Terminal locking system
First Claim
1. A system that distributes one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for self-service transaction, the system including:
- a terminal for authorized use during a self-service transaction;
a first component that senses unauthorized possession of the terminal; and
a second component that indicates the unauthorized possession of the terminal by the first component.
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
19 Claims
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1. A system that distributes one of a plurality of terminals to an authorized customer for self-service transaction, the system including:
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a terminal for authorized use during a self-service transaction;
a first component that senses unauthorized possession of the terminal; and
a second component that indicates the unauthorized possession of the terminal by the first component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for distributing terminals to an authorized user for self-service transaction, comprising:
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storing a plurality of terminals on a terminal storage rack;
verifying identification of a user;
authorizing distribution of the terminal to the user;
sensing authorized possession of the terminal upon removal from the storage rack; and
indicating authorized possession of the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for accessing terminals by authorized users, comprising:
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means for storing a multitude of terminals at a location;
means for identifying the user who wishes to access the terminal;
means for sensing the unauthorized possession of the terminal; and
means for transmitting a notification that a user has unauthorized possession of the terminal.
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Specification