USRE41717E1 - Apparatus and method for operating a checkout system having a display monitor which displays both transaction information and customer-specific messages during a checkout transaction - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase of a customer is entered into the retail terminal by retail personnel. The method also includes the step of retrieving retail history information associated with the customer from a customer profile database. The method further includes the step of displaying item information associated with the item for purchase on a first portion of the display monitor in response to generation of the item-entered control signal. Moreover, the method includes the step of displaying a customer-specific retail message based on the retail history information on a second portion of the display monitor. The step of displaying the customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with the step of displaying the item information associated with the item for purchase. A retail terminal is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

Cross reference is made to copending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/432,638, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Security Scale for Providing Security During an Assisted Checkout Transaction” by Wilfried E. Y. Dejaeger; Ser. No. 09/432,641, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Scanner Which is Rotatable Between an Assisted Scanner Position and a Self-Service Scanner Position” by Wilfried E. Y. Dejaeger, Mark S. Hoffman, Terry M. Glogovsky, and Alfred J. Hutcheon; Ser. No. 09/432,636, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating Convertible Checkout System Which Has a Customer Side and a Personnel Side” by Wilfried E. Y. Dejaeger, Alfred J. Hutcheon, John C. Addy, and James Morrison; Ser. No. 09/432,636, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Movable Takeaway Belt Mechanism and Associated System Construction” by Charles K. Wike, Jr., Kurt J. Lippert, and Paul F. Nugent, Jr.; Ser. No. 09/432,635, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having an Item Set-Aside Shelf Which is Movable Between a Number of Shelf Positions” by Paul F. Nugent, Jr.; Ser. No. 09/432,634, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Number of Port Expander Devices Associated Therewith” by Robert T. Snyder; Ser. No. 09/432,637, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Power Distribution Architecture Which Conforms to an International Standard” by Robert T. Snyder; Ser. No. 09/432,626, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having an Electronic Security Deactivation Device Associated Therewith” by Robert T. Snyder and Kurt J. Lippert; Ser. No. 09/432,157, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Which H as a Number of Payment Devices for Tendering Payment During an Assisted Checkout Transaction” by Donald L. Forsythe and Horg Jaan Lin; Ser. No. 09/432,630, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Number of Interface Terminals Associated Therewith” by Kurt J. Lippert, Charles K. Wike, Jr., and Paul F. Nugent, Jr.; Ser. No. 09/432,628, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having an RF Transmitter for Communicating to a Number of Wireless Personal Pagers” by Robert T. Snyder; Ser. No. 09/432,631, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having an RF Transmitter for Communicating to a Receiver Associated with an Intercom System” by Robert T. Snyder and Kurt J. Lippert; Ser. No. 09/432,627, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Number of Item Sensors for Controlling Operation of an Input Belt Mechanism” by Kurt J. Lippert and Robert T. Snyder; and Ser. No. 09/432,629, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Video Camera for Enhancing Security During Operation Thereof” by Kurt J. Lippert, each of which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and each of which is filed concurrently herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a checkout system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for operating a checkout system having a display monitor which displays both transaction information and customer-specific messages during a checkout transaction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the retail industry, the largest expenditures are typically the cost of the goods sold followed closely by the cost of labor expended. With particular regard to the retail grocery or supermarket industry, the impetus to reduce labor costs has focused on reducing or eliminating the amount of time required to handle and/or process the items or goods to be purchased by a customer. To this end, there have been a number of self-service checkout systems developed which attempt to substantially eliminate the need for a checkout clerk.

A self-service checkout system is operated by a customer without the aid of a checkout clerk. Hence, during operation of a self-service checkout system, the customer scans individual items for purchase across a scanner and then places the scanned item into a grocery bag, if desired. The customer then pays for his or her purchases either at the self-service checkout system if so equipped, or at a central payment area which is staffed by a store employee. Thus, a self-service checkout system permits a customer to select, itemize, and in some cases pay for his or her purchases without the assistance of the retailer's personnel.

It should be appreciated that a given retailer may have a number of reservations in regard to implementation of self-service checkout systems into the retailer's operation. For example, certain self-service checkout systems which have heretofore been designed are more expensive relative to assisted checkout systems (i.e. retail checkout systems which are operated by an employee of the retailer such as a checkout clerk). The higher cost associated with a self-service checkout system is typically due to the fact that the system itself must perform functions that would normally be performed by the checkout clerk operating the checkout system thereby increasing the number of components associated with the self-service checkout system. For instance, in the case of a self-service checkout system, the system must provide security from improprieties such as theft. Moreover, in certain self-service checkout systems, the checkout system itself must collect payment from the customer for his or her items for purchase. It is the cost of the hardware and software necessary to provide such functions to the self-service checkout system which in certain cases cause the cost of the system to typically exceed the cost of an assisted checkout system.

Moreover, a number of retailers fear that the retailers customers may not embrace the idea of using self-service checkout systems to checkout their items for purchase thereby potentially causing the systems to go unused in the retailers store. In such a situation, the retailer would have expended a relatively substantial sum of money for a checkout system which is not being utilized thereby increasing costs associated with the retailer's operation.

Yet further, it is generally recognized that a well-trained checkout clerk is capable of completing a checkout transaction in a more timely manner relative to an untrained customer. Accordingly, during periods of peak demand within the retailer's store, it is desirable for the retailer to operate a relatively large number of assisted checkout systems in order to expedite the checkout process thereby preventing customers from undesirably being forced to wait in long checkout queues. However, during periods of lesser demand within the retailer's store, it is desirable for the retailer to operate a relatively large number of self-service checkout systems in order to reduce the number of employees (i.e. checkout clerks) that the retailer must have present in the store. Hence, a compromise must be made between the number of assisted checkout systems and the number of self-service checkout systems which are installed in the retailer's store.

What is needed therefore is a checkout system which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. What is particularly needed is a low-cost, easy-to-operate checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system. What is further needed is a checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system that can be quickly and easily converted between the two types of systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor. The method includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into the retail terminal. The method also includes the step of displaying item information associated with the item for purchase on a first portion of the display monitor in response to generation of the item-entered control signal. In addition, the method includes the step of displaying a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of the display monitor. The step of displaying the customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with the step of displaying the item information associated with the item for purchase.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a retail terminal. The retail terminal includes a display monitor and a processing unit electrically coupled to the display monitor. Moreover, the retail terminal includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) generate an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into the retail terminal, (b) display item information associated with the item for purchase on a first portion of the display monitor in response to generation of the item-entered control signal, and (c) display a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of the display monitor contemporaneously with display of the item information associated with the item for purchase on the first portion of the display monitor.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor. The method includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase of a customer is entered into the retail terminal by retail personnel. The method also includes the step of retrieving retail history information associated with the customer from a customer profile database. The method further includes the step of displaying item information associated with the item for purchase on a first portion of the display monitor in response to generation of the item-entered control signal. Moreover, the method includes the step of displaying a customer-specific retail message based on the retail history information on a second portion of the display monitor. The step of displaying the customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with the step of displaying the item information associated with the item for purchase.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful checkout system.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improved checkout system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and useful method of operating a checkout system.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of operating a checkout system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a low-cost, easy-to-operate checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system.

It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system that can be quickly and easily converted between the two types of systems.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retail checkout system which incorporates the features of the present invention therein, note that the checkout system is shown configured in its assisted checkout system configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational of the personnel side of the checkout system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the customer side of the checkout system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the checkout system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar toFIG. 1, but showing the checkout system configured in its self-service checkout system configuration;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational of the personnel side of the checkout system ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the customer side of the checkout system ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the checkout system ofFIG. 5;

FIGS. 9,9A and9B illustrate the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIGS. 10,10A and10B show the power distribution architecture of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 11 is a plan view similar toFIGS. 4 and 8 which shows the scanner assembly during rotation thereof;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-4 which shows the takeaway belt mechanism in its extended position;

FIG. 13 is a view similar toFIG. 12, but showing the takeaway belt mechanism in its retracted position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a transaction receipt that is printed by the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 15 is a view similar toFIGS. 12 and 13, but showing the set-aside shelf positioned in its self-service position;

FIG. 16 is a plan view similar toFIG. 4 which shows a shopping cart and basket positioned proximate to the checkout system;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of the checkout system ofFIG. 1 which shows a “flatbed” scanner which may be utilized in the construction of the checkout system;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the support arm assembly which is utilized to support the interactive customer interface terminal of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 19 is a plan view which shows the interactive customer interface terminal positioned in its assisted position;

FIG. 20 is a view similar toFIG. 19, but showing the interactive customer interface terminal positioned in its self-service position;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the interactive customer interface terminal of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of the paging system of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view which shows the personnel interface terminal of the checkout system ofFIGS. 1-8 in its assisted position;

FIG. 24 is a view similar toFIG. 23, but showing the personnel interface terminal in its self-service position;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart which shows a general procedure or routine for operating the checkout system of the present invention in its assisted mode of operation;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart which shows the scale security routine for providing security during operation of the checkout system of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart which shows the video security routine for providing security during operation of the checkout system of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart which shows a general procedure or routine for operating the checkout system of the present invention in its self-service mode of operation;

FIG. 29 is view similar toFIG. 1, but showing an alternative embodiment of a terminal cabinet which may be utilized in certain configurations of the checkout system of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a self-service checkout system which incorporates the features of the present invention therein; and

FIG. 31 is a view similar toFIG. 30, but showing a second embodiment of a self-service checkout system which incorporates the features of the present invention therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-8, there is shown a retail checkout terminal orsystem10 for use in a retail business such as a grocery store. Thecheckout system10 is configured to perform a number of retail functions such as assisted checkout functions and unassisted or “self-service” checkout functions. What is meant herein by the term “assisted checkout functions” or “assisted checkout transactions” are those checkout functions or transactions performed by a checkout system when the checkout system is being operated by retail personnel such as a clerk or associate which is employed by the retailer to operate the checkout system. For example, an assisted checkout function or transaction would be performed by thecheckout system10 in response to a store-employed clerk scanning or otherwise entering a customer's items for purchase into the checkout system, and thereafter depressing a payment-received key on the checkout system which indicates that the customer paid for such items. Accordingly, what is meant herein by the phrase “assisted mode of operation” is a configuration of thecheckout system10 which allows thesystem10 to perform an assisted checkout function or transaction.

Moreover, what is meant herein by the term “self-service checkout functions” or “self-service checkout transactions” are those checkout functions or transactions which are performed by a checkout system by the customer himself or herself without the assistance of a clerk or other personnel employed by the retailer. For example, a self-service checkout function or transaction would be performed by thecheckout system10 in response to a customer himself or herself scanning or otherwise entering items for purchase into the checkout system, and thereafter depressing a payment key on the checkout system which indicates the manner by which the customer intends to pay for such items (e.g. by interaction with a credit/debit card reader or a currency acceptor). Accordingly, what is meant herein by the phrase “self-service mode of operation” is a configuration of thecheckout system10 which allows thesystem10 to perform a self-service checkout function or transaction.

In addition, what is meant herein by the term “customer” is a person who enters a retailer's store, selects his or her items for purchase from the shopping area of the store, checks out his or items for purchase at a checkout system such as the checkout system10 (including tendering payment for his or her items for purchase), and then exits the store subsequent to tendering payment. Hence, as used herein, a customer is distinguished from retail personnel such as a checkout clerk or other employee of the retailer in that a customer enters the retailer's store for the sole purpose of purchasing items from the store. Moreover, what is meant herein by the term “retail personnel” is a person that is employed by the retailer to perform a retail activity such as operation of a checkout system such as thecheckout system10 for the purpose of conducting a retail transaction such as an assisted checkout transaction. Examples of retail personnel include a checkout clerk or customer service manager. Also, the term “user” is herein used to refer to any operator of thecheckout system10. Accordingly, a user may be retail personnel, a customer, or any other person who operates thecheckout system10.

Thecheckout system10 includes apre-scan area12, anitemization area14, apayment area16, and apost-scan area18. Thepre-scan area12 includes an item transport mechanism such as aninput belt mechanism20 which includes aninput belt22. As will be discussed below in greater detail, theinput belt mechanism20 is utilized to convey items for purchase toward theitemization area14 in order for the items to be scanned by a user of thecheckout system10.

Thepre-scan area12 also includes anupstream item sensor98 and adownstream item sensor100. Theitem sensors98,100 are preferably embodied as known photodetector devices which are capable of detecting presence of an item at predetermined locations on theinput belt22 when a light beam respectively generated thesensors98,100 is interrupted by an item. However, it should be appreciated that theitem sensors98,100 may alternatively be embodied as any type of sensor which is capable of detecting presence of items on theinput belt22. Theitem sensors98,100 are provided to facilitate item movement from an upstream location to a downstream location on theinput belt22. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used herein to be consistent with the flow of items through thecheckout system10 during a typical checkout procedure. In particular, an item enters at the area proximate the pre-scan12 then flows in a downstream direction to be scanned or otherwise entered at theitemization area14. Once the item is scanned or otherwise entered at theitemization area14, the item flows from theitemization area14 in a downstream direction to thepost-scan area18.

Theupstream item sensor98 is provided to determine when a customer places an item on anupstream end portion22a of theinput belt22. Although only asingle item sensor98 is shown inFIGS. 1-8, it should be appreciated that any number ofitem sensors98 may be utilized so as to detect item placement at any location on theupstream end portion22a of theinput belt22. As described below in greater detail, once theitem sensor98 detects presence of an item on theupstream end portion22a of theinput belt22, the motor (not shown) associated with theinput belt mechanism20 is actuated so as to advance theinput belt22 thereby causing the item to be advanced in a downstream direction toward theitemization area14. More specifically, actuation of the motor associated with theinput belt mechanism20 causes the item to be advanced in a downstream direction until it reaches a predetermined location at adownstream end portion22b of the input belt. As can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 8, thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22 is upstream of theitemization area14. Once the item is advanced to the predetermined location at thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22, presence of the item is detected by thedownstream item sensor100 which in turn causes the motor associated with theinput belt mechanism20 to be deactuated thereby halting advancement of the item at a position in which the item can be easily scanned or otherwise entered by a customer (in the case of when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation) or a checkout clerk (in the case of the were thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation).

Theitemization area14 of the checkout system includes ascanner24 and aproduct scale26. Thescanner24 conventionally scans or reads a product identification code such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), industrial symbol(s), alphanumeric character(s), or other indicia associated with an item to be purchased. One scanner which may be used in the present invention is a model number 7875 bi-optic scanner which is commercially available from NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.

