Apparatus and method for operating a checkout system having an item set-aside shelf which is movable between a number of shelf positions

• US 6,409,081 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Nugent, Paul F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): TREMBLAY, MARK STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/432,635
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/383, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/047 for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant

Abstract

A method of operating a checkout terminal having a movable item shelf includes the step of positioning the item shelf in an assisted shelf position. The method also includes the step of operating the checkout terminal so as to perform an assisted retail function while the item shelf is positioned in the assisted shelf position. The method further includes the step of moving the item shelf from the assisted shelf position to a self-service shelf position. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating the checkout terminal so as to perform a self-service retail function while the item shelf is positioned in the self-service shelf position. A checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of operating a checkout terminal having a movable item shelf, comprising the steps of:

positioning said item shelf in an assisted shelf position;

operating said checkout terminal so as to perform an assisted retail function while said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position;

moving said item shelf from said assisted shelf position to a self-service shelf position; and

operating said checkout terminal so as to perform a self-service retail function while said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position,

wherein said checkout terminal further has (i) an assisted bagwell having a first overhead access opening for advancing a first item into a first container positioned in said assisted bagwell, and (ii) a self-service bagwell having a second overhead access opening for advancing a second item into a second container positioned in said self-service bagwell,

wherein said step of positioning said item shelf in said assisted shelf position includes the step of positioning said item shelf so as to (i) expose said first overhead access opening of said assisted bagwell, and (ii) cover said second overhead access opening of said self-service bagwell, and

wherein said step of positioning said item shelf in said self-service shelf position includes the step of positioning said item shelf so as to (i) expose said second overhead access opening of said self-service bagwell, and (ii) cover said first overhead access opening of said assisted bagwell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said assisted retail function includes the step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said assisted retail function in which retail personnel positions a first item on said item shelf while said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position, and

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said self-service retail function includes the step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said self-service retail function in which a customer positions a second item on said item shelf while said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said checkout terminal further includes a weight scale operatively coupled to said item shelf,

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said assisted retail function in which said retail personnel positions said first item on said item shelf while said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position includes the step of determining a first weight value associated with said first item, and

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said self-service retail function in which said customer positions said second item on said item shelf while said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position includes the step of determining a second weight value associated with said second item.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said checkout terminal further includes a scanner,

said item shelf is positioned downstream of said scanner,

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said assisted retail function in which retail personnel positions said first item on said item shelf includes the step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said assisted retail function in which said retail personnel (i) scans said first item with said scanner, and (ii) positions said first item on said item shelf subsequent to scanning thereof, and

said step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said self-service retail function in which said customer positions said second item on said item shelf includes the step of operating said checkout terminal so as to perform said self-service retail function in which said customer (i) scans said second item with said scanner, and (ii) positions said second item on said item shelf subsequent to scanning thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said checkout terminal further has a terminal base,

said item shelf is pivotally coupled to said terminal base, and

said step of moving said item shelf from said assisted shelf position to said self-service shelf position includes the step of pivoting said item shelf from said assisted shelf position to said self-service shelf position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said checkout terminal further has a terminal base,

said item shelf is slidably secured to said terminal base, and

said step of moving said item shelf from said assisted shelf position to said self-service shelf position includes the step of sliding said item shelf from said assisted shelf position to said self-service shelf position.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said checkout terminal further includes a terminal base,

said terminal base has a customer side and a personnel side which is opposite said customer side,

said item shelf is interposed between said customer side of said terminal base and said personnel side of said terminal base,

said step of positioning said item shelf in said assisted shelf position includes the step of positioning said item shelf so as to be accessible by retail personnel located on said personnel side of said terminal base, and

said step of positioning said item shelf in said self-service shelf position includes the step of positioning said item shelf so as to be accessible by a customer located on said customer side of said terminal base.

8. A checkout terminal, comprising:

a terminal base; and

an item shelf movably secured to said terminal base, wherein said item shelf is configured to be moved relative to said terminal base so as to be positionable between an assisted shelf position and a self-service shelf position,

further comprising (i) an assisted bagwell having a first overhead access opening for allowing advancement of a first item into a first container positioned in said assisted bagwell, and (ii) a self-service bagwell having a second overhead access opening for allowing advancement of a second item into a second container positioned in said self-service bagwell,

wherein said item shelf is configured to (i) expose said first overhead access opening of said assisted bagwell, and (ii) cover said second overhead access opening of said self-service bagwell when said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position, and

wherein said item shelf is further configured to (i) expose said second overhead access opening of said self-service bagwell, and (ii) cover said first overhead access opening of said assisted bagwell when said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position.

9. The checkout terminal of claim 8, further comprising a scanner, wherein:

said scanner is configured to perform an assisted retail function when said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position, and

said scanner is configured to perform a self-service retail function when said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position.

10. The checkout terminal of claim 9, wherein said scanner is secured to said terminal base at a location which is upstream of said item shelf.

11. The checkout terminal of claim 8, further comprising a weight scale operatively coupled to said item shelf, wherein:

said weight scale is configured to determine a first weight value associated with a first item when said first item is positioned on said item shelf by retail personnel while said item shelf is positioned in said assisted shelf position, and

said weight scale is further configured to determine a second weight value associated with a second item when said second item is positioned on said item shelf by a customer while said item shelf is positioned in said self-service shelf position.

12. The checkout terminal of claim 8, wherein said item shelf is pivotally coupled to said terminal base.

13. The checkout terminal of claim 8, wherein said item shelf is slidably secured to said terminal base.

14. The checkout terminal of claim 8, wherein:

said terminal base has a customer side and a personnel side which is opposite said customer side, and

said item shelf is interposed between said customer side of said terminal base and said personnel side of said terminal base.

15. A checkout terminal, comprising:

a cabinet having (i) a first bagwell which defines a first access opening through which items may be advanced, and (ii) a second bagwell which defines a second access opening through which items may be advanced; and

an item shelf supported by said cabinet, said item shelf being movable between a first position and a second position,

wherein, when said item shelf is positioned in said first position, (i) said item shelf covers said first access opening whereby advancement of items into said first bagwell through said first access opening is inhibited, and (ii) said item shelf is spaced apart from said second access opening whereby advancement of items into said bagwell through said second access opening is facilitated, and

wherein, when said item shelf is positioned in said second position, (i) said item shelf is spaced apart from said first access opening whereby advancement of items into said first bagwell through said first access opening is facilitated, and (ii) said item shelf covers said second access opening whereby advancement of items into said second bagwell through said second access opening is inhibited.

16. The checkout terminal of claim 15, wherein said item shelf is pivotable between said first position and said second position.

17. The checkout terminal of claim 15, wherein said item shelf is slidable between said first position and said second position.