Statistical sampling security methodology for self-scanning checkout system
First Claim
1. A method for auditing a self-checkout system wherein a customer selects a plurality of items for purchase, registers the plurality of items with a portable terminal and deposits the plurality of items in a container, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. transmitting product identification data from the portable terminal to a host computer;
b. accessing a database by said host computer, said database containing security criteria data;
c. determining the types of items to check in the container based at least partly on said security criteria data;
d. generating a security list comprised of said types of items to audit in response to step (c); and
e. comparing the items in the container with said security list generated in step (d).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A statistical basis for use in a self-scanning checkout system determines how many items to check in a shopper'"'"'s shopping cart for incorrect or missing scans as well as which particular or types of items to check to determine if they were properly scanned, if the shopper is determined to be audited. The present invention does not audit every customer, but rather determines whether a given shopper or customer is to be audited on a given shopping trip based upon obtaining a minimum checkout loss for such customer. The methodology determines how many items to check for a given shopper as well as which particular items to check for that shopper. The following factors attempt to model the real world of shopping and may be considered, alone or in varying combinations, in determining the number of items to check for a particular shopping transaction: shopper frequency; queue length; prior audit history; store location; time of day, day of week, date of year; number of times items are returned to shelf during shopping; dwell time between scans; customer loyalty; store shopping activity and other factors. Using statistical decision theory for auditing policies a minimum loss per shopper transaction improves the security and reduces the labor of self-check out without being too intrusive to customers.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for auditing a self-checkout system wherein a customer selects a plurality of items for purchase, registers the plurality of items with a portable terminal and deposits the plurality of items in a container, said method comprising the steps of:
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a. transmitting product identification data from the portable terminal to a host computer;
b. accessing a database by said host computer, said database containing security criteria data;
c. determining the types of items to check in the container based at least partly on said security criteria data;
d. generating a security list comprised of said types of items to audit in response to step (c); and
e. comparing the items in the container with said security list generated in step (d). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. The method of 3 further comprising the step of adding to said tally list any item present in the container but omitted from said tally list.
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16. A shopping system for self-service checkout by customers that includes a security check to determine if customers have failed to correctly register an item deposited in a container, said shopping system comprising:
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a. a plurality of portable self-checkout devices, each of said self-checkout devices to be used by a customer to read product identification data located on an item to be purchased, each of said devices comprising a product identification reader for reading the product identification data, and a first wireless transceiver for transmitting the product identification data;
b. a host computer having access to a database that includes product data associated with the product identification data;
c. a second wireless transceiver for communicating between said self checkout devices and said host computer wherein said second wireless transceiver receives the product identification data from said self-checkout devices and sends to said self-checkout devices said product data;
d. security logic means for determining types of items to check in the container;
e. means for generating a security list comprised of said types of items to check; and
f. means for comparing said types of items on said security list with the items in the container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for selectively checking a self-checkout system wherein a customer registers a plurality of items with a portable terminal and deposits a plurality of items in a container, comprising the steps of:
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a. compiling a list of items registered by the customer;
b. using statistical decision analysis to determine whether to audit the customer;
c. determining, as a function of a plurality of input criteria, the number of items n to be checked;
d. selecting from the container n items to be checked;
e. reading product identification data located on each of said n items selected to be checked; and
f. determining whether said list of items registered by the customer omits any of said n items selected to be checked. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system for checking self-scanned items at a security station to determine if customers have failed to correctly register an item deposited in a container, said system comprising security logic for determining types of items to check in the container and a security list generator for generating a list including said types of items to check.
Specification