SELF SERVICE RETAIL CHECK OUT USING SMART PHONE

• US 20130153655A1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Dawkins, Barbara W.
• Application Number:
  US13/326,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20130153655A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• 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 method of operating a retail check-out station. A customer selects items to be purchased, and scans bar codes attached to the items, using a cell phone camera. The bar codes identify the items. The cell phone extracts data from multiple bar codes and assembles the data into a different type of code, such as a 2-D bar code. The cell phone prints out the 2-D bar code, either on paper or on its display. The check-out station scans the 2-D bar code to obtain the identities of the items, and completes the transaction.

Claims

1. A method of performing a sales transaction with a customer at a check-out station in a retail store, comprising:

receiving, prior to check-out, an indication of one or more items the customer plans to purchase, wherein the indication comprises a customer identifier;

receiving, from the customer at the check-out station, a graphical image comprising an indication of the customer identifier;

optically scanning said graphical image to thereby deduce the customer identifier;

retrieving item information related to the one or more items using the customer identifier; and

using the item information to formulate a bill and complete the sales transaction for the items.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the graphical image was generated by a portable telephone in possession of the customer, which

i) scanned linear bar codes on said items, and

ii) derived information from the linear bar codes, and

iii) transmitted the information from the linear bar codes.

3. Method according to claim 1, in which the check-out station does not scan items which are identified in the item information.

4. Method according to claim 2, in which the check-out station does not scan items which are identified in the item information.

5. Method according to claim 1, in which the graphical image comprises a 2-D bar code.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer identifier comprises an identifier selected from the group consisting of a loyalty card number, a phone number, a credit card number, and a driver'"'"'s license number.

6. A method of performing a sales transaction with a customer at a check-out station in a retail store, comprising:

receiving, prior to check-out, an indication of one or more items the customer plans to purchase, wherein the indication comprises a customer identifier;

receiving, at the check-out station, a 2-D bar code which

comprises an indication of the customer identifier;

was generated by a cell phone of the customer which

scanned linear bar codes on said items, and

transmitted item information from the linear bar codes;

optically scanning the 2-D bar code to identify the customer identifier; and

retrieving item information related to the one or more items using the customer identifier to formulate a bill for the items, without scanning bar codes on the items.

7. Method according to claim 6, in which the check-out station does not scan items which are identified in the item information.

8. Method according to claim 6, in which the 2-D bar code is displayed by the cell phone, and the check-out station scans the displayed bar code.

9. Method according to claim 6, in which the check-out station receives the 2-D bar code by optically scanning the 2-D bar code.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the customer identifier comprises an identifier selected from the group consisting of a loyalty card number, a phone number, a credit card number, and a driver'"'"'s license number.

10. A method of performing a sales transaction with a customer at a check-out station in a retail store, comprising:

receiving, prior to check-out, an indication of one or more items the customer plans to purchase, wherein the indication comprises a customer identifier

receiving the customer at a check-out station;

optically scanning, at the check-out station, a 2-D bar code which

is presented by a portable device in possession of the customer,

comprises an indication of the customer identifier;

was generated by the portable device which previously

scanned linear bar codes on said items, and

transmitted item information from the linear bar codes; and

retrieving item information related to the one or more items using the customer identifier to formulate a bill for the items, without scanning bar codes on the items.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the customer identifier comprises an identifier selected from the group consisting of a loyalty card number, a phone number, a credit card number, and a driver'"'"'s license number.