Thescanner24 includes afirst scanning window24a and asecond scanning window24b. Thefirst scanning window24a is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner, whereas thesecond scanning window24b is disposed in a substantially vertical manner, as shown in FIG.2. More specifically, thecheckout system10 includes a number ofcabinets28,30,32. A portion of thecabinets28,30,32 define aterminal base34 which has a substantially horizontalupper surface36. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, thehorizontal scanning window24a is disposed in a relatively flush-mount arrangement with theupper surface36 of theterminal base34. Moreover, theproduct scale26 is integrated with thescanner24. More specifically, theproduct scale26 is disposed substantially parallel to theupper surface36 of theterminal base34 and hence thehorizontal scanning window24a thereby enveloping thehorizontal scanning window24a. If an item such as produce is placed upon theproduct scale26 or thehorizontal scanning window24a, theproduct scale26 may be used to determine the weight of the item.

Thescanner24 also includes a light source (not shown) such as a laser, a rotating mirror (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown), and a mirror array (not shown). In operation, a laser beam reflects off the rotating mirror and mirror array to produce a pattern of scanning light beams. As the product identification code on an item is passed over thescanner24, the scanning light beams scatter off the code and are returned to thescanner24 where they are collected and detected. The reflected light is then analyzed electronically in order to determine whether the reflected light contains a valid code pattern. If a valid code pattern is present, the product identification code may then be utilized to retrieve product information associated with the item (e.g. the price of the item).

Thescanner24 and theproduct scale26 are movably mounted to theterminal base34. In particular, thescanner24 and theproduct scale26 are rotatably mounted to a support platform such as a slidingdrawer assembly38. Use of the slidingdrawer assembly38 allows thescanner24 and theproduct scale26 to be rotated relative to theterminal base34 so as to be operated by either a customer or a checkout clerk. In particular, as shown inFIG. 11, the slidingdrawer assembly38 may be slid out from theterminal base34 into its extended position such that the scanner24 (and hence the product scale26) may be rotated between an assisted scanner position (seeFIGS. 1-4) in which thescanner24 is operable by a checkout clerk, and a self-service scanner position (seeFIGS. 5-8) in which thescanner24 is operable by a customer. Thereafter, the sliding drawer assembly is slid back into its retracted position within the interior of theterminal base34 such that operation of thescanner24 by the checkout clerk or the customer may be commenced.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 8, thecheckout system10 has acustomer side40 and apersonnel side42. More specifically, theterminal base34 divides thecheckout system10 into thecustomer side40 which is the side of thecheckout system10 where the customer is positioned during a checkout transaction, and thepersonnel side42 which is the side of thecheckout system10 where retail personnel such as a checkout clerk is located during a checkout transaction. A customer is positioned on thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10 irrespective of whether thesystem10 is being operated to perform an assisted checkout transaction or a self-service checkout transaction, whereas retail personnel is at all times positioned on thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10. Use of the rotatingscanner24 facilitates such “same side” operation of thecheckout system10. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, rotation of thescanner24 into its assisted scanner position causes thevertical scanning window24b to face thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10, whereas rotation of thescanner24 into its self-service scanner position causes thevertical scanning window24b to face thecustomer side40 of the checkout system10 (see FIGS.5-8). Such a system configuration (i.e. use of the rotatingscanner24 to cause the customer to be positioned on thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10 irrespective of whether thesystem10 is being operated to perform an assisted checkout transaction or a self-service checkout transaction, and retail personnel to be positioned on thepersonnel side42 of the checkout system10) is particularly useful for enhancing system component layout and system placement within the store.

Theitemization area14 also includes a security deactivation device172 (see FIGS.4 and8). Thesecurity deactivation device172 is provided to deactivate or otherwise disable security tags associated with an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. In particular, certain items sold by the retailer may have an electronic tag secured thereto. Such electronic tags are generally a label or “clip-on” mechanism which has an electronic transponder imbedded therein which triggers an alarm if the item is taken from the retailers store without the tag being deactivated or otherwise disabled beforehand. It should be appreciated that such tags are generally secured to items that are expensive in nature, but as the cost associated with such electronic tags continues to decrease, more and more items associated with a given retail operation may be equipped with such electronic tags.

In any event, the electronic tags associated with EAS systems are deactivated by exposing the tag to a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field such as an RF field. Thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention generates such a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of thecheckout system10 so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase as the items are scanned with thescanner24. In particular, thesecurity deactivation device172 generates a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a scanner detection zone associated with thescanner24. What is meant herein by the term “scanner detection zone” is the area proximate thescanning windows24a,24b of thescanner24 which defines the maximum range in which an item can be successfully scanned as it is passed across thescanner24. Security deactivation devices which are suitable for use as thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention are commercially available from Checkpoint Systems, Incorporated of Thorofare, New Jersey (in the case of an RF field generator) and Sensormatic Electronics Corporation of Boca Raton, Florida (in the case of a magnetic field generator).

By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a scanning motion utilized to scan an item with thescanner24 causes the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion. Such utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 is particularly useful when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, by “automatically” deactivating the electronic security tag when the item is being scanned by a customer (i.e. deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which of the customer's items contain electronic security tags that need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic security tags associated with the customer's items for purchase. It should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds cost to the retailers operation (e.g. the cost associated with staffing the centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailers store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue is present at the centralized area.

Utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of items into thecheckout system10 by the customer. In particular, utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 eliminates the need for the retail clerk to intervene into the customers transaction thereby reducing labor costs associated with the retailer's operation, along with increasing convenience to the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation.

It should be appreciated that thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g. the magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field once the product code associated with the item has been captured by thescanner24. In particular, under the premise that if the customer is making an attempt to scan the item, the customer is likely not trying to commit an impropriety such as theft, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the electronic security tag is deactivated irrespective of whether or not the product code associated with the item is actually captured with thescanner24. For example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner24 (by advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code associated with the item facing one of thescanning windows24a,24b), but the product code is not captured by thescanner24 for any reason, thesecurity deactivation device172, if configured to continuously produce the deactivation field, causes the electronic security tag to be deactivated even though the item was not actually entered in thecheckout system10. However, in the case of operation of thecheckout system10 by an honest customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g. by re-scanning the item or manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item since the customer is not generally made aware of the fact that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.

However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security tag is prematurely deactivated without the item being subsequently entered in thecheckout system10, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code associated with the item has been entered into thecheckout system10. In particular, a control signal is generated when a product code associated with an item is captured by thescanner24. In response to generation of such a control signal, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be instantaneously actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field generated by thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a scanning motion or subsequent handling motion (e.g. the motion associated with placement of the item into the post-scan area18).

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 includes the system components necessary to allow a customer to perform retail finalization functions such as tendering payment for his or her items for purchase and printing of transaction receipts. In particular, thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 includes anelectronic payment terminal44 having a card reader and keypad, a pair of currency acceptors such as acoin acceptor46 and abill acceptor50, a corresponding pair of currency dispensers such as acoin dispenser48 and abill dispenser52, and areceipt printer54. As shown inFIG. 1, the system components associated with thepayment area16 are positioned to face thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10 so as to be accessible to a customer during a checkout transaction.

The system components associated with thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 are provided to allow the customer to tender payment for his or her items for purchase when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, once the customer has entered all of his or her items for purchase into thecheckout terminal10 during a self-service checkout transaction, the components associated with thepayment area16 are utilized to complete the self-service checkout transaction by (1) allowing payment to be tendered by either insertion of currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50), charging a credit card or debit card account, or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via theelectronic payment terminal44, and (2) printing a transaction receipt with thereceipt printer54. In the case of when a customer inserts currency into the coin accept46 and/or thebill acceptor50, thecheckout system10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. thecoin dispenser48 and/or the bill dispenser52).

However, the system components associated with thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 are also provided to enhance the efficiency and throughput associated with operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation. In particular, once the checkout clerk operating thecheckout system10 to perform the assisted checkout transaction has entered the last of the customer's items for purchase, the system components associated with thepayment area16 may be utilized to finalize or otherwise complete the customers transaction without additional intervention or assistance from the checkout clerk. In particular, as the checkout clerk begins to enter items associated with a subsequent checkout transaction, the customer may tender payment for the previous checkout transaction by either inserting currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50), charging a credit card or debit card account, or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via theelectronic payment terminal44. In the case of when a customer inserts currency into thecoin acceptor46 and/or thebill acceptor50, thecheckout system10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. thecoin dispenser48 and/or the bill dispenser52). Thereafter, a transaction receipt is printed by thereceipt printer54 for presentation to the customer without assistance from retail personnel.

As described, use of the system components associated with thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 provides numerous advantages to thecheckout system10 of the present invention. For example, by operating thecheckout system10 such that payment is tendered by the customer by use of the currency acceptor (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50) or theelectronic payment device44 without the assistance of the checkout clerk allows the checkout clerk to begin a subsequent transaction while the customer completes the current transaction thereby enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with thecheckout system10. Similarly, operation of theelectronic payment terminal44 and generation of the transaction receipt on thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10 allows the customer to complete his or her transaction without further assistance from the checkout clerk thereby further enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with thecheckout system10.

Thepost-scan area18 includes an item transport mechanism such as atakeaway belt mechanism56 having atakeaway belt58. Moreover, thepost-scan area18 includes a includes a self-service bagwell60 (seeFIG. 1) and an assisted bagwell62 (see FIGS.2 and6). Thebagwells60,62 are provided to accommodate one or more grocery containers such as grocery bags (not shown). In particular, the self-service bagwell60 is configured to allow two or more grocery bags to be accessed by the customer at any given time thereby allowing a customer to selectively load various item types into the grocery bags during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation. For example, during a self-service checkout transaction, the customer may desire to use a first grocery bag for household chemical items such as soap or bleach, and a second grocery bag for edible items such as meat and produce in order to keep the two types of items separate.

Similarly, the assistedbagwell62 is configured to allow two or more grocery bags to be accessed by the checkout clerk at any given time thereby allowing the clerk to selectively load various item types into the grocery bags during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation. Such a configuration of the assistedbagwell62 is particularly useful when thecheckout system10 is being operated by a checkout clerk to perform an “express” checkout transaction in which the total number of items for purchase in the transaction is relatively small and can therefore be bagged in a small number of grocery bags.

Thetakeaway belt mechanism56 is provided to transport items which have been scanned with thescanner24 or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10 to a baggingcounter66 where the items are placed into grocery bags or the like by a bagging clerk. Hence, as described herein, the self-service bagwell60, the assistedbagwell62, and the baggingcounter66 define the three bagging stations associated with thecheckout system10. Thetakeaway belt58 of thetakeway belt mechanism56 is slidably secured to theterminal base34. In particular, thetakeway belt58 may be slid between an extended position (seeFIG. 12) and a retracted position (see FIG.13). As shown inFIG. 13, when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its retracted position, anend portion58a of thetakeaway belt58 is spaced apart from thescanner24 so as to expose an overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 in order to allow the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to place an item into a grocery bag within the assistedbagwell62 once the item has been scanned.

Conversely, as shown inFIG. 12, when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its extended position, theend portion58a of thetakeaway belt58 is positioned proximate to thescanner24 in order to cover the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62. Positioning thetakeaway belt58 in its extended position allows the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to place an item onto thetakeaway belt58 once the item has been scanned thereby allowing the item to be transported to the baggingcounter66 by thetakeaway belt mechanism56.

Hence, what is meant herein by the term “overhead access opening” is a substantially downward ingress into one of thebagwells60,62 which allows an item to be advanced in a substantially downward direction into one of the grocery bags positioned in thebagwell60,62. For example, as shown inFIG. 13, the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 is exposed when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its retracted position thereby allowing the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to advance an item in a substantially downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within the assistedbagwell62. However, as shown inFIG. 12, the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 is covered when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its extended position thereby preventing the checkout clerk from advancing an item in a substantially downward direction into the assistedbagwell62.

Thepost-scan area18 also includes asecurity scale68. Thesecurity scale68 is a weight scale which monitors the weight of items placed in either the self-service bagwell60 (i.e. into a grocery bag located in the bagwell60) or the assisted bagwell62 (i.e. into a grocery bag located in the bagwell62). As shall be discussed below in greater detail, in addition to providing security by monitoring item movement into and out of the self-service bagwell60 during a self-service checkout transaction, thesecurity scale68 is also utilized to provide security by monitoring item movement into and out of the assistedbagwell62 during an assisted checkout transaction. Such monitoring during an assisted checkout transaction is particularly useful to prevent “sweethearting” in which the checkout clerk scans a first item, but then places a second, more expensive item (or an item which hasn't been scanned at all) into the customer's bag. Such “sweethearting” is generally the result of a checkout clerk attempting to provide an improper benefit to a customer who is an acquaintance of the checkout clerk. Use of a bagwell scale has heretofore only been included in dedicated self-service checkout system designs. However, since thecheckout system10 of the present invention includes thesecurity scale68 for monitoring item movement during self-service checkout transactions, the same scale (i.e. the security scale68) can be utilized in a novel manner by the systems and methods described herein to provide the aforedescribed security during assisted checkout transactions without adding additional costs to the design of thecheckout system10.

Thepost-scan area18 of the checkout system further includes a set-aside shelf70. The set-aside shelf70 is positionable in either an assisted shelf position (seeFIGS. 1,12, and13) or a self-service shelf position (see FIGS.5 and15). The set-aside shelf70 is provided to allow a user of the system10 (e.g. either a customer or a checkout clerk) to set an item aside once the item has been scanned or otherwise entered into thesystem10, but prior to placing the item into a grocery bag within one of thebagwells60,62. For example, if thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation, and a customer scans a loaf of bread, the customer may want to place the bread onto the set-aside shelf70 until one of the grocery bags within the self-service bagwell60 is nearly full thereby preventing the bread from being crushed. Moreover, a vertical support structure72 (seeFIGS. 1 and 5) mechanically couples the set-aside shelf70 to alower support surface74 of thebagwells60,62, which is in turn mechanically coupled to the input plate or tray of thesecurity scale68. Hence, in addition to monitoring placement and removal of items into and out of thebagwells60,62, thesecurity scale68 is also utilized to monitor placement and removal of items onto and off of the set-aside shelf70.

The set-aside shelf70 is movably secured to theterminal base34 so that a single shelf may be utilized by both retail personnel (when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation) and the customer (when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation). For example, the set-aside shelf70 may be secured to theterminal cabinet30 by use of a sliding rail assembly so as to allow theshelf70 to be slid between its assisted position (seeFIGS. 1,12, and13) and its self-service position (see FIGS.5 and15). Alternatively, the set-aside shelf70 may be secured to theterminal cabinet30 by use of ahinge assembly70a (seeFIGS. 3 and 5) so as to allow theshelf70 to be pivoted between its assisted position and its self-service position.

Moreover, the set-aside shelf70 selectively covers and exposes the respective overhead access openings of thebagwells60,62 as theshelf70 is moved between its assisted shelf position (seeFIGS. 1 and 13) or a self-service shelf position (see FIGS.5 and15). In particular, as shown inFIG. 13, the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 is exposed when the set-aside shelf70 is positioned in its assisted shelf position thereby allowing the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to advance an item in a substantially downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within the assistedbagwell62. However, as shown inFIG. 1, a portion of an overhead access opening60a associated with the self-service bagwell60 is covered when the set-aside shelf70 is positioned in its assisted shelf position.

Conversely, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 15, the overhead access opening60a associated with the self-service bagwell60 is exposed when the set-aside shelf70 is positioned in its self-service shelf position thereby allowing the customer operating thescanner24 to advance an item in a substantially downward direction into a grocery bag positioned within the self-service bagwell60. However, as shown inFIG. 15, the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 is covered when the set-aside shelf70 is positioned in its self-service shelf position.

As discussed above, thesecurity scale68 may be utilized to provide security to thecheckout system10 during operation thereof in either its self-service mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation. In particular, thesecurity scale68 is utilized to monitor the ingress and egress of items into and out of thepost-scan area18. More specifically, thesecurity scale68 is utilized to detect placement of items (1) into and out of thebagwells60,62, and (2) onto and off of the set-aside shelf70a. Such item movement monitoring may be utilized to determine if the customer is unintentionally or intentionally committing an impropriety such as theft. For example, a control signal is generated when thescanner24 successfully captures a product code associated with an item being entered into thecheckout system10. Thesecurity scale68 may be used to detect placement of an item into thepost-scan area18 prior to generation of the control signal thereby enabling detection of the situation in which an unscanned item has been placed into a grocery bag or onto the set-aside shelf70.

Moreover, when an item is scanned with thescanner24 and thereafter placed in thepost-scan area18, the detected weight of the item (as detected by the security scale68) may be compared to a known weight value of the item that is stored in a database in order to confirm that a different, more expensive item was not substituted for the scanned item. It should be appreciated that the database may be in the form of a master database which includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a “transaction level” database which is constructed locally at thecheckout system10 during operation thereof.

It should be appreciated that a number of security schemes utilizing thesecurity scale68 may be employed during operation of thecheckout system10 in both its self-service mode of operation and its assisted mode of operation. Examples of security schemes utilizing a security scale that is somewhat similar to thesecurity scale68 in a self-service checkout system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,642 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Sep. 14, 1999, along with copending U.S. Patent applications Ser. No. 08/990,241 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Placement and Item Removal During Operation of A Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Dec. 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Dusty Lutz; and Ser. No. 09/071,024 entitled “Method of Monitoring Item Stuffing in a Post-Scan Area of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on May 1, 1998, by Dusty Lutz, Chris Malchak, Tim Mason, Ali Vassigh. The disclosures of the above-identified issued patent along with each of the above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, and are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Thecheckout system10 also includes a pair of user interface terminals for receiving input from and providing information to a user. In particular, thecheckout system10 includes personnel interface terminal76 (seeFIG. 2) and an interactive customer interface terminal78 (see FIG.1). The personnel interface terminal76 includes adisplay monitor76a and akeypad76b (see FIG.23). Transaction information such as item price, item description, total amount of the transaction, instructions, etcetera is displayed to the checkout clerk via thedisplay monitor76a during operation of thecheckout system10 by the clerk. Moreover, the checkout clerk may manually enter retail information such as item codes and quantities into thecheckout system10 by use of thekeypad76b associated with thepersonnel interface terminal76. Thepersonnel interface terminal76 of the present invention may be embodied as a single, integrated device (as shown inFIG. 23) having both thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b, or alternatively, thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b may be embodied as separate components. One integrated terminal which is particularly useful as thepersonnel interface terminal76 of the present invention is a Dynakey terminal which is commercially available from NCR Corporation.

As discussed above, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is provided for use by the checkout clerk when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation. As shall be discussed below in more detail, the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is provided for use by customer when thecheckout system10 is being operated in both its assisted mode of operation and its self-service mode of operation. Accordingly, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is generally not utilized by the customer when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation.

Hence, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is secured to theterminal base34 in a manner which allows thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b to face the personnel side43 of thesystem10 at all times during operation of thecheckout system10. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is secured to aterminal support member80. Theterminal support member80 is pivotally secured to ascanner housing82 which houses thevertical scanning window24b of thescanner24. Such a mounting configuration allows the terminal support member80 (and hence the personnel interface terminal76) to rotate relative to the housing82 (and hence the scanner24). More specifically, as the scanner24 (and hence the housing82) is rotated between the assisted scanner position (seeFIG. 1) and the self-service scanner position (see FIG.5), the terminal support member80 (and hence the personnel interface terminal76) may be rotated relative to thehousing82 such that thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b face thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10 irrespective of whether thescanner24 is positioned in its assisted scanner position or its self-service scanner position.

Such a configuration in which thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b of the personnel interface terminal76 face thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10 irrespective of whether thescanner24 is positioned in its assisted scanner position or its self-service scanner position provides numerous advantages to thecheckout system10. For example, facing thekeypad76b away from the customer when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation prevents the customer from becoming confused by the presence of thekeypad76b thereby eliminating the possibility that the customer attempts to operate thepersonnel interface terminal76. Moreover, facing thekeypad76b away from the customer when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation reduces the number of components which are presented to the customer thereby reducing or eliminating any potential intimidation associated with first time performance of a self-service checkout transaction.

Yet further, facing thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b of the personnel interface terminal76 toward thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10 when thescanner24 is positioned in both its assisted scanner position and its self-service scanner position allows asurface80a of theterminal support member80 to face thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10. Thesurface80a may be utilized to display messages to the customer. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 24, a10laminated sign80b or the like may be secured to thesurface80a of theterminal support member80 with fasteners or the like (not shown) in order for the message printed on thesign80b to be displayed to the customer. Such a message may include an advertisement for a product or service offered by the retailer. Moreover, the retailer may sell the space on thelaminated sign80b to an outside company or business (e.g. a real estate agent or mortgage broker) in order to generate additional revenue. The message printed on thesign80b may alternatively, or in conjunction, include instructions which instruct the customer on operation of thecheckout system10.

As shown inFIG. 21, the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 includes adisplay monitor78a which is provided to display retail information to the customer during operation of thecheckout system10. For example, transaction information such as item price, item description, total amount of the transaction, instructions, etcetera is displayed to the customer via thedisplay monitor78a during operation of thecheckout system10 in either its assisted mode of operation or its self-service mode of operation. Moreover, instructions are displayed on thedisplay monitor78a which assist or otherwise guide the customer through operation of thecheckout system10. Such instructions are particularly useful when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation.

Moreover, customer-specific messages may be displayed to the customer on thedisplay monitor78a at certain times during a checkout transaction. What is meant herein by the term “customer-specific” is regard to messages is a retail message that is customized for a given customer based on the purchasing habits or other information that is unique to the customer. For example, a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous visit to the retailer's store. As shall be discussed below in greater detail, thecheckout system10 of the present invention is configured to retrieve information from a customer profile database which contains such information (e.g. previous purchases) about each of the retailers customers. Moreover, a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific advertisement that advertises a product which may be used in conjunction with a product that was previously scanned or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10 during the current checkout transaction. For example, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer that is included in the customer's items for purchase, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to the customer on thedisplay monitor78b since pretzels are commonly consumed with beer.

It should be appreciated that such customer-specific messages may also be communicated by other components associated with thecheckout system10. For example, customer-specific messages may be displayed to the checkout clerk via thedisplay monitor76a of the personnelinteractive terminal76. For instance, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer or other type of alcohol, a customer-specific message may displayed on thedisplay monitor76a which informs the checkout clerk that the customer is not old enough to purchase the beer or other type of alcohol. Similarly, customer-specific advertisement messages could be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a in order to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer in a personal manner by the checkout clerk.

Referring back to the discussion regarding the interactivecustomer interface terminal78, thedisplay monitor78a is preferably a known touch screen monitor which can generate data signals when certain areas of the screen are touched by a customer. Hence, thedisplay monitor78a may be utilized by the customer to input information into thecheckout system10. For example, the customer may manually enter retail information such as item codes and quantities into thecheckout system10 by use of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a. The customer may indicate his or her preferred method of payment (e.g. cash, credit, or debit card) by touching the appropriate area of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a. A portion of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a may also be utilized as a “help button” such that assistance is provided to the customer when it is touched by the customer.

Moreover, the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is preferably embodied as a stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is, in essence, a modified flat panel personal computer (PC) which includes a number of components commonly associated therewith such as aprocessing unit78b having amicroprocessor78c (seeFIG. 9) and a number ofmemory modules78d (seeFIG. 9) associated therewith, along with other commonly utilized PC components such as an Ethernet controller, a number of video and audio control devices, a storage memory device such as a hard drive device, and a number of connector ports for coupling theinterface terminal78 to a number of retail peripheral devices such as thescanner24 and theproduct scale26. Hence, in addition to displaying transaction information to the customer, the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 functions as the main processing device or controller for controlling operation of thecheckout system10. It should be appreciated that the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 may be embodied as any stand-alone, kiosk-type device which includes the aforedescribed components (e.g. a display monitor, PC, etcetera). One such stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is particularly useful as the interactive customer interface terminal of the present invention is an Informa model information terminal which is commercially available from NCR Corporation.

As shown inFIGS. 18-20, the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is movably secured to theupper surface36 of theterminal base34 by asupport arm assembly160. As shown inFIG. 18, thesupport arm assembly160 includes afirst support arm162 and asecond support arm164. Thesupport arm assembly160 is configured to allow the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to be pivoted relative to theupper surface36 of theterminal base34 along a pair of substantially-vertical pivot axes. In particular, thesupport arm162 is pivotally secured to theupper surface36 of theterminal base34 by a pivot joint166, whereas thesecond support arm164 is pivotally secured to thefirst support arm162 by apivot joint168.

The housing of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is secured to an end portion of thesecond support arm164. In particular, the end portion of thesecond support arm164 opposite the pivot joint168 has a mountingstructure170 secured thereto. The housing of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is bolted or otherwise fastened to the mountingstructure170 so as to secure the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to thesupport arm assembly160.

Such a configuration of thesupport arm assembly160 allows the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to be moved relative to theterminal base34 in a manner which maintains thedisplay monitor78b at a relatively constant distance from theupper surface34 of the terminal base. Moreover, such a configuration allows the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to be moved between a self-service position and an assisted position. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 19, during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, thesupport arm assembly160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to assume an assisted terminal position in which thedisplay monitor78a faces the general direction of thepayment area16. It should be appreciated that during an assisted checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the proximity of thepayment area16. Hence, by positioning thedisplay monitor78a in the position shown inFIG. 19 (i.e. an assisted monitor position), retail information, along with other messages such as customer-specific advertisements, may be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a for viewing by the customer while the checkout clerk enters the customer's items for purchase with thescanner24.

However, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 20, during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, thesupport arm assembly160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to assume a self-service terminal position in which thedisplay monitor78a faces the general direction of the area located in front of the self-service bagwell60. It should be appreciated that during a self-service checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the proximity of the area located in front of thebagwell60 in order to scan items with thescanner24 and thereafter place the items in grocery bags positioned in the self-service bagwell60. Hence, by positioning thedisplay monitor78a in the position shown inFIG. 20 (i.e. a self-service monitor position), retail information such as transaction information (e.g. product prices and descriptions), along with other messages such as instructional messages, may be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a for viewing by the customer while the customer enters his or her items for purchase with thescanner24.

As shown inFIG. 1, thecheckout system10 also includes a statuslight device84 and apaging device86. The statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 are provided in order to notify store personnel, such as a customer service manager, if intervention into the current checkout transaction is needed. In particular, if during operation of thecheckout system10, an intervention-needed activity is detected, the statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 are operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager. What is meant herein by the term “intervention-needed activity” is (1) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which thecheckout system10 is unintentionally operated improperly, (2) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which it can be inferred with a high degree of confidence that thecheckout system10 is intentionally operated improperly for illicit purposes such as theft, (3) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which the customer or retail personnel operates as input device associated with thecheckout system10 in a manner which indicates that he or she is in need of assistance, and (4) activity by the components associated with thecheckout system10 which has rendered the system in need of maintenance or other type of service.

Hence, an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity in which thecheckout system10 is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally), or a non-security-breach activity in which the customer or checkout clerk is in need of assistance or thecheckout system10 is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For example, if the customer attempted to scan an item a number of times with thescanner24, but the product identification code associated with the item was not read by thescanner24, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. Moreover, it should be appreciated that even if the product identification code associated with the item is entered, theprocessing unit78b may determine that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag (as detected by, for example, the security scale68), theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention needed activity has occurred. For further example, if the customer or checkout clerk attempts to weigh an item such as produce with theproduct scale26, but does not properly position the item on theproduct scale26 or has not properly ‘zeroed’ theproduct scale26, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

Yet further examples of intervention-needed activities may include (1) failure to surrender an item after the item has been voided, (2) weighing only a portion of an item (i.e. weighing only one banana, but placing four bananas into a grocery bag), and (3) placing an item into a grocery bag or onto the set-aside shelf70 without first attempting to scan or otherwise enter the item. Moreover, if the checkout clerk operating thesystem10 touches a particular key on thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 (see FIG.23), or the customer touches a particular portion of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a, thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

In addition, theprocessing unit78b may monitor the status of the retail peripheral devices associated with thecheckout system10 in order to determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the currency level within thecoin dispenser48 and thebill dispenser52 in order to determine if eithercurrency dispenser48,52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the paper supply level within thereceipt printer54 and a journal printer88 (seeFIG. 9) in order to determine if eitherprinter54,88 is in need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 or theprinters54,88 is in need of restocking, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

It should be appreciated that although numerous examples of intervention-needed activities have herein been described, numerous other types of intervention-needed activities may exist, as defined by a particular retailer or provided by a particular design of thecheckout system10. Further examples of intervention-needed activities, along with a number of mechanisms and methods for detecting occurrence thereof, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,642 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Sep. 14, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,784 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Security for a Self-Service Checkout Station” by Joanne Walter and Tracy Flynn, which was issued on May 5, 1998; along with copending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 081895,084 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Verifying Identity of an Item Being Checked Out Through a Retail Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Jul. 16, 1997, by Joanne Walter; Ser. No. 08/910,702 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Resetting a Product Scale of a Retail Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Aug. 13, 1997, by Dusty Lutz; Ser. No. 08/939,868 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Security to a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Sep. 29, 1997, by John Addy and Jim Morrison; Ser. No. 081991,060 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Reducing Shrinkage During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Dec. 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Joanne Walter; Ser. No. 08/990,241 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Placement and Item Removal During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Dec. 15, 1997, by Jim Morrison and Dusty Lutz; Ser. No. 09/020,057 entitled “Method for Enhancing Security and Providing Assistance in the Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Feb. 06, 1998, by Ali Vassigh and Joanne Walter; Ser. No. 09/020,056 entitled “Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Feb. 06, 1998, by Stephen Swaine, Ali Vassigh, and Grant Paton; and Ser. No. 09/019,880 entitled “Method of Enhancing Security in a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” which was filed on Feb. 06, 1998, by John Addy and Marc Lynn. The disclosures of each of the above-identified issued patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, and are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been detected, the statuslight device84 is operated to summon retail personnel. For example, the statuslight device84 may display a first colored light in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the statuslight device84 may display a second colored light in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed immediately.

