Method for displaying the status of a self-service checkout terminal

• US 6,354,498 B1
• Filed: 12/24/1997
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Lutz, Dusty L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US08/998,210
• Time in Patent Office: 1,539 Days
• Field of Search: 186/59, 186/52, 235/383, 235/385, 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/385
• 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 method of operating a self-service checkout terminal includes the step of detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal. The method further includes the step of updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold. The method also includes the step of operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation. The method yet further includes the step of generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, with the self-service checkout terminal having (i) a status light device which includes a number of indicator lamps, and (ii) a display monitor which is distinct from the status light device, comprising the steps of:

operating the display monitor to display instructions which serve to guide a customer through a checkout procedure with the self-service checkout terminal;

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating the status light device so as to activate at least one of the number of indicator lamps in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold; and

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the status light device intermittently displays a first colored light on the at least one of the number of indicator lamps when the status light device is operated in the first mode of operation, and

the status light device continuously displays the first colored light on the at least one of the number of indicator lamps when the status light device is operated in the second mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal; and

operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining if a predetermined period of time has lapsed since generation of the end-of-itemization control signal and generating an excessive-time control signal in response thereto; and

operating the status device in a fourth mode of operation in response to the excessive time control signal, wherein the fourth mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation, and the third mode of operation.

5. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold;

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation;

generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal; and

operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation,

wherein the status device includes a status light device,

wherein the status light device displays a first colored light when the status light device is operated in either the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation,

wherein the status light device displays a second colored light when the status light device is operated in the third mode of operation, and

wherein the first colored light is different from the second colored light.

6. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold;

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation;

generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal;

operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation;

determining if a predetermined period of time has lapsed since generation of the end-of-itemization control signal and generating an excessive-time control signal in response thereto; and

operating the status device in a fourth mode of operation in response to the excessive time control signal, wherein the fourth mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation, the second mode of operation, and the third mode of operation,

wherein the status device includes a status light device,

wherein the status light device displays a first colored light when the status light device is operated in either the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation,

wherein the status light device continuously displays a second colored light when the status light device is operated in the third mode of operation,

wherein the status light device intermittently displays the second colored light when the status light device is operated in the fourth mode of operation, and

wherein the first colored light is different from the second colored light.

7. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, with the self-service checkout terminal having (i) a status light device which includes a number of indicator lamps, and (ii) a display monitor which is distinct from the status light device, comprising the steps of:

operating the display monitor to display instructions which serve to guide a customer through a checkout procedure with the self-service checkout terminal;

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating the status light device so as to activate at least one of the number of indicator lamps in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

detecting if a user enters an age restricted item into the checkout terminal and generating an age restricted-item control signal in response thereto; and

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the age restricted-item control signal,

wherein the age restricted item is regulated by a statute which requires a customer to meet a certain age criteria in order to purchase the age restricted item.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the status device includes a status light device, and

the status light device continuously displays a colored light when the status light device is operated in the second mode of operation.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the age restricted item is a member of the following group:

an alcoholic beverage product and a tobacco product.

10. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal; and

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal,

wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting the improper-terminal-use activity with a video camera, and

wherein the status device is mounted on the video camera, whereby a user'"'"'s attention is drawn to the video camera when the status device is operated in the first mode of operation.

11. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold;

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation;

generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal;

operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation;

detecting if a user enters an age restricted item into the checkout terminal and generating an age restricted-item control signal in response thereto; and

operating the status device in the second mode of operation in response to generation of the age restricted-item control signal,

wherein the age restricted item is regulated by a statute which requires a customer to meet a certain age criteria in order to purchase the age restricted item.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the status device includes a status light device, and

the status light device continuously displays a colored light when the status light device is operated in the second mode of operation.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the age restricted item is a member of the following group:

an alcoholic beverage product and a tobacco product.

14. A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting an improper-terminal-use activity and generating an improper-use control signal in response thereto;

operating a status device in a first mode of operation in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

updating an electronic log value in response to generation of the improper-use control signal;

generating a first intervention signal if the log value has a predetermined relationship to a log threshold;

operating the status device in a second mode of operation in response to generation of the first intervention control signal, wherein the first mode of operation is different from the second mode of operation;

generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user'"'"'s indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal;

operating the status device in a third mode of operation if (1) the end-of-itemization signal has been generated, and (2) the status device was operating in the second mode of operation when the end-of-itemization control signal is generated, wherein the third mode of operation is different from each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation;

detecting if a user enters a restricted item into the checkout terminal and generating a restricted-item control signal in response thereto; and

operating the status device in the second mode of operation in response to generation of the restricted-item control signal,

wherein the status device includes a status light device,

wherein the status light device continuously displays a colored light when the status light device is operated in the second mode of operation,

wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting the improper-terminal-use activity with a video camera, and

wherein the status device is mounted on the video camera, whereby a user'"'"'s attention is drawn to the video camera when the status device is operated in the first mode of operation.