Self checkout kiosk and retail security system
First Claim
1. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
- a product;
a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the product;
a frame defining a portal there between wherein transfer of the product from a vending area to a non-vending area requires the 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 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 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 corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as sold after payment for the product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as stolen when the product moves through the portal and the database record for the corresponding 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 motion sensing device for sensing movement of a patron through the portal; and
a theft warning device configured to respond when the motion sensing device detects the patron move through the portal with the 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 product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.
105 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
-
a product; a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to the product; a frame defining a portal there between wherein transfer of the product from a vending area to a non-vending area requires the 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 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 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 corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as sold after payment for the product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as stolen when the product moves through the portal and the database record for the corresponding 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 motion sensing device for sensing movement of a patron through the portal; and a theft warning device configured to respond when the motion sensing device detects the patron move through the portal with the product and the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
-
a frame defining a portal there between for a product with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached thereto to be passed through when the product is passed from a vending area to a non-vending area; 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 configured to be 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 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 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 corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as sold after payment for the product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as stolen when the product moves through the portal and the database record for the corresponding product has not been marked as sold; a motion sensing device for sensing movement of a patron through the portal; and a theft warning device configured to respond when the motion sensing device detects the patron move through the portal with the product and the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An unattended checkout and security system comprising:
-
a frame defining a portal there between for a product with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached thereto to be passed through when the product is passed from a vending area to a non-vending area; an RFID antenna configured 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 configured to be 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 database configured to store an inventory of items located within the vending area, one of the items including the product, wherein each of the items corresponds to a 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 corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as sold after payment for the product is accepted by the purchasing mechanism, the database further configured to update the database record for the corresponding product by marking the database record for the corresponding product as stolen when the product moves through the portal and the database record for the corresponding product has not been marked as sold; and a theft warning device configured to respond when the RFID antenna detects the RFID tag passing through the portal and the database record indicates a lack of accepted payment for the product. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification