Method and apparatus for providing security to a self-service checkout terminal
First Claim
1. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:
- generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal;
detecting insertion of the item into a grocery container with a light curtain device and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto;
generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal; and
generating a valid-use control signal when the item-entered control signal is generated prior to generation of the first detection control signal.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell includes the step of locating a grocery container in the bagwell. The method also includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal. The method further includes the step of advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal. A self-service checkout terminal is also disclosed.
66 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:
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generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; detecting insertion of the item into a grocery container with a light curtain device and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto;
generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal; andgenerating a valid-use control signal when the item-entered control signal is generated prior to generation of the first detection control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:
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generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; detecting insertion of the item into a grocery container with a light curtain device and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto; and generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal, wherein the self-service checkout terminal includes a post-scan counter, further comprising the step of; detecting placement of the item onto the post-scan counter with the light curtain device and generating a second detection control signal in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal, comprising the steps of:
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generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; detecting insertion of the item into a grocery container with a light curtain device and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto; generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal; detecting removal of the item from the grocery container with the light curtain device and generating a removal control signal in response thereto; detecting a first feature set of the item with a video system prior to insertion of the item into the grocery container; detecting a second feature set of the item with the video system in response to generation of the removal control signal; and comparing the first feature set with the second feature set and generating a mismatch control signal if the first feature set does not match the second feature set. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A self-service checkout terminal, comprising:
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a bagwell for holding a grocery container, said bagwell defining an opening through which an item may be advanced; a light curtain device which (1) generates a light curtain positioned to cover said opening of said bagwell, and (2) generates a first detection control signal when said item is advanced through said light curtain and into said bagwell; a scanner; a post-scan counter positioned downstream of said scanner; and a pre-scan counter positioned upstream of said scanner, wherein said light curtain is further positioned to cover said post-scan counter, and wherein said light curtain device generates a second detection control signal when said item is advanced through said light curtain and onto said post-scan counter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell, comprising the steps of:
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locating a grocery container in the bagwell; generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto; generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal; and generating a valid-use control signal when the item-entered control signal is generated prior to generation of the first detection control signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell, comprising the steps of:
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locating a grocery container in the bagwell; generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto; and generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal, wherein (1) the self-service checkout terminal includes a post-scan counter, and (2) the light curtain is further positioned over the post-scan counter, further comprising the step of; advancing the item through the light curtain and onto the post-scan counter and generating a second detection control signal in response thereto.
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21. A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell, comprising the steps of:
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locating a grocery container in the bagwell; generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal; advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto; generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal; advancing the item from the grocery container and through the light curtain and generating a removal control signal in response thereto; detecting a first feature set of the item with a video system prior to insertion of the item into the grocery container; detecting a second feature set of the item with the video system in response to generation of the removal control signal; and comparing the first feature set with the second feature set and generating a mismatch control signal if the first feature set does not match the second feature set. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification