Method and apparatus for determining if a user walks away from a self-service checkout terminal during operation thereof

• US 7,416,117 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1998
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Morrison, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber; Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lastra; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/217,542
• Time in Patent Office: 3,536 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/23, 705/14, 705/21, 235/383, 186/61
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/04 Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/003 Anti-theft control theft alarms G08B13/00

Abstract

A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal located in a checkout area of a retail store includes the step of generating a payment-tendered control signal when a user of the self-service checkout terminal tenders payment for a number of items for purchase. The method also includes the step of detecting movement of the user on a movement detection floor mat and generating a walk-away control signal if the user exits the checkout area of the retail store. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating a personnel-request control signal if the walk-away control signal is generated prior to generation of the payment-tendered control signal. A self-service checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Claims

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

recording a number of merchandise items for purchase by a user by said self-service checkout terminal;

receiving movement signals from a plurality of adjoining detection zones of a floor mat in a checkout floor area adjacent to said self-service checkout terminal in response to said detection zones reacting to a weight of said user as said user walks on said detection zones by said self-service checkout terminal;

tracking directional movements of said user from said movement signals by said self-service checkout terminal as said user walks about said checkout floor area in any direction while using said self-service checkout terminal;

receiving a last movement signal as said user leaves said checkout floor area indicative of said user ceasing operation of said self-checkout terminal;

determining if a payment-tendered control signal was received by said self-service checkout terminal indicative of said user having tendered payment for said merchandise items prior to receipt of said last movement signal; and

if said payment-tendered control signal was not received by said self-service checkout terminal, determining a last direction of movement of said user prior to said user leaving said checkout floor area by said self-service checkout terminal, and operating a summoning device so as to summon retail personnel by said self-service checkout terminal if said last direction of movement was towards an exit of said store.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said summoning device comprises a status light above said self-service checkout terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said summoning device comprises a paging system coupled to said self-service checkout terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking rates of directional movements and operating said summoning device after determining from a final rate that said user is exiting said checkout floor area in haste.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that said last direction of movement of said user prior to said user leaving said checkout floor area was towards a shopping area by said self-service checkout terminal;

receiving a new movement signal as said user reenters said checkout floor area; and

allowing said user to continue a retail transaction in response to receipt of said new movement signal.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

tracking directional movements of a cart of said user on said floor mat.

7. A self-service checkout system comprising:

a floor mat including a plurality of adjoining detection zones for producing movement signals in a checkout floor area in response to said detection zones reacting to a weight of said user as said user walks on said detection zones;

a summoning device; and

a self-service checkout terminal adjacent to said checkout floor area including a computer for

recording a number of merchandise items for purchase by said user;

receiving movement signals from said floor mat;

tracking directional movements of said user from said movement signals as said user walks about said checkout floor area in any direction while using said self-service checkout terminal;

receiving a last movement signal as said user leaves said checkout floor area indicative of said user ceasing operation of said self-checkout terminal;

determining if a payment-tendered control signal was received, indicative of said user having tendered payment for said merchandise items prior to receipt of said last movement signal; and

if said payment-tendered control signal was not received, determining a last direction of movement of said user prior to said user leaving said checkout floor area, and operating said summoning device so as to summon retail personnel if the last direction of movement was towards an exit of the store.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said summoning device comprises a status light above said self-service checkout terminal.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said summoning device comprises a paging system coupled to said self-service checkout terminal.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer is also for tracking rates of directional movements and operating said summoning device after determining from a final rate that said user is exiting said checkout floor area in haste.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer is also for

determining that said last direction of movement of said user prior to said user leaving said checkout floor area was towards a shopping area;

receiving a new movement signal as said user reenters said checkout floor area; and

allowing said user to continue a retail transaction in response to receipt of said new movement signal.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer is also for

tracking directional movements of a cart of said user on said floor mat.