Automated self-checkout system

• US 8,825,531 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ECR Software Corporation
• Original Assignee: ECR Software Corporation
• Inventors: Catoe, Peter Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Application Number:
  US13/106,090
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for an automated self-checkout system. The system includes a self-checkout housing, a means for inputting information, a means for receiving payment, a means for providing information to a customer, and a controller operatively connected to the means for inputting, means for receiving and the means for providing information to the customer. Additionally, the controller includes a reset module that responds to input inactivity prior to completion of the purchaser transaction by voiding the transaction and resetting the display to start a new transaction. The invention may also include a security verification mechanism.

Claims

1. An automated self-checkout system comprising:

a self-checkout housing for use by a customer or person in tangible store;

a means for inputting information about products being purchased in a self-checkout transaction at the self-checkout housing;

a means for receiving payment for the products being purchased in the self-checkout transaction at the self-checkout housing;

a means for providing information to a customer during the self-checkout transaction at the self-checkout housing; and

a controller operatively connected to the means for inputting, the means for receiving, and the means for providing information,

wherein the controller has programming arranged to process information from the means for inputting and compiles information for the products being purchased in the self-checkout transaction to allow calculation of a total amount due for the transaction, and to provide to a customer on the means for providing information an amount due for the transaction, enabling payment by the customer by use of the means for receiving payment to complete a purchaser transaction at a self-checkout in the tangible store;

the controller programming having a reset module that responds to a period of input inactivity by the purchaser at any time at the retail self-checkout in the tangible store before completion of the purchaser self-checkout transaction to void a purchaser self-checkout transaction and reset the means for providing information to start an entirely new self-checkout transaction;

wherein the reset module is arranged to include a time-out warning to the purchaser on the means for providing information prior to voiding a purchaser in-store retail self-checkout transaction and resetting the display to start a new self-checkout transaction, and

a reset module override that is arranged to prevent a void and reset of a retail self-checkout transaction when the purchaser responds to the time-out warning within a predetermined period of time.

2. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 further including a checkout security.

3. The automated self-checkout system of claim 2 wherein the checkout security includes an automatic weight detection feature.

4. The automated self-checkout system of claim 3 wherein the automatic weight detector feature includes a sensor for determining when a customer has approached the self-checkout system.

5. The automated self-checkout system of claim 3 further including a proximity sensor for sensing when a customer has approached the self-check system.

6. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 wherein the means for inputting information about products is selected from the group consisting of an identification code reader arranged to read input of identifications on articles for sale, manual input, a cellular phone, wireless communication receiver, and more than one of these.

7. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving payment is selected from the group consisting of a credit card reader, a debit card reader, a smart card reader, a cash receiver, a wireless transfer of funds and more than one of these.

8. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 wherein the means for providing information is selected form the group consisting of a video monitor display, a wireless transmission, a paper printout and more than one of these.

9. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 wherein the controller further includes a user identification module.

10. The automated self-checkout system of claim 1 wherein the reset module is arranged to include a continue option prior to voiding a purchaser transaction and resetting the display to start a new transaction.

11. The automated self-checkout system of claim 10 wherein the controller is arranged to require a user identification entry before allowing a continuation of the transaction.

12. The automated self-checkout system of claim 11 wherein the controller is arranged to activate the void and reset module if an incorrect user identification entry is detected.

13. The automated self-checkout system of claim 12 wherein the checkout security is selected from the group consisting of a surveillance monitor, a sensor monitor, proximity sensor, and more than one of these.

14. An automated self-checkout system comprising:

a self-checkout housing for use by a customer in-person in a tangible store;

an input reader arranged to accept input about items being purchased in a self-checkout transaction at the self-checkout housing;

a payment acceptor at the self-checkout housing arranged to accept payment for the items being purchased in the self-checkout transaction;

a display at the self-checkout housing arranged to provide and receive information during the self-checkout transaction; and

a controller operatively connected to the input reader, the payment acceptor, and the display,

wherein the controller has programming arranged to process information from the input reader and compile information for the products being purchased in the self-checkout transaction to allow calculation of a total amount due for the transaction, and to provide to a customer on the display an amount due for the transaction, enabling payment by the customer by use of the payment acceptor to complete a purchaser transaction;

the controller having a reset module that responds to a period of input inactivity by the purchaser at any time before completion of the purchaser transaction to void a purchaser'"'"'s self-checkout transaction and reset the display to start a new self-checkout transaction,

wherein the reset module is arranged to include a time-out warning to the purchaser on the retail self-checkout housing prior to voiding the purchaser'"'"'s in-person self-checkout transaction and resetting the display to start an entirely new self-checkout transaction; and

a reset module override that is arranged to prevent a void and reset of a retail self-checkout transaction when the purchaser responds to the time-out warning within a predetermined period of time.

15. An automated self-checkout method comprising:

receiving an identification input for sale items involved in a purchaser self-checkout transaction at a self-checkout housing by reading the identification input on the item handled by the purchaser;

processing the identification input in a controller arranged to process input information and prepare a self-checkout transaction detail;

generating a purchaser self-checkout transaction detail;

presenting a purchaser with the purchaser transaction detail on a means for providing information to a customer during the self-checkout transaction at the self-checkout housing;

controlling a reset module that responds to a period of input inactivity by the purchaser at the self-checkout housing at any time at the retail self-checkout before completion of the in-person purchaser transaction to void a purchaser transaction and reset the display to start a new self-checkout transaction,

including presenting the purchaser a time-out warning at the self-checkout housing prior to voiding a purchaser transaction and resetting the display to start a new self-checkout transaction, and

programming a reset module override that is arranged to prevent a void and reset of a retail self-checkout transaction when the purchaser responds to the time-out warning within a predetermined period of time.

16. The automated self-checkout method of claim 15 wherein the time-out warning presents a continuation screen option wherein the user may proceed with the current transaction instead of voiding the purchaser transaction and resetting the display to start a new transaction.

17. The automated self-checkout method of claim 16 further including requiring a user identification entry before allowing the user to proceed with the current transaction.

18. The automated self-checkout method of claim 15 further including monitoring the purchaser transaction wherein the controller directs a monitoring system to monitor and record the purchaser transaction and to conclude monitoring upon completion of the purchaser transaction.