Terminal locking system
First Claim
1. A system for distributing one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for self service shopping, said system comprising:
- a) a customer identification controller for identifying a customer authorized to use the self-shopping system;
b) a terminal including communication means for receiving an authorization for removal, a rack removal detector, and an alarm mechanism for activating an alarm upon unauthorized removal;
c) a terminal receiving rack having terminal receiving positions arranged to engage said terminal; and
d) a terminal dispensing controller for generating and communicating the authorization for removal command to the terminal, whereby the terminal is released to the authorized customer without activating the alarm mechanism.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless system for self-service shopping is described that includes a customer identification device with an optically readable code, a portable terminal that includes an optical code reader, a local area radio, a terminal controller, and a locking mechanism, a master station, consisting of a master controller and a master radio, and a receiving rack for the portable terminals to which the scanners may be locked using the locking mechanism. A customer presents his or her identification device to a terminal which reads the code, the code is transferred by radio to the master controller which checks the identification and, if valid, sends an authorized signal by radio to the terminal to unlock the scanner. In addition, several locking mechanisms are described that are controlled by the terminal controller. An additional feature provides a shopping cart with a receiving cradle for a portable terminal that allows the customer to lock the scanner onto the cart for hands-free shopping.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for distributing one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for self service shopping, said system comprising:
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a) a customer identification controller for identifying a customer authorized to use the self-shopping system;
b) a terminal including communication means for receiving an authorization for removal, a rack removal detector, and an alarm mechanism for activating an alarm upon unauthorized removal;
c) a terminal receiving rack having terminal receiving positions arranged to engage said terminal; and
d) a terminal dispensing controller for generating and communicating the authorization for removal command to the terminal, whereby the terminal is released to the authorized customer without activating the alarm mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for distributing one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for self-service transaction, said system including:
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a) a terminal for authorized use during a self-service transaction;
b) a local access point for monitoring presence of said terminal within a designated area; and
c) an indicator for indicating the unauthorized possession of said terminal when said terminal is removed outside of the designated area. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for distributing one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for a self-service transaction, said method including the steps of:
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a) removing said terminal from a terminal storage rack by a customer;
b) sensing removal of said terminal from said terminal storage rack;
c) determining if the removal was unauthorized; and
d) sounding an alarm if said removal was determined to be unauthorized.
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14. A method for detecting unauthorized use of a terminal during a self-service transaction, said method including the steps of:
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a) removing said terminal from a terminal storage rack by a customer;
b) monitoring location of said removed terminal during a self-service transaction using a local area communication network;
c) determining if said removed terminal is located within a designated area; and
d) sounding an alarm when said removed terminal is determined to be located outside the designated area.
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Specification