM SCANNING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ITEMS FOR PURCHASE IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

• US 20090090583A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunrise R&D Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kroger Company
• Inventors: McCULLEN, WILLIAM RODNEY, BONNER, BRETT BRACEWELL, HJELM, CHRISTOPHER TODD
• Granted Patent: US 9,412,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 186/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A system and method for scanning items for purchase in a retail environment is provided that has the ability to scan multiple items within its scan field of view simultaneously or nearly simultaneously in a multi-scanning type of configuration. In addition to the simultaneous scanning, the identity of each scanned item is discovered and then added to a running tally of items to be later purchased in a point of sale terminal.

Claims

2. ) The system of claim 1 further comprising

c) A memory device that records the identity of each said item for purchase scanned within said field of view.

17-1. ) The method of claim 16 whereby said multiple items conveyed on said conveyor may be conveyed in multiple configurations.

24. ) The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of

e) Recording the identity of each said item scanned within said field of view with a memory device.

1. ) A system for simultaneously scanning multiple items for purchase in a retail establishment, comprising:

a) A conveying device on which said items are conveyed; and

b) A multi-item scanning device positioned onto said conveying device, said multi-item scanning device having multiple imaging devices attached to said multi-item scanning device for scanning said multiple items for purchase, said multiple imaging devices creating a field of view whereby said multi-item scanning device scans at least two said multiple items for purchase substantially simultaneously within said field of view.

3. ) The system of claim 2 further comprising

d) Software that controls said memory device, said software cataloging and organizing each said identity of each said item scanned within said field of view.

4. ) The system of claim 3 wherein said software distinguishes between one scanned said item for purchase and another scanned said item for purchase.

5. ) The system of claim 1 wherein each said multiple items for purchase comprises readable media.

6. ) The system of claim 5 whereby said multi-item scanning device scans said readable media on said multi-items for purchase.

7. ) The system of claim 1 wherein said multi-item scanning device further comprises a housing having an external surface and an internal surface positioned oppositely to said external surface.

8. ) The system of claim 7 wherein said multiple imaging devices are positioned within said internal surface of said housing.

9. ) The system of claim 8 wherein said multiple imaging devices are attached to said internal surface of said housing in multiple orientations, said multiple orientations creating a 360°

field of view within said housing of said multi-item scanning device.

10. ) The system of claim 3 whereby said software further operates to identify multiple items simultaneously scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

11. ) The system of claim 10 whereby said software further operates to distinguish multiple items simultaneously scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

12. ) The system of claim 3 whereby said software further operates to store each said scanned item into a memory device.

13. ) The system of claim 5 wherein between about 50% and about 69% of said readable media on each said item conveyed to said point-of-sale station is read.

14. ) The system of claim 13 wherein substantially all unscanned said readable media on one or more said items is identified by said system as being unscanned.

15. ) The system of claim 5 wherein between about 70% and about 99% of said readable media on each said item for purchase is scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

16. ) The system of claim 15 wherein substantially all unscanned said readable media on one or more said items for purchase is identified as being unscanned.

17. ) A method of simultaneously scanning multiple items for purchase in a retail establishment, comprising:

a) Providing a conveying device having a conveyor;

b) Providing a multi-item scanning device attached to said conveying device whereby said multi-item scanning device is attached to said conveying device at a point downstream of said conveyor, a field of view being positioned within said multi-item scanning device for scanning said multiple items for purchase;

c) Conveying two or more items on said conveyor starting from a point upstream on said conveyor to a point downstream on said conveyor to said multi-item scanning device; and

d) Scanning said two or more items substantially simultaneously in said multi-item scanning device, said scanning occurring within a field of view positioned within said multi-item scanning device.

18. ) The method of claim 16 wherein each said multiple items for purchase comprises readable media.

19. ) The method of claim 18 whereby said multi-item scanning device scans said readable media on said multi-items for purchase.

20. ) The method of claim 16 wherein said multi-item scanning device further comprises a housing having an external surface and an internal surface positioned oppositely to said external surface.

21. ) The method of claim 20 wherein at least two multiple imaging devices are positioned within said internal surface of said housing.

22. ) The method of claim 21 wherein said multiple imaging devices are attached to said internal surface of said housing in multiple orientations.

23. ) The method of claim 22 wherein said multiple orientations of said multiple imaging devices creates a 360°

field of view within said housing.

25. ) The method of claim 24 wherein said memory device comprises software, said software operating to catalogue and organize each said identity of each said item scanned within said field of view.

26. ) The method of claim 25 whereby said software further operates to identify multiple items simultaneously scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

27. ) The method of claim 26 whereby said software further operates to distinguish multiple items simultaneously scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

28. ) The method of claim 18 wherein between about 50% and about 69% of said readable media on each said item conveyed to said point-of-sale station is read.

29. ) The method of claim 28 wherein substantially all unscanned said readable media on one or more said items is identified by said system as being unscanned.

30. ) The method of claim 18 wherein between about 70% and about 99% of said readable media on each said item for purchase is scanned by said multi-item scanning device.

31. ) The method of claim 30 wherein substantially all unscanned said readable media on one or more said items for purchase is identified as being unscanned.

24-2. ) A method for scanning mis-scanned readable media on an item for purchase, comprising:

a) Conveying multiple items to a point-of-sale station;

b) Scanning said multiple items with a multi-scanning device;

c) Mis-scanning at least one item for purchase;

d) Identifying said at least one mis-scanned item conveyed to said point-of-sale station;

e) Alerting an operator to said at least one mis-scanned items; and

f) Re-scanning said at least one mis-scanned items.

25-3. ) The method of claim 24 wherein each said unscanned item is photographed by a photographic device.

26-4. ) The method of claim 25 wherein a photo is produced from each said photographed unscanned item.

27-5. ) The method of claim 26 wherein an operator views each said photo produced for each said mis-scanned item.

28-6. ) The method of claim 27 wherein said operator re-scans each said unscanned item based upon each said photo produced to identify each said mis-scanned item.