As with the statuslight device84, thepaging device86 is utilized to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10 once an intervention-needed activity has be detected. Thepaging device86 is particularly useful since, it is operable to communicate with retail personnel who may be positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out of the view of the statuslight device84. In particular, thepaging device86 includes asignal transmitter86a which may include any one of numerous known signal transmitters or transceivers such as a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter. One such signal transmitter which is particularly useful as thesignal transmitter86a of the present invention is a model number 1200B Transmitter which is commercially available from Scope, Incorporated of Great Britain.

As shown inFIG. 22, thesignal transmitter86a is configured to communicate with a number of portable communication devices such as wirelessalphanumeric pagers90. In particular, thesignal transmitter86a is configured to communicate to thepagers90 at a predetermined frequency (e.g. 450 MHz) in order to transmit alphanumeric messages to retail personnel wearing thepagers90. Hence, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an intervention-needed control signal causes thesignal transmitter86a to generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thepagers90. The personnel-request signal includes a specific alphanumeric message that includes such information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 which requires assistance. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which causes a message to be displayed on one of thepagers90 which informs the customer service manager wearing thepager90 that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 22, thesignal transmitter86a is configured to communicate with an audible message generating device such as anintercom device92 having anRF signal receiver92a, a number ofspeakers92b, and acontroller92c associated therewith. Thespeakers92b associated with theintercom device92 are located within the ceilings or other locations throughout the retailer's store. Thesignal transmitter86a of thepaging device86 is also configured to communicate with thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92 at a predetermined frequency (e.g. 450 MHz) in order to generate audible messages which are broadcast to retail personnel within the store with thespeakers92b. In particular, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an intervention-needed control signal causes thesignal transmitter86a to generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92. The personnel-request signal includes a specific code which corresponds to a number of specific, prerecorded audible messages stored in, or otherwise maintained by, thecontroller92c of theintercom device92. For example, each of the prerecorded messages may include such information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 which requires assistance. Thecontroller92c causes such prerecorded audible messages to be broadcast with thespeakers92b so as to be audibly detected by retail personnel such as a customer service manager within the retailer's store. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which, once received by thesignal receiver92a, causes an audible message to be broadcast on thespeakers92b which informs the customer service manager that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

It should be appreciated that use of thesignal transmitter86a in conjunction with theintercom device92 provides thecheckout system10 of the present invention with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, a number of retail stores currently include an intercom device similar to theintercom device92 of the present invention. In particular, intercom devices having a controller for playing a number of specific, prerecorded messages are installed in a number of retail stores. However, in order to broadcast a specific message with the speakers associated with the intercom device, the specific code corresponding to the audible message must be manually entered by retail personnel or the customer by use of a dedicated keypad or the like. Hence, by providing for the input of the specific codes corresponding to the various audible messages by use of thesignal transmitter86a and thesignal receiver92a, thecheckout system10 itself can actuate theintercom device92 without manual entry of the specific code by the customer or retail personnel. Utilization and/or retrofit of an existing intercom device reduces the costs associated with implementation of thecheckout system10 thereby increasing the appeal of thesystem10 to retailers.

TheRF transmitter86a of thepaging device86 has abroadcast antenna86b associated therewith. Thebroadcast antenna86b is secured to a support structure associated with the statuslight device84. In particular, as shown inFIG. 1, the statuslight device84 includes alamp assembly84a secured atop apole84b. Thebroadcast antenna86b is fastened or otherwise secured to thepole84b. Alternatively, thepole84b may be constructed of a material which would allow thepole84b itself to function as thebroadcast antenna86b. It should be appreciated that securing thebroadcast antenna86b to thepole84b (or integrating theantenna86b with thepole84b, as described above) provides numerous advantages. For example, by securing thebroadcast antenna86b to thepole84b, a relatively long antenna may be utilized without the risk of theantenna86b being accidentally damaged by, for example, retail personnel or the customer. It should be appreciated that utilization of a relatively long antenna is useful for increasing the transmission range of theRF transmitter86a.

Thecheckout system10 also has avideo system94. Thevideo system94 includes a video camera such as adigital video camera94a (see FIG.1). The video system is included to provide security during operation of thecheckout system10. In particular, at the commencement of a checkout transaction, thevideo camera94a is operated so as to capture a video image of the user (e.g. the customer or the checkout clerk) who is operating thecheckout system10. In a known manner, the captured video image of the customer is then stored in an electronic video file by theprocessing unit78b. A subsequent video image (which is representative of the captured video image) may then be extracted from the electronic video file for use by thecheckout system10. For example, in the case of when thecheckout system10 is being operated in the self-service mode of operation, the extracted video image of the customer may be displayed on a portion of thedisplay monitor78a associated with the interactivecustomer interface terminal78. Hence, as the customer is entering his or her items for purchase with thescanner24, a video image of himself or herself is displayed on thedisplay monitor78a. It should be appreciated that displaying a video image of the customer serves as a psychological deterrent to the customer in regard to the commission of an impropriety such as theft. In particular, the customer is less likely to commit an impropriety such as theft once the customer realizes that thecheckout system10 has captured a video image himself or herself. Similarly, a video image of the checkout clerk could be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a of the personnel interface terminal76 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent to the checkout clerk against “sweethearting” or other improprieties.

Moreover, in the case of when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation, the extracted video image of the customer may be printed with thereceipt printer54. In particular, once the customer has tendered payment for his or her items for purchase, atransaction receipt96 is printed for the customer with thereceipt printer54. As shown inFIG. 14, thetransaction receipt96 printed by thereceipt printer54 preferably includestransaction information96a associated with the customer's checkout transaction such as a list including the description and price of each item purchased along with the total cost of the transaction. Moreover, a rendition of the extractedvideo image96b of the customer is also printed on the bottom portion of the transaction receipt. Hence, as the customer is entering his or her items for purchase with thescanner24, a video image of the customer is captured and then later printed on the bottom portion of the customer'stransaction receipt96. It should be appreciated that printing an image of the customer serves as a psychological deterrent to the customer in regard to the commission of an impropriety such as theft. In particular, the customer is less likely to commit an impropriety such as theft once the customer realizes that thecheckout system10 has captured a video image himself or herself. Similarly, a video image of the checkout clerk could be printed with thereceipt printer54 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent against “sweethearting” or other improprieties.

Moreover, thevideo system94 may be utilized to capture and thereafter store video images associated with other portions of thecheckout system10. For example, thevideo camera94a of thevideo system94 may be utilized to capture video images associated with one or more of the grocery bags within thebagwells60,62. The video images associated with the grocery bags may then be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a. Displaying the contents of the customer's grocery bag also serves as a psychological deterrent to the customer since the customer is less likely to insert unscanned or otherwise unentered items (or substituted items) once the customer realizes that thecheckout system10 has captured a video image or the customer's grocery bags.

Yet further, thevideo system94 may be utilized to capture and thereafter store video images associated with a shopping receptacle in order to reduce the number of items which are intentionally or unintentionally taken from the retailer's store without having first been entered into the checkout system10 (and hence paid for). In particular, as shown inFIG. 16, thevideo camera94a of thevideo system94 may be utilized to capture a video image of ashopping cart238 or ashopping basket240. In a known manner, the captured video image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is then stored in an electronic video file by theprocessing unit78b.

The electronic video file of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is then compared to a reference electronic video file in order to determine if theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty). In particular, a reference video image of an empty shopping cart or shopping basket is stored as a reference electronic video file in either a local memory device associated with the checkout system (e.g. memory modules or a hard drive) or on a network memory device associated with the retailer's network. In any event, the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is compared to the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket. If the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 matches the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, then thecheckout system10 concludes that thecustomers shopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty). However, if the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 does not match the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, then thecheckout system10 concludes that the customer'sshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 has items remaining therein.

What is meant herein by the terms “match”, “matches”, or “matching” in regard to electronic video files is that a first electronic video file is determined to be the same as or within a predetermined tolerance range of a second electronic video file. Hence, the electronic video files associated with the captured images of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 match the respective reference electronic video file if they are determined to be the same or within a predetermined tolerance range of the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket.

Referring now toFIG. 9, there is shown a simplified block diagram of thecheckout system10. In addition to thedisplay monitor78a, theprocessing unit78b of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 is electrically coupled to thescanner24, theproduct scale26, theelectronic payment terminal44, thecoin acceptor46, thebill acceptor50, thecoin dispenser48, thebill dispenser52, thereceipt printer54, thesecurity scale68, thepersonnel interface terminal76, the statuslight device84, thepaging device86, thejournal printer88, theitem sensors98,100, theinput belt mechanism20, and thesecurity deactivation device172. Theprocessing unit78b is also electrically coupled to asignature capture device102, alane light104, and asupervisor switch106.

Theprocessing unit78b monitors output signals generated by the assembly of thescanner24 andproduct scale26 via a serial data communication line114 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). In particular, when the customer scans an item which includes a product identification code across thescanning windows24a,24b, an output signal indicative of the product identification code is generated on thedata communication line114. Similarly, when a customer places an item on theproduct scale26, theproduct scale26 generates an output signal on thedata communication line114 which is indicative of the weight of the item.

Theprocessing unit78b is electrically coupled to thedigital video camera94a via a parallel data communication line116 (e.g. a parallel data cable). Theprocessing unit78b generates control signals on thecommunication line116 which cause thedigital video camera94a to capture video images of the customer, the checkout clerk, a portion of thecheckout system10, theshopping cart238 orbasket240, etcetera, in order to enhance security during operation of thesystem10. A data stream representative of such captured video images is then communicated to theprocessing unit78b via thecommunication line116 for processing thereof. In particular, such captured video images may be stored in the memory devices associated with theprocessing unit78b for future use by, as described above, printing a rendition of a captured video image of the customer on the customer's transaction receipt96 (seeFIG. 14) or displaying a video image of the customer or the customer's grocery bags on the display monitors78a or76a.

Thecheckout system10 also includes a number ofport expander devices108,110. Theport expander devices108,110 may be any known port expander device which enables a number of communication lines (e.g. data cables) to be connected to a single port of a controller (e.g. the connector ports associated with the interactive customer interface terminal78). Moreover, theport expander devices108,110 of the present invention preferably allow more than one interface type. For example, theport expander devices108,110 of the present invention are preferably coupled to theprocessing unit78b of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, but are coupled to certain retail peripheral devices (e.g. theelectronic payment terminal44, thecash dispenser52, or the security scale68) via an RS-232 serial interface. Such a configuration is particularly useful since commercially available retail devices are typically configured to communicate with a controller via an RS-232 serial interface thereby allowing thecheckout system10 to be configured with “industry standard” retail peripheral devices as opposed to more expensive, proprietary devices. It should be appreciated that in addition to USB/RS-232 port expander devices, other types of port expander devices may also be utilized in the present invention. For example, port expander devices which are coupled to theprocessing unit78b via an Ethernet interface (i.e. an Ethernet/RS-232 port expander device) may also be utilized in the present invention.

As utilized in construction of thecheckout system10, theport expander devices108,110 facilitate the coupling of a number of retail peripheral devices associated with thesystem10 to theprocessing unit78b of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78. In particular, aUSB port110a of theport expander device110 is coupled to a firstUSB data port78e of theprocessing unit78b via a USB communication line112 (e.g. a USB data cable).

Aserial port54a of thereceipt printer54 is coupled to a firstserial port110b of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line118 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thereceipt printer54 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line118. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thereceipt printer54 in order to generate transaction receipts at the completion of a checkout transaction. Thereceipt printer54 may be embodied as any type of ink-jet, laser, dot-matrix, LED, or thermal printer which is capable of printing the alphanumeric characters associated withtransaction information96a on the transaction receipt96 (see FIG.14), along with certain graphical representations associated with the rendition of the extractedvideo image96b of the customer (seeFIG. 14) when thecheckout system10 is configured to print such a rendition on thetransaction receipt96.

Aserial port44a of theelectronic payment terminal44 is coupled to a secondserial port110c of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line120 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with theelectronic payment terminal44 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line120. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with theelectronic payment terminal44 in order to allow a customer to electronically tender payment for his or her items for purchase via, for example, a debit, credit, or smart card. In particular, as described above, theelectronic payment terminal44 includes a card reader and in input device such as a keypad. The keypad associated with theelectronic payment terminal44 may include one or more of a known keypad or a touch pad, whereas the card reader may include a known credit, debit, loyalty, and/or smart card reader which is capable of reading information stored on the customers card. Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with the electronic payment terminal in order to receive data read from the customers card or codes such as PIN numbers which are input by the customer via use of the keypad.

Aserial port68a of thesecurity scale68 is coupled to a thirdserial port110d of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line122 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesecurity scale68 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line122. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesecurity scale68 in order to (1) monitor the placement of items into, or the removal of items from, the self-service bagwell60 and the assistedbagwell62, and (2) the placement of items onto, and the removal of items off of, the set-aside shelf70. In particular, when an item is placed into one of the grocery bags within thebagwells60,62 or onto the set-aside shelf70, thesecurity scale68 generates an output signal indicative of the weight of the item which is communicated to theprocessing unit78b. Similarly, when an item is removed from one of the grocery bags within thebagwells60,62 or from the set-aside shelf70, thesecurity scale68 generates an output signal indicative of the weight of the removed item which is communicated to theprocessing unit78b.

Aserial port102a of thesignature capture device102 is coupled to a fourthserial port110e of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line124 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesignature capture device102 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line124. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesignature capture device102 in order to create an electronic record of a customer's signature during a credit transaction. In particular, thesignature capture device102 may include any known signature capture device which is capable of generating an electronic representation of a customer's signature when the customer signs his or her name with a pen, stylus, or other writing instrument associated with thesignature capture device102. Capturing a customer's signature with asignature capture device102 generally causes the retailer to be charged a smaller transaction fee for the credit card transaction from the bank or other financial institution which issued the customer's card. Such lower transaction fees are particularly beneficial in the retail grocery business due to the relatively small profit margins associated with such a business.

Aserial port86c of thepaging device86 is coupled to a fifthserial port110f of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line126 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thepaging device86 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line126. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thepaging device86 in order to generate RF signals which are received by either the wirelessalphanumeric pagers90 or theRF signal receiver92 associated with the store'sintercom device92. As described above, such RF communications allows retail personnel to be summoned to thecheckout system10 in order to provide assistance and/or security during operation of thecheckout system10.

Aserial port88a of thejournal printer88 is coupled to a sixthserial port110g of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line128 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thejournal printer88 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line128. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thejournal printer88 in order to generate a journal or printer record of each checkout transaction performed by thecheckout system10. Thejournal printer88 may be embodied as any type of ink-jet, laser, dot-matrix, LED, or thermal printer which is capable of printing a record of the checkout transactions performed on thesystem10. Preferably, thejournal printer88 is configured to print such a record on “roll-type” paper so as to facilitate collection of the record.

Aserial port172a of thesecurity deactivation device172 is coupled to a seventhserial port110h of theport expander device110 via a serial communication line174 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesecurity deactivation device172 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line112, theport expander device110, and theserial communication line174. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates wit thesecurity deactivation device172 in order to generate a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic or electromagnetic field) which deactivates electronic security tags associated with an EAS system. As described above, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to continuously generate a deactivation field, or alternatively, theprocessing unit78b may communicate with thesecurity deactivation device172 to selectively generate the deactivation field in response to capture of the product code associated with an item being scanned or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10.

Similarly to theport expander device110, theport expander device108 is utilized to facilitate communication between theprocessing unit78b and a number of retail peripheral devices. In particular, aUSB port108a of theport expander device108 is coupled to a secondUSB data port78f of theprocessing unit78b via a USB communication line138 (e.g. a USB data cable).

Aserial port48a of thecoin dispenser48 is coupled to a firstserial port108b of theport expander device108 via a serial communication line130 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoin dispenser48 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line138, theport expander device108, and theserial communication line130. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoin dispenser48 in order to dispense change in the form of coins to a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer is owed change in the form of coins during finalization of a checkout transaction, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal indicative of the amount of change in the form of coins that is owed the customer. Such an output signal is communicated to thecoin dispenser48 thereby causing thecoin dispenser48 to dispense the correct amount of change in the form of coins to the customer.

Aserial port46a of thecoin acceptor46 is coupled to a secondserial port108c of theport expander device108 via a serial communication line132 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoin acceptor46 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line138, theport expander device108, and theserial communication line132. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoin acceptor46 in order to accept coins from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts coins into thecoin acceptor46 during finalization of a checkout transaction, thecoin acceptor46 generates an output signal indicative of the value of each coin which is inserted into thecoin acceptor46. Such an output signal is communicated to theprocessing unit78b in order to determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of currency to tender payment for his or her items for purchase.

Aserial port52a of thebill dispenser52 is coupled to a thirdserial port108d of theport expander device108 via a serial communication line134 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thebill dispenser52 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line138, theport expander device108, and theserial communication line134. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thebill dispenser52 in order to dispense change in the form of bills to a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer is owed change in the form of bills during finalization of a checkout transaction, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal indicative of the amount of change in the form of bills that is owed the customer. Such an output signal is communicated to thebill dispenser52 thereby causing thebill dispenser52 to dispense the correct amount of change in the form of bills to the customer.

Aserial port50a of thebill acceptor50 is coupled to a fourthserial port108e of theport expander device108 via a serial communication line136 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thebill acceptor50 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line138, theport expander device108, and theserial communication line136. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thebill acceptor50 in order to accept bills from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts bills into thebill acceptor50 during finalization of a checkout transaction, thebill acceptor50 generates an output signal indicative of the value of each bill that is inserted into thebill acceptor50. Such an output signal is communicated to theprocessing unit78b in order to determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of currency to tender payment for his or her items for purchase.

It should be appreciated that use of theport expander devices108,110 provides thecheckout system10 of the present invention with numerous advantages over heretofore checkout systems. For example, use of theport expander devices108,110 allows theprocessing unit78b associated with the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to be configured with a relatively small number of output connectors. For example, if not for use of theport expander devices108,110, a connector would have to be provided on theprocessing unit78b for each of the components which are coupled to theport expander devices108,110 inFIG. 9 in order to couple the components directly to the output connectors of theprocessing unit78b. Such a requirement for additional connector/port capacity would undesirably increase the size and cost of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78.

In addition to reducing the number of output connectors that must be provided on theprocessing unit78b, use of theport expander devices108,110 also simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable management of thecheckout system10. In particular, theport expander devices108,110 are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to whichport expander devices108,110 are coupled thereby reducing the distance across which the individual serial cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount theport expander device108,110 within the sameterminal cabinet28,30,32 in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to theport expander devices108,110 are disposed.

In a specific example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 9, theport expander device108 is secured within theterminal cabinet32 so as to be located in relatively close proximity to thecoin dispenser48, thecoin acceptor46, thebill dispenser52, and thebill acceptor50. In such a configuration, the serial cables respectively associated with each of thecurrency devices46,48,50,52 (i.e. theserial communication lines130,132,134,136, respectively) are completely contained within theterminal cabinet32. What is meant herein by the term “completely contained” in regard to cables is that the entire cable is positioned within a structure (e.g. one of theterminal cabinets28,30,32) such that no portion of cable extends out of the structure. Hence, in regard to theport expander device108, only the USB cable (i.e. the USB communication line138) must be routed outside of theterminal cabinet32. In particular, a first end connector of the cable associated with theUSB communication line138 is secured to thesecond USB port78f of theprocessing unit78b, whereas a second end connector of the cable associated with theUSB communication line138 is secured to theUSB port108a of theport expander device108. Hence, a central portion of the cable associated with theUSB communication line138 is routed or otherwise extends between theterminal cabinet30 and theterminal cabinet32. However, the USB cable associated with theUSB communication line138 is the only cable associated with thecurrency devices46,48,50,52 that extends out of theterminal cabinet32.

It should be appreciated that theport expander device110 may positioned in a similar manner. For example, theport expander device110 may be positioned within theterminal cabinet30 in order to be located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which theport expander device110 is coupled (e.g. thesecurity scale68 or the electronic payment device44).

Moreover, it should also be appreciated that any number of port expander devices, or configurations thereof, may be utilized in conjunction with the concepts of the present invention in order to provide for use of additional retail peripheral devices or to further enhance the cable management of thecheckout system10. For example, although the assembly of thescanner24 and theproduct scale26 is shown in FIG.9 and described herein as being directly coupled to a serial port of theprocessing unit78b, the assembly of thescanner24 and theproduct scale26 could alternatively be coupled to an available serial port associated with theport expander device110 thereby eliminating the need to route the serial cable associated with the assembly of thescanner24 and the product scale26 (i.e. the serial communication line114) all the way back to theprocessing unit78b.

Theprocessing unit78b of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 also controls operation of a number of components associated with thecheckout system10 which are not controlled via use of a standard communication protocol (e.g. RS-232). In particular, a number of components associated with thecheckout system10 are “on-off” devices such as thelane light104, thelamp assembly84a associated with the statuslight device84, and the motor (not shown) associated with theinput belt mechanism20. Thecheckout system10 further includes aninterface unit140 for interfacing with such devices. In particular, theinterface unit140 interfaces with theinput belt mechanism20, thelamp assembly84a of the statuslight device84, theitem sensors98,100, thelane light104, and thesupervisor switch106. As shown inFIG. 9, theinterface unit140 is coupled to a serial port associated with theprocessing unit78b via a serial communication line142 (e.g. a serial cable).

Theinput belt mechanism20 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via acontrol line144. Hence, theprocessing unit78b controls operation of theinput belt mechanism20 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thecontrol line144. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b controls actuation of the motor (not shown) associated with theinput belt mechanism20 so as to control advancement of theinput belt22. In particular, as described above, theinput belt mechanism20 may be actuated when placement of an item onto theinput belt22 is detected by theupstream item sensor98 thereby causing the item to be moved in a downstream direction toward thescanner24. Thereafter, theinput belt mechanism20 is deactuated when arrival of the item at a predetermined location at thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22 is detected by thedownstream item sensor100. Moreover, advancement of theinput belt22 may be manually controlled by retail personnel or a customer via use of the key pad associated with the personnel interface terminal76 (in the case of control by retail personnel) or the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a of the interactive customer interface terminal78 (in the case of control by the customer). In the case of such manual advancement of theinput belt22, theprocessing unit78b selectively generates output signals which selectively cause actuation and deactuation of theinput belt mechanism20.

Theinput belt mechanism20 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via acontrol line144. Hence, theprocessing unit78b controls operation of theinput belt mechanism20 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thecontrol line144. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b controls actuation of the motor (not shown) associated with theinput belt mechanism20 so as to control advancement of theinput belt22. In particular, as described above, theinput belt mechanism20 may be actuated when placement of an item onto theinput belt22 is detected by theupstream item sensor98 thereby causing the item to be moved in a downstream direction toward thescanner24. Thereafter, theinput belt mechanism20 is deactuated when arrival of the item at a predetermined location at thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22 is detected by thedownstream item sensor100. Moreover, advancement of theinput belt22 may be manually controlled by retail personnel or a customer via use of the key pad associated with the personnel interface terminal76 (in the case of control by retail personnel) or the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a of the interactive customer interface terminal78 (in the case of control by the customer). In the case of such manual advancement of theinput belt22, theprocessing unit78b selectively generates output signals which selectively cause actuation and deactuation of theinput belt mechanism20.

Thelamp assembly84a of the statuslight device84 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via acontrol line146. Hence, theprocessing unit78b controls operation of theinput belt mechanism20 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thecontrol line146. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b controls actuation of the lamps associated with thelamp assembly84a. In particular, as described above, thelamp assembly84a is utilized to summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10 in order to provide assistance and/or security during operation of thesystem10. Accordingly, theprocessing unit78b may cause a red lamp associated with thelamp assembly84a to be illuminated when intervention by retail personnel is needed immediately, whereas a yellow lamp may be illuminated when intervention is not needed until the end of the customer's transaction. Similarly, a green lamp may be illuminated when thecheckout system10 is being operated properly without the need for intervention by retail personnel.

Theupstream item sensor98 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via asignal line148. Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with theupstream item sensor98 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thesignal line148. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b determines when the customer places an item for purchase on theinput belt22. In particular, as described above, theupstream item sensor98 is preferably embodied as a photodetector device which generates a light beam which is emitted across theupstream end portion22a of theinput belt22. Theupstream item sensor98 generates an output signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b when the light beam is interrupted by an item being placed on theinput belt22 by a customer.

Thedownstream item sensor100 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via asignal line150. Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thedownstream item sensor100 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thesignal line150. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b determines when an item that is being advanced toward thescanner24 by theinput belt mechanism22 has been advanced to a predetermined location on thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22. In particular, as described above, thedownstream item sensor98 is preferably embodied as a photodetector device which generates a light beam which is emitted across thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22. Thedownstream item sensor100 generates an output signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b when the light beam is interrupted by an item being advanced on theinput belt22 once the item has been advanced to the predetermined location on thedownstream end portion22b of theinput belt22.

Thelane light104 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via acontrol line152. Hence, theprocessing unit78b controls operation of thelane light104 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thecontrol line152. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b controls actuation of the lamps associated with thelane light104. Thelane light104 is utilized to communicate the lane number associated with a givencheckout system10 to retail personnel or customers. In particular, when a particular lamp associated with thelane light104 is illuminated, the lane number associated with the givencheckout system10 is displayed. Such illumination also communicates that thecheckout system10 is “open” (i.e. available for use by the customer). Moreover, thelane light104 is also configured to have lamp assemblies which, when illuminated, display a message such as “SELF-SERVICE” if thecheckout system10 is configured in its self-service mode of operation, or alternatively, to display a message such as “ASSISTED” or “FULL-SERVICED” if thecheckout system10 is configured in its assisted mode of operation.

Thesupervisor switch106 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via asignal line154. Hence, theprocessing unit78b monitors output from thesupervisor switch106 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thesignal line154. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b determines whether to operate thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation. In particular, retail personnel such as a customer service manager toggles thesupervisor switch106 during a changeover procedure associated with changing thecheckout system10 between its self-service mode of operation and its assisted mode of operation. It should be appreciated that the operating system software executed by theprocessing unit78b may have certain features which are selectively enabled or disabled based on whether thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation.

Theprocessing unit78b communicates with the personnel interface terminal76 through a data communication line156 (i.e. a data cable). Theprocessing unit78b generates output signals on thedata communication line156 which cause instructional messages and transaction information to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a (seeFIG. 23) of thepersonnel interface terminal76. Moreover, data signals generated by thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 are transmitted to theprocessing unit78b via thecommunication line156 when retail personnel touches a particular key associated with thekeypad76b.

Theprocessing unit78b communicates with thedisplay monitor78a associated with the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 through aninternal data bus158. Theprocessing unit78b generates output signals on thedata bus158 which cause various messages such as transaction information, instructions, or advertisements to be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a. As alluded to above, thedisplay monitor78a may include known touch screen technology which can generate output signals when the customer touches a particular area of the display screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a. The signals generated by thedisplay monitor78a are transmitted to theprocessing unit78b via thedata bus158.

Theprocessing unit78b may also be utilized to control additional system components associated with various configurations of thecheckout system10. For example, the motor (not shown) associated with thetakeaway belt mechanism56 may be controlled by theprocessing unit78b in a similar manner similar to the motor (not shown) associated with theinput belt mechanism20. In particular, thetakeaway belt mechanism56 is coupled to theinterface unit140 via acontrol line176. Hence, theprocessing unit78b controls operation of thetakeaway belt mechanism56 via a data path that includes theserial communication line142, theinterface unit140, and thecontrol line176. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b controls actuation of the motor (not shown) associated with thetakeaway belt mechanism56 so as to control advancement of thetakeaway belt58. In particular, as described above, thetakeaway belt mechanism56 may be actuated in order to advance items which have been scanned or otherwise entered from theitemization area14 to the baggingcounter66.

Moreover, thepayment area16 of thecheckout system10 may be configured with a coupon acceptor178 (seeFIGS. 1,5, and9). Thecoupon acceptor178 is provided to allow a customer to tender coupons, vouchers, or the like during operation of thecheckout system10. As shown inFIG. 9, aserial port178a of thecoupon acceptor178 is coupled to a fifthserial port108f of theport expander device108 via a serial communication line180 (e.g. an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoupon acceptor178 via a data path that includes theUSB communication line138, theport expander device108, and theserial communication line180. In such a manner, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thecoupon acceptor178 in order to accept coupons from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts coupons into thecoupon acceptor178 during finalization of a checkout transaction, thecoupon acceptor178 generates an output signal indicative of the presence of the tendered coupon. Such an output signal is communicated to theprocessing unit78b in order to confirm that the coupon has been tendered. It should be appreciated that thecoupon acceptor178 may be equipped with a bar code reader or the like to capture machine readable indicia that is printed on certain coupons.

Moreover, thecheckout system10 may also be configured to include a cash drawer for allowing the checkout clerk to receive payment from the customer. In such a configuration, the cash drawer would also be under control of theprocessing unit78b such that the solenoids and the like utilized to open the cash drawer are actuated by control signals from theprocessing unit78b.

Theprocessing unit78b includes network circuitry (not shown) which conventionally permits thecheckout system10 to communicate with the retailer'snetwork184 such as a LAN or WAN through a wired connection182 (see FIG.9). Theprocessing unit78b communicates with the retailer'snetwork184 during the checkout procedure in order to obtain information, such as pricing information, associated with an item being scanned or otherwise entered, and also to verify customer credit approval when appropriate. The network interface circuitry associated with thecheckout system10 may include a known Ethernet expansion card, and thewired connection182 may include a known twisted-pair communication line. Alternatively, the network interface circuitry may support wireless communications with the retailer'snetwork184.

Theprocessing unit78b also communicates with the retailer'snetwork184 in order to access a customer profile database maintained in a network memory device such as a network mass storage device (not shown) associated with a network central server (not shown). The customer profile database includes unique, customer-specific retail information associated with each of the retailer's customers. For example, when a customer initially applies or otherwise registers for his or her loyalty card, customer-specific retail information such as name, address, gender, age, account numbers, or other demographic information is generally collected on the customer's application. Such customer-specific retail information is included in the customer's profile within the customer profile database. Moreover, the customer's profile within the customer profile database may also include customer-specific retail information such as the customers shopping or purchasing history. For example, a record of the items purchased during recent visits to the retailer's store may be included in the customers profile. Moreover, a record may also be made to the customers profile if the customer redeems a certain type of voucher or coupons or responds to a certain type of promotion.

As discussed above, contents of the customer profile database are utilized in order to generate customer-specific messages to the customer during a checkout transaction. In particular, while the checkout clerk is entering the customers items for purchase during an assisted checkout transaction, transaction information such as item price and total dollar amount are displayed on thedisplay monitor78a. In addition to such transaction information, customer-specific advertisements may be displayed on a portion of thedisplay monitor78a in order to influence the customer to buy additional items. For example, the customer profile associated with a given customer may be initially retrieved from the customer profile database. Thereafter, theprocessing unit78b causes customer-specific advertisements to be displayed on thedisplay monitor78b based on the contents of the customer's profile. For example, if the customer profile of a given customer indicates that the customer buys a certain type of beer during each of his or her visits to the retailer's store, theprocessing unit78b may cause an advertisement for the certain type of beer to be displayed on thedisplay monitor78b in order to entice the customer to buy beer if the checkout clerk has not yet entered beer into thecheckout system10. It should be appreciated that any type of criteria may be established to fit the needs of given retailer in regard to analyzing the contents of the customer profile database for the purposes of selecting an appropriate customer-specific advertisement message. Moreover, as discussed above, the customer-specific message may also be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a of the personnel interface terminal76 so that such a message may be viewed by the checkout clerk.

As discussed above, theprocessing unit78b preferably includes a number of local memory devices such as thememory modules78d (seeFIG. 9) and a hard drive. The local memory devices are provided to maintain the operating system software needed to operate thecheckout system10. In addition, the local memory devices are provided to maintain an electronic transaction table which includes a record of the product information associated with each item that is scanned, weighed, or otherwise entered during the user's operation of thecheckout system10. For example, if the user scans a can of soup, the description of the soup and the pricing information associated therewith is recorded in the transaction table in the local memory devices. Similarly, if the user weighs a watermelon with theproduct scale26 and then enters a product lookup code associated with watermelon via a data input device such as theterminals76,78, product information associated with the watermelon is recorded in the transaction table. Moreover, if a user entered a coupon or voucher, the information associated therewith would also be recorded in the transaction table.

It should therefore be appreciated that the sum of each of the items recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g. coupons), and (2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table is printed out on thereceipt printer54 thereby generating a receipt for the customer at the end of his or her transaction.

The local memory devices are also provided to maintain a number of electronic logs associated with operation of thecheckout system10. More specifically, the local memory devices electronically maintain a number of event logs each of which respectively tracks or otherwise tallies the number of occasions in which the user operates thecheckout system10 in a particular manner. An event log may be provided to track those occasions in which the user unintentionally operated thecheckout system10 improperly, along with those occasions in which it can be inferred with a high degree of confidence that the user intentionally operated thecheckout system10 improperly for illicit purposes such as theft. For example, if theprocessing unit78b determines that the user placed an item into thepost-scan area18 without having previously scanned or otherwise entered the item into thesystem10, an entry is made in an event log corresponding to such activity. This is true since the user may have unintentionally operated thescanner24 incorrectly thereby preventing thescanner24 from reading the bar code printed on the item. However, the possibility does exist that the user may have intentionally prevented thescanner24 from reading the bar code printed on the item (e.g. the user may have placed his or her thumb over the bar code during the scanning attempt). Therefore, an entry is made in an event log corresponding to such activity (i.e. placing an item in thepost-scan area18 without having first entered the item into the system10).

Moreover, a separate event log may be maintained to track those occasions in which a user does not properly correct a prior misuse of thesystem10. For example, if theprocessing unit78b determines that the user placed an item into thepost-scan area18 without having previously scanned or otherwise entered the item into thesystem10 in the manner discussed above, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a of the personnel interface terminal76 (in the case of operation of thesystem10 by a checkout clerk) or thedisplay monitor78a of the interactive customer interface terminal78 (in the case of operation of thesystem10 by a customer) which instructs the user (i.e. the checkout clerk or the customer) to remove the item from thepost-scan area18 and thereafter properly enter the item. A separate even log is maintained in order to track the number of occasions in which the user does not follow such instruction or performs an additional improper operation. For example, if subsequent to such instruction the user removes a different item, or no item at all, from thepost-scan area18, an entry is made into the event log associated with such activity.

Additional examples of event logs which may be maintained include an event log which tracks the number of occasions in which the user weighs an item, such as produce, with theproduct scale26, but then places an item of a different weight in thepost-scan area18. Moreover, a separate event log may be provided to track the number of occasions in which a user voids a first item from a transaction, but then removes a second item of lesser value from thepost-scan area18. A separate event log may be maintained to track the dollar amount of the coupons which are entered by a given user. Yet further, a separate event log may be provided to track the amount of time which elapses from the point in time at which the customer removes his or her items from thepost-scan area18 until the point in time at which the customer tenders payment for his or her items.

Moreover, the local memory devices maintain an electronic aggregate log. The aggregate log tracks the total of each of the various event logs. It should be appreciated that such an aggregate log is particularly useful for monitoring a users “overall” operation of thecheckout system10. In particular, while the occurrence of certain individual activities by a given user may not separately rise to a level of concern, the aggregate of such activities may be of concern to the retailer.

It should be appreciated that a separate, predetermined threshold value may be established for each of the numerous event logs and also the aggregate log. More specifically, a retailer may establish a threshold value for each of the logs that once equaled or exceeded causes theprocessing unit78b to communicate with certain system components in order to request intervention by retail personnel. In particular, when a threshold value associated with one of the event logs or the aggregate log is equaled or exceeded, theprocessing unit78b may communicate with thepaging device86 in order to page or otherwise alert retail personnel as to certain events surrounding the operation of thecheckout system10 by a given user. After being altered in such a manner, retail personnel will typically intervene into the transaction in order to either assist the user (in the case of inadvertent misuse of the system10) or audit and/or discontinue the transaction (in the case of intentional misuse or theft). It should be appreciated that theprocessing unit78b may also communicate with retail personnel via the statuslight device84.

Referring now toFIG. 10, there is shown the power distribution scheme of thecheckout system10. Power is distributed from awall outlet186 to the system components associated with thecheckout system10 by use of a number of power strips188. In particular, each of the power strips188 is coupled to thewall outlet186 via an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)196, whereas each of the system components is electrically coupled to the power strips188. Although not all of the system components shown inFIG. 9 are shown inFIG. 10 for purposes of clarity of description, it should be appreciated that such omitted system components (e.g. thebelt mechanisms20,56, thedigital camera94a, etcetera) are coupled to thepower strips188 in a similar manner as described below.

Use of the power strips188 simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable management of thecheckout system10. In particular, the power strips188 are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the power strips188 are respectively coupled thereby reducing the distance across which the individual power cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount one of thepower strips188 within the sameterminal cabinet28,30,32 in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to theparticular power strip188 are disposed.

In a specific example, as shown inFIG. 10, one of the power strips188 is secured within theterminal cabinet32 so as to be located in relatively close proximity to thecoin dispenser48, thecoin acceptor46, thebill dispenser52, and thebill acceptor50. In such a configuration, the power cables respectively associated with each of thecurrency devices46,48,50,52 (i.e. theserial communication lines130,132,134,136, respectively) are completely contained within theterminal cabinet32. Hence, in regard to thepower strip188 located in theterminal cabinet32, only the power cable which couples thepower strip188 located in theterminal cabinet32 to theUPS196 must be routed outside of theterminal cabinet32.

It should be appreciated that theother power strips188 may positioned in a similar manner. For example, one of the power strips188 may be positioned within theterminal cabinet30 in order to be located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which theparticular power strip188 is coupled (e.g. thesecurity scale68 or the signature capture device102).

Moreover, thepower strips188 include a number offemale power connectors188a which are configured to receive a correspondingmale connector190a associated with a first end of aperipheral power cable190. A second end of theperipheral power cable190 includes afemale connector190b which is configured to be received into amale power connector192 associated with each of the system components such as the interactivecustomer interface terminal78, thepersonnel interface terminal76, theinterface unit140, the assembly of thescanner24 and theproduct scale26, thereceipt printer54, theelectronic payment terminal44, thesecurity scale68, thesignature capture device102, thejournal printer88, thecoin dispenser48, thecoin acceptor46, thecash dispenser52, and thebill acceptor50.

Each of thefemale connectors188a, themale connectors190a, thefemale connectors190b, and themale connectors192 is configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors. What is meant herein by the term “accepted international standard for power connectors” is a power connector standard which is promulgated by an international standards organization for use in substantially all countries. One such accepted international standard for power connectors includes anIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors (including all variations and iterations thereof) which is promulgated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Similarly, each of the power strips188 includes a number ofmale power connectors188b which are configured to receive a correspondingfemale connector194a associated with a first end of aUPS power cable194. A second end of theUPS power cable194 includes amale connector194b which is configured to be received into afemale power connector196a associated with theUPS196. Themale power connectors188b, thefemale connectors194a, themale connectors194b, and thefemale power connectors196a are each configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors such as theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors.

Moreover, theUPS196 includes amale power connector196b which is configured to receive a correspondingfemale connector198a associated with a first end of anoutlet power cable198. A second end of theoutlet power cable198 includes amale connector198b which is configured to be received into a power outlet such as thewall outlet186. Themale power connector196b and thefemale connector198a are both configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors such as theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors. However, themale power connector196b is configured in accordance with an accepted country-specific standard for power connectors. What is meant herein by the term “accepted country-specific standard for power connectors” is a power connector standard which is promulgated by a national standards organization or a de facto standard which is otherwise in use within a particular country which may or may not conform to an accepted international standard for power connectors. One such accepted country-specific standard for power connectors includes a standard promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for use in conjunction with the three-prong connector configuration widely utilized throughout the United States (e.g. NEMA 5-15P for plug connectors and NEMA 5-15R for the associated receptacle connectors).

Such use of power connectors which conform to theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors provides thecheckout system10 with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, use of power connectors which conform to theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors facilitates the importation process of thecheckout system10 into foreign countries. In particular, heretofore designed checkout systems utilize power strips and power cables which have numerous connectors which conform to an accepted country-specific standard for power connectors. For example, checkout systems designed and/or manufactured for use the United States typically have receptacles that have female connectors which conform to U.S. standards (e.g. an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard) for receiving a male connector associated with a power cord of a peripheral device which also conforms to U.S. standards (e.g. an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard). The female connector of the peripheral power cord (i.e. the connector secured to the end of the power cable which connects to the male connector of the peripheral device) may or may not be configured in accordance with an international standard for power connectors. For example, a number of peripheral devices include male power connectors which conform to theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors. Hence, the power cable associated with such a peripheral device typically has a female power connector which conforms to theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors for coupling with the male connector of the peripheral device at one end, and a standard U.S. male power connector (e.g. a male connector that conforms to an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard) on the other end for coupling with a standard U.S. outlet such as the standard U.S. female power connectors associated with a power receptacle.

However, when such use of standard U.S. power connectors is discovered by an inspection officer or the like during importation of the checkout system into a foreign country, the checkout system may be denied immediate entry into the foreign country. In particular, importation of the checkout system into the foreign country may be delayed until a certificate of conformance or the like is presented to the inspection officer. Such delays can often take weeks thereby significantly slowing the delivery process of the checkout system to a retailer located in a foreign country.

However, thecheckout system10 of the present invention avoids such delays. In particular, when the inspection officer inspects thecheckout system10 during importation thereof into a foreign country, all of the power connectors associated with thecheckout system10 conform to theIEC 60320 international standard for power connectors thereby eliminating the need for a certificate of conformance or other documentation in regard to the power distribution architecture of thesystem10.

Moreover, only theoutlet power cable198 needs to be swapped in order to operate thecheckout system10 in various foreign countries. In particular, a differentoutlet power cable198 having amale connector198b which is configured to be received into the country-specific wall outlet of each foreign country may be utilized to couple the UPS196 (and hence the power strips188) to thewall outlet186. In such a manner, power may be supplied to each of the system components associated with the checkout system. More specifically, each of the system components associated with thecheckout system10 includes an auto-ranging power supply (not shown) which is capable of converting a wide variety of AC input voltages into the regulated, predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system component. For example, the individual power supplies respectively associated with each of the system components are configured to convert input power provided in either a European standard (e.g. 240V AC at 50 Hz), a U.S. standard (e.g. 110V AC at 60 Hz), or any other standard into the regulated, predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system component. Hence, by swapping theoutlet power cable198 to fit into the country-specific wall outlet186 of a given foreign country, power may be supplied to the system components without the need to also change any of the internal cable connections (i.e. thepower cables190 and194) or power supplies within thecheckout system10.

It should be appreciated that the use of thepower strips188 and theport expander devices108,110 provides for “modular construction” of thecheckout system10 by simplifying or otherwise enhancing the cable management of thecheckout system10. In particular, theport expander device108,110 and the power strips188 are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which theport expander devices108,110 and the power strips188 are respectively coupled thereby reducing the distance across which the individual data and power cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount one or more of theport expander devices108,110 and one or more of thepower strips188 within the sameterminal cabinet28,30,32 in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the particularport expander devices108,110 or theparticular power strips188 are disposed.

In such a manner, as described above, each of the data and power cables associated with the retail peripheral devices are completely contained within the respectiveterminal cabinets28,30,32. This allows the system configuration of thecheckout system10 to be quickly and easily changed to fit the needs of a given retailer. For example, as shown inFIG. 29, in certain retail applications it may be desirable to configure thecheckout system10 without theinput belt mechanism20. In such a configuration, aterminal cabinet28′ having a flat surface or counter276 secured thereto may be utilized in lieu of theterminal cabinet28. Such a change in the configuration of thecheckout system10 is relatively easy to perform since theterminal cabinet28 does not have data or power cables routed therethrough, except for the cables necessary for operation of the components associated with the terminal cabinet28 (e.g. theitem sensors98,100 and the input belt mechanism20).

It should be appreciated that other terminal cabinet substitutions may also be quickly and easily performed due to such modular construction of thecheckout system10. For example, if a certain retailer does not desire atakeaway belt mechanism56 and baggingcounter66, theterminal cabinet32 may be removed and substituted for a cabinet having a configuration which meets the retailer's requirements.

Moreover, such modular construction of thecheckout system10 also allows the core design of the system to be utilized in the construction of other types of checkout systems. For example, as shown inFIG. 30, the modular construction of thecheckout system10 allows the core components of the system to be utilized in the design of a dedicated self-service checkout system10′. The self-service checkout system10′ utilizes a similar design concept as thecheckout system10, but is not convertible into an assisted checkout system. Such a configuration is useful for retailers which desire a full-time self-service solution.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 31, the modular construction of thecheckout system10 allows the core components of the system to be utilized in the design of a second type of dedicated self-service checkout system100″. The self-service checkout system10″ is substantially the same as the self-service checkout system10′, but thecash payment devices46,48,50, and52 and thecoupon acceptor178 have been removed. Such a configuration further reduces costs associated with manufacture of thesystem10″ by providing a system which accepts payment via debit, credit, or smart card only.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In operation, thecheckout system10 may be operated to perform an assisted checkout transaction or a self-service checkout transaction. In particular, thecheckout system10 may be operated to perform an assisted checkout transaction in which retail personnel such as a checkout clerk assists the customer during the transaction. Prior to performing an assisted checkout transaction, system components associated with thecheckout system10 are first positioned in their respective assisted positions. In particular, thescanner24 is first rotated into its assisted scanner position by, as shown inFIG. 11, sliding the slidingdrawer assembly38 into its extended position such that the scanner24 (and hence the product scale26) may be rotated to its assisted scanner position in which thevertical scanning window24b faces thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10. Thereafter, the sliding drawer assembly is slid back into its retracted position within the interior of theterminal base34 such that operation of thescanner24 by the checkout clerk may be commenced (see FIGS.1-4).

Moreover, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is rotated to its operative position in which thedisplay monitor76a associated therewith faces thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 1-4 and23, the terminal support member80 (and hence the personnel interface terminal76) may be rotated relative to thehousing82 which houses thevertical scanning window24b of thescanner24 such that thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b face thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10.

Yet further, the set-aside item shelf70 is moved relative to theterminal base34 so as to be positioned in its assisted shelf position. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 1-4,12, and13, the set-aside item shelf70 may be slid or pivoted (depending on the type of mounting configuration utilized to secure theshelf70 to the terminal base34) to its assisted shelf position such that items may be positioned thereon by the checkout clerk during an assisted checkout transaction.

Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 19, prior to operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, thesupport arm assembly160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to assume its assisted terminal position in which thedisplay monitor78a faces the general direction of thepayment area16. It should be appreciated that during an assisted checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the proximity of thepayment area16. Hence, by positioning thedisplay monitor78a in the position shown inFIG. 19 (i.e. an assisted monitor position), retail information, along with other messages such as customer-specific advertisements, may be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a for viewing by the customer while the checkout clerk enters the customer's items for purchase with thescanner24.

In addition, thetakeaway belt58 associated with thetakeaway belt mechanism56 may be positioned to allow the checkout clerk to selectively advance items to either the assistedbagwell62 or the baggingcounter66. In particular, thetakeaway belt58 may be slid between an extended position (seeFIG. 12) and a retracted position (see FIG.13). As shown inFIG. 13, when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its retracted position, anend portion58a of thetakeaway belt58 is spaced apart from thescanner24 so as to expose the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 in order to allow the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to place an item into a grocery bag within the assistedbagwell62 once the item has been scanned. Conversely, as shown inFIG. 12, when thetakeaway belt58 is positioned in its extended position, theend portion58a of thetakeaway belt58 is positioned proximate to thescanner24 so as to cover the overhead access opening62a associated with the assistedbagwell62 in order to allow the checkout clerk operating thescanner24 to place an item onto thetakeaway belt58 once the item has been scanned in order to allow the item to be transported to the baggingcounter66 by thetakeaway belt mechanism56.

It should be appreciated that once the system components associated withcheckout system10 have been positioned in the manner described above, retail personnel actuates thesystem10. For example, the checkout clerk toggles the supervisor switch106 (seeFIG. 9) so as to cause theprocessing unit78b to execute an assisted version of the operating system software associated with thecheckout system10. In particular, although the operating system software is essentially the same forcheckout system10 irrespective of whether or not thesystem10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation or its assisted mode of operation, certain system functions may be enabled or disabled as thesystem10 is switched between its two modes of operation based on a particular system configuration. Moreover, prior to operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, the checkout clerk preferably actuates the lane light104 (seeFIG. 9) so as to cause thelane light104 to illuminate a “FULL-SERVICE” message so as to indicate to customers that the particular checkout system is being operated as an assisted checkout system in which a checkout clerk is available to assist the customer.

Referring now toFIG. 25, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth ageneral procedure200 for checking out items through thecheckout system10 when thesystem10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation. It should be appreciated that when the customer arrives at thecheckout system10, thesystem10 is in an idle state (step202). Aninitialization step204 is executed prior to checking out items for purchase. In particular, the checkout clerk operating thesystem10 enters certain information about the transaction such as pressing a particular button on thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 in order to select a desired method of payment, and/or (2) identifying the customer by having the customer swipe his or her loyalty card, debit card, credit card, or smart card through the card reader associated with theelectronic payment terminal44.

At the completion of theinitialization step204, the routine200 advances to anitemization step206 where the checkout clerk enters the customer's individual items for purchase by scanning the items across thescanner24. Moreover, instep206, the checkout clerk may enter items, such as produce items or the like, by weighing the items with theproduct scale26, and thereafter entering a product lookup code associated with the item via thekeypad76b associated with thepersonnel interface terminal76. Further, instep206 the customer may enter an item by manually entering the product identification code associated with the item via use of thekeypad76b associated with thepersonnel interface terminal76. Such manual entry of an item may be necessary for items (which would otherwise be entered via the scanner24) if the product identification code printed on the item is not readable by thescanner24 or if the item is too large or bulky to be scanned with thescanner24. It should be appreciated that thecheckout system10 may be alternatively configured such that the routine200 allows the checkout clerk to bypass theinitialization step204 thereby advancing directly to theitemization step206. In such a configuration, the checkout clerk would begin the transaction by scanning or otherwise entering the customer's first item for purchase.

At the completion of theitemization step206, an end-of-itemization control signal is generated and the routine200 advances to afinalization step208 in which (1) a transaction receipt is printed by thereceipt printer54, (2) a record of the transaction is printed on thejournal printer88, and (3) payment is tendered by either inserting currency into a currency acceptor (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50), charging a credit card or debit card account, or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via theelectronic payment terminal44. In the case of when a customer inserts currency into thecoin acceptor46 and/or thebill acceptor50, thecheckout system10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. thecoin dispenser48 and/or the bill dispenser52). After completion of thefinalization step208, the routine200 returns to step202 in which thecheckout system10 remains in the idle condition until subsequent initiation thereof.

As described, execution of such a procedure provides numerous advantages to thecheckout system10 of the present invention. For example, by operating thecheckout system10 such that payment is tendered by the customer by use of the currency acceptors (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50) or theelectronic payment device44 without the assistance of the checkout clerk allows the checkout clerk to begin a subsequent transaction while the customer completes the current transaction thereby enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with thecheckout system10. Similarly, operation of theelectronic payment terminal44 and generation of the transaction receipt on thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10 allows the customer to complete his or her transaction without further assistance from the checkout clerk thereby further enhancing the efficiency and throughput associated with thecheckout system10.

During operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, a number of software routines are executed to provide security from improprieties such as theft. For example, as shown inFIG. 26, ascale security routine210 is executed during the itemization step206 (seeFIG. 25) when thecheckout system10 is being operated with thetakeaway belt58 positioned in its retracted belt position (seeFIG. 13) in which the checkout clerk is himself or herself bagging the customer's items for purchase. Thescale security routine210 monitors output from thesecurity scale68 thereby monitoring the movement of items into and out of thepost-scan area18 in an effort to prevent “sweethearting” (e.g. a situation in which the checkout clerk scans a first item, but then places a second, more expensive item, or even an item that the clerk never even attempted to scan, into the customer's bag in order to provide an improper benefit to the customer who is typically an acquaintance of the checkout clerk).

Thescale security routine210 begins withstep212 in which theprocessing unit78b determines if an item has been entered into thecheckout system10 by the checkout clerk. In particular, theprocessing unit78b scans or reads the output from thescanner24 in order to determine if thescanner24 has successfully read or otherwise captured the product identification code associated with an item. More specifically, thescanner24 generates an output signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b once thescanner24 successfully reads the product identification code associated with the item. Similarly, theprocessing unit78b scans or reads the output from theproduct scale26 and thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 to determine if the checkout clerk weighed an item such as produce with theproduct scale26 and thereafter entered a product lookup code associated with the item via thekeypad76b. Moreover, theprocessing unit78b also monitors output from thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 in order to determine if the checkout clerk manually entered a product identification code associated with an item that was unable to be scanned with thescanner24. Hence instep212, if an item is entered into thecheckout system10, an item-entered control signal is generated and thescale security routine210 advances to step214. If an item has not been entered into thecheckout system10 by the checkout clerk, thescale security routine210 advances to step216.

Instep214, theprocessing unit78b retrieves a stored weight value of the entered item from a weight database. In particular, theprocessing unit78b communicates with either a local memory device (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) or a network memory device associated with the retailers network184 in order to retrieve the stored weight value associated with the entered item from the weight database. As discussed above, the weight database may be in the form of a master database which includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a “transaction level” database which is constructed locally at thecheckout system10 during operation thereof. In either event, once the stored weight value of the entered item has been retrieved from the weight database, thescale security routine210 advances to step218.

Instep218, theprocessing unit78b determines if the entered item is placed in thepost-scan area18. More specifically, thesecurity scale68 generates an output or detection signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b once thesecurity scale68 has detected placement of an item (1) into one of the grocery bags within the assistedbagwell62, or (2) onto the set-aside item shelf70. If thesecurity scale68 detects placement of an item into thepost-scan area18, thescale security routine210 is advanced to step220. If the security scale does not detect placement of the item into thepost-scan area18, thescale security routine210 loops back to step218 to monitor for subsequent placement of the item into thepost-scan area18. It should be appreciated that thecheckout system10 may be configured to allow for the entry of items without the item being subsequently placed in thepost-scan area18. For example, if the checkout clerk scans a pack of gum, the gum may be handed directly to the customer so that the customer may place the gum into his or her pocket instead of a grocery bag. In such a situation, thescale security routine210 would be configured to loop back to step212 to monitor entry of subsequent items if a previously entered item is not placed into thepost-scan area18 within a predetermined time.

As described above, if thesecurity scale68 detects placement of an item into thepost-scan area18, thescale security routine210 is advanced to step220. Instep220, theprocessing unit78b determines if the measured weight value of the item placed in the post-scan area18 (as detected by thesecurity scale68 in step218) matches the stored weight value of the entered item that was retrieved from the weight database instep214. What is meant herein by the terms “match”, “matches”, or “matching” in regard to weight values is that the magnitude of a first weight value is either equal to, or within a predetermined tolerance range of, the magnitude of a second weight value. For example, two weight values “match” if they are identical weight values. Moreover, a first weight value “matches” a second weight value if the first weight value is within 2% of the second weight value (assuming a 3% tolerance range). Yet further, a first weight value “matches” a second weight value if the first weight value is within 0.05 pounds of the second weight value (assuming a tolerance range of 0.10 pounds).

Hence, instep220, theprocessing unit78b compares the weight value of the item placed (1) into one of the grocery bags in the assistedbagwell62, or (2) onto the set-aside item shelf70 (as measured by the security scale68) with the stored weight value of the entered item that was retrieved from the weight database instep214. If the measured weight value of the item placed into thepost-scan area18 matches the stored weight value of the item retrieved from the weight database, thescale security routine210 advances to step222. If the measured weight value of the item placed into thepost-scan area18 does not mach the stored weight value of the item retrieved from the weight database, thescale security routine210 advances to step224.

Instep222, theprocessing unit78b determines that a successful checkout operation has been completed for the particular item selected for purchase. More specifically, theprocessing unit78b concludes that (1) the checkout clerk apparently scanned or otherwise entered the item since a code associated with the item was detected instep212, and (2) the same item was placed in thepost-scan area18 since the weight values matched instep220. Hence, theprocessing unit78b adds a record of the properly entered item into the transaction table. In particular, theprocessing unit78b communicates with the network25 to obtain product information (e.g. description and price) associated with the entered item. Thereafter, theprocessing unit78b updates the transaction table. More specifically, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) which causes the transaction table to be updated in the local memory devices to include the product information associated with the scanned item. As described above, the sum of each of the items recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g. coupons), and (2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table is printed out on thereceipt printer54 thereby generating a receipt for the customer at the end of his or her transaction. Once the transaction table has been updated, a valid-use control signal is generated, and thescale security routine210 advances to step226.

Instep226, theprocessing unit78b monitors the output from thekeypad76b associated with thepersonnel interface terminal76. In particular, the checkout clerk touches a particular key of thekeypad76 when the checkout clerk has completed scanning or otherwise entering all of the customers items for purchase. If a particular signal is generated by thekeypad76b, theprocessing unit78b determines that theitemization procedure206 is complete and thescale security routine210 ends thereby advancing the general routine200 (seeFIG. 25) to thefinalization step208. If a particular signal is not generated by thekeypad76b, theprocessing unit78b determines that the checkout clerk has additional items to enter, and thescale security routine210 loops back to step212 to monitor subsequent item entry.

Returning now to step220, if the measured weight value of the item placed into thepost-scan area18 does not match the stored weight value of the entered item retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine advances to step224. Instep224, theprocessing unit78b increments the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with item substitutions by a predetermined value. More specifically, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log and the aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.

Thereafter, theprocessing unit78b determines if the total value of either the event log associated with item substitutions or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with item substitutions exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b causes an output signal to be generated which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk to determine if the checkout clerk is attempting to provide improper benefits to the customer such as by “sweethearting”. In addition, if the aggregating log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk in a similar manner. Thescale security routine210 then advances to step228.

Instep228, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a associated with the personnel interface terminal76 which instructs the checkout clerk to remove the item from thepost-scan area18 and thereafter place the proper item into the post-scan area. Thescale security routine210 then advances to step230.

Instep230, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesecurity scale68 in order to determine if the substituted item is removed from thepost-scan area18 by the checkout clerk, as instructed. In particular, thesecurity scale68 generates an output signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b when the checkout clerk (1) removes the substituted item from one of the grocery bags in the assistedbagwell62, or (2) takes the substituted item off of the set-aside item shelf70. It should be appreciated that theprocessing unit78b compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of the substituted item that was determined when it was placed in the post-scan area18 (as detected in step218) in order to ensure that the proper item is removed. If the proper item is removed from thepost-scan area18, an item-removed control signal is generated and thescale security routine210 loops back to step218 to monitor subsequent placement of the correct item into thepost-scan area18. If the proper item has not yet been removed from thepost-scan area18, thescale security routine210 loops back to step230 to monitor subsequent removal of the proper item from thepost-scan area18.

Returning now to step212, if an item was not scanned or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10, thescale security routine210 advances to step216. Instep216, theprocessing unit78b determines if an unentered item is placed in thepost-scan area18. More specifically, thesecurity scale68 generates an output or detection signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b once thesecurity scale68 has detected placement of an item (1) into the assistedbagwell62, or (2) onto the set-aside item shelf70. If thesecurity scale68 detects placement of an unentered item into thepost-scan area18, an invalid-use control signal is generated, and thescale security routine210 is advanced to step232. If thesecurity scale68 does not detect placement of an unentered item into thepost-scan area18, theprocessing unit78b concludes that there is no present item entry attempt being made by the checkout clerk, and thescale security routine210 loops back to step212 to monitor for subsequent item entry.

Instep232, theprocessing unit78b increments the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with unentered item placement (i.e. placement of an unentered item into the post-scan area18) by a predetermined value. More specifically, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log associated with unentered item placement and the aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.

Thereafter, theprocessing unit78b determines if the total value of either the event log associated with unentered item placement or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with unentered item placement exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b causes an output signal to be generated which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk to determine if the checkout clerk is attempting to provide improper benefits to the customer such as by “sweethearting”. In addition, if the aggregate log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the checkout clerk in a similar manner. Thescale security routine210 then advances to step234.

Instep234, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a associated with the personnel interface terminal76 which instructs the checkout clerk to remove the unentered item from thepost-scan area18 and thereafter properly scan or otherwise enter the item into thecheckout system10. Thescale security routine210 then advances to step236.

Instep236, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thesecurity scale68 in order to determine if the unentered item is removed from thepost-scan area18 by the checkout clerk, as instructed. In particular, thesecurity scale68 generates a removal output signal which is sent to theprocessing unit78b when the checkout clerk (1) removes the unentered item from one of the grocery bags in the assistedbagwell62, or (2) takes the unentered item off of the set-aside item shelf70. It should be appreciated that theprocessing unit78b compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of the unentered item that was determined when it was placed in the post-scan area18 (as detected in step216) in order to ensure that the proper item is removed. In particular, theprocessing unit78b generates a match control signal if the weight value of the removed item matches the weight value of the unentered item that was placed in thepost-scan area18. In response to generation of the match control signal, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a which instructs the checkout clerk to reenter the item. Hence, instep236, if the proper item is removed from thepost-scan area18, an item-removed control signal is generated and thescale security routine210 loops back to step212 to monitor subsequent entry of the item. If the proper item has not yet been removed from thepost-scan area18, or a different item is removed, an instruction is displayed on thedisplay monitor76a which instructs the checkout clerk to remove the proper item, and thescale security routine210 loops back to step236 to monitor subsequent removal of the proper item from thepost-scan area18.

As described above, use of thescale security routine210 provides thecheckout system10 with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, as described in detail above, use of thescale security routine210 provides security from improprieties such as “sweethearting” during operation of thecheckout system10 by a checkout clerk. Such capabilities are not possible with heretofore designed assisted checkout systems. This is true since heretofore designed assisted checkout systems have not been configured with a security scale due to, amongst other reasons, cost of the scale. However, since the design of thecheckout system10 of the present invention includes a security scale (i.e. the security scale68) for operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, novel additions, manipulations, and modifications to the operation system software allows thesecurity scale68 to be utilized to provide security against improprieties on the part of the checkout clerk during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation without adding additional costs to manufacture of thesystem10.

It should be appreciated that other security mechanisms may also be operated during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation. For example, thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention is operated to generate a deactivation field in the form of a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of thecheckout system10 so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase as the items are scanned by the checkout clerk with thescanner24. In particular, as described above, thesecurity deactivation device172 generates a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a scanner detection zone associated with thescanner24. By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a scanning motion utilized by the checkout clerk to scan an item with thescanner24 causes the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion.

Moreover, the video system94 (seeFIG. 9) may also be utilized to provide security from improprieties such as theft when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation. In particular, referring now toFIG. 27, avideo security routine250 is executed, for example, at the end of the itemization step206 (see FIG.25), prior to the beginning of thefinalization step208. Thevideo security routine250 monitors video images captured by thevideo camera94a in order to determine if the customer's shopping receptacle (e.g. theshopping cart238 or the shopping basket240) is devoid of items.

Thevideo security routine250 beings withstep252 in which theprocessing unit78b communicates with thevideo system94 in order to capture and thereafter store video images associated with a shopping receptacle. In particular, theprocessing unit78b operates thevideo system94 so as to cause thevideo camera94a to capture a video image of theshopping cart238 or the shopping basket240 (seeFIG. 16) thereby creating an electronic video file of the captured video image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240. Thevideo security routine250 then advances to step254.

Instep254, theprocessing unit78b retrieves a reference electronic video file. In particular, theprocessing unit78b communicates with either a local memory device (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) or a network memory device associated with the retailers network184 in order to retrieve the reference electronic video file therefrom. As discussed above, a reference video image of an empty shopping cart or shopping basket is stored as a reference electronic video file in either a local memory device associated with the checkout system (e.g. thememory modules78d or a hard drive) or on a network memory device associated with the retailer'snetwork184. Once the reference electronic video file of the empty shopping cart or shopping basket has been retrieved from the memory deice, thevideo security routine250 advances to step256.

Instep256, theprocessing unit78b compares the electronic video files in order to determine if the customer'sshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is devoid of items (i.e. empty). In particular, the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is compared to the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket. If the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 matches the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, a receptacle-empty control signal is generated and thescale security routine250 ends thereby advancing thegeneral routine200 to the finalization step (see FIG.25). However, if the electronic video file associated with the captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 does not match the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, an item-remaining control signal is generated and thevideo security routine250 advances to step258.

Instep258, theprocessing unit78b increments by a predetermined value both the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with items remaining in a shopping receptacle. More specifically, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g. thememory modules78d or the hard drive) which causes the event log and the aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.

Thereafter, theprocessing unit78b determines if the total value of either the event log associated with items remaining in a shopping receptacle or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with items remaining in a shopping receptacle exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b causes an output signal to be generated which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist the checkout clerk in order to determine if the customer is attempting to commit an impropriety such as theft. In addition, if the aggregate log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, theprocessing unit78b generates an output signal which causes thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 to be operated to page or otherwise summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist the checkout clerk in a similar manner. Thevideo security routine250 then advances to step260.

Instep260, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a associated with the personnel interface terminal76 which instructs the checkout clerk to inform the customer that he or she has items remaining in his or hershopping cart238 orshopping basket240. Thevideo security routine250 then advances to step262.

Instep262, theprocessing unit78b communicates with thevideo system94 in order to capture and thereafter store a second video image associated with the shopping receptacle in order to determine if the customer removed the remaining item or items as instructed. In particular, theprocessing unit78b operates thevideo system94 so as to cause thevideo camera94a to capture a second video image of theshopping cart238 or theshopping basket240 thereby creating a second electronic video file having the second captured video image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240. Thevideo security routine250 then advances to step264.

Instep264, theprocessing unit78b compares the electronic video files in order to determine if the customer removed the item or items from his or hershopping cart238 orshopping basket240 as instructed. In particular, the electronic video file associated with the second captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 is compared to the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket. If the electronic video file associated with the second captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 matches the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, a receptacle-empty control signal is generated and thescale security routine250 ends thereby advancing thegeneral routine200 to the finalization step (see FIG.25). However, if the electronic video file associated with the second captured image of theshopping cart238 orshopping basket240 does not match the reference electronic video file associated with an empty shopping cart or shopping basket, an item-remaining control signal is generated and thevideo security routine250 advances to step266.

Instep266, theprocessing unit78b generates a personnel-needed control signal in response to generation of the second item-remaining control signal. In particular, theprocessing unit78b causes a message to be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a of the personnel interface terminal76 which informs the checkout clerk of the item or items remaining in the customer'sshopping cart238 ofshopping basket240. Moreover, theprocessing unit78b may also communicate with thepaging device86 and the statuslight device84 in order to summon additional retail personnel such as a customer service manager.

As described above, use of thevideo security routine250 provides thecheckout system10 with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, as described in detail above, use of thevideo security routine250 provides security from unintentional or intentional improprieties such as theft in regard to items remaining in the customer's shopping receptacle. Such remaining items might otherwise be allowed to leave the retailer's store without having first been paid for.

Moreover, thevideo camera94a may also be operated to capture a video image of the checkout clerk operating thecheckout system10. In a known manner, the captured video image of the checkout clerk is then stored in the form of an electronic video file by theprocessing unit78b. A subsequent video image (which is representative of the captured video image) may then be extracted from the electronic video file for use by thecheckout system10. For example, an extracted video image of the checkout clerk (i.e. a video image extracted from the stored electronic file) could be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a of the personnel interface terminal76 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent against “sweethearting” or other improprieties. Moreover, the extracted video image of the checkout clerk could be printed with thereceipt printer54 in order to serve as an additional psychological deterrent against “sweethearting” or other improprieties.

As alluded to above, the statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 may be utilized during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation in order to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10. In particular, if during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, an intervention-needed activity is detected, the statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 are operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager in order to provide assistance to the checkout clerk. As described in detail above, such an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity in which thecheckout system10 is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally). An intervention-needed activity may also take the form of a non-security-breach activity in which the checkout clerk is in need of assistance or thecheckout system10 is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For example, if the checkout clerk scanned a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag as detected by, for example, the security scale68 (e.g. “sweethearting”), theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. Moreover, if the checkout clerk operating thesystem10 touches a particular key on thekeypad76b associated with the personnel interface terminal76 (see FIG.23), thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

In addition, theprocessing unit78b may monitor the status of the retail peripheral devices associated with thecheckout system10 in order to determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the currency level within thecoin dispenser48 and thebill dispenser52 in order to determine if eithercurrency dispenser48,52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the paper supply level within thereceipt printer54 and a journal printer88 (seeFIG. 9) in order to determine if eitherprinter54,88 is in need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 or theprinters54,88 is in need of restocking, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been detected, the statuslight device84 is operated to summon retail personnel. For example, the statuslight device84 may display a first colored light (e.g. yellow) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the statuslight device84 may display a second colored light (e.g. red) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed immediately.

As with the statuslight device84, thepaging device86 is utilized to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10 once an intervention-needed activity has been detected. Thepaging device86 is particularly useful since it is operable to communicate with retail personnel who are positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out of the view of the statuslight device84. In particular, thesignal transmitter86a of thepaging device86 communicates with a number of portable communication devices such as wirelessalphanumeric pagers90. Hence, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Upon generation of an intervention-needed control signal, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thepagers90. The personnel-request signal includes a specific alphanumeric message which includes such information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 which requires assistance. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which causes a message to be displayed on one of thepagers90 which informs the customer service manager wearing thepager90 that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

Moreover, as shown in FIG.22 and discussed above, thesignal transmitter86a may communicate with thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92 in order to generate audible messages which are broadcast to retail personnel within the store with thespeakers92b. In particular, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an intervention-needed control signal causes thesignal transmitter86a to generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92. The personnel-request signal includes a specific code which corresponds to a number of specific, prerecorded audible messages stored in, or otherwise maintained by, thecontroller92c of theintercom device92. For example, each of the prerecorded messages may include such information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 which requires assistance. Thecontroller92c causes such prerecorded audible messages to be broadcast with thespeakers92b so as to be audibly detected by retail personnel such as a customer service manager within the retailer's store. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which, once received by thesignal receiver92a, causes an audible message to be broadcast on thespeakers92b which informs the customer service manager that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

Additionally, during operation of thecheckout system10 in its assisted mode of