Self checkout kiosk and retail security system
First Claim
1. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
- at least one product;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the at least one product;
a frame defining a portal there between wherein transfer of the at least one product from a vending area to a non-vending area requires the at least one product to pass through the portal;
a first RFID antenna coupled to the frame to detect the RFID tag passing through the portal;
a RFID reader configured to read product data from the RFID tag;
a self-checkout apparatus located within the vending area, the self-checkout apparatus including a purchasing mechanism configured to accept payment for the product after the RFID reader reads the product data from the RFID tag;
a mobile device paired to the self-checkout apparatus to accept payment for the product after the RFID reader reads the product data from the RFID tag;
a database coupled to the purchasing mechanism and configured to store an inventory of items located within the vending area, one of the items including the at least one product;
wherein each of the items has a different identification code and corresponds to a unique database record within the database, the database further configured to receive the product data from the RFID reader and update the database record for the at least one product by marking the database record for the at least one product as sold after payment for the at least one product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the at least one product by marking the database record for the at least one product as stolen when the at least one product moves through the portal and the database record for the at least one product has not been marked as sold;
a video camera directed toward the portal and configured to send video data to a remote location outside the vending area;
a video recorder for storing the video data and configured to respond to transfer of the at least one product through the portal when the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product; and
a motion sensing device for detecting movement of a patron through the portal and wherein the video recorder is configured to record the video data when the motion sensing device detects the patron move through the portal with the at least one product and the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.
123 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
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at least one product; a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the at least one product; a frame defining a portal there between wherein transfer of the at least one product from a vending area to a non-vending area requires the at least one product to pass through the portal; a first RFID antenna coupled to the frame to detect the RFID tag passing through the portal; a RFID reader configured to read product data from the RFID tag; a self-checkout apparatus located within the vending area, the self-checkout apparatus including a purchasing mechanism configured to accept payment for the product after the RFID reader reads the product data from the RFID tag; a mobile device paired to the self-checkout apparatus to accept payment for the product after the RFID reader reads the product data from the RFID tag; a database coupled to the purchasing mechanism and configured to store an inventory of items located within the vending area, one of the items including the at least one product; wherein each of the items has a different identification code and corresponds to a unique database record within the database, the database further configured to receive the product data from the RFID reader and update the database record for the at least one product by marking the database record for the at least one product as sold after payment for the at least one product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the at least one product by marking the database record for the at least one product as stolen when the at least one product moves through the portal and the database record for the at least one product has not been marked as sold; a video camera directed toward the portal and configured to send video data to a remote location outside the vending area; a video recorder for storing the video data and configured to respond to transfer of the at least one product through the portal when the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product; and a motion sensing device for detecting movement of a patron through the portal and wherein the video recorder is configured to record the video data when the motion sensing device detects the patron move through the portal with the at least one product and the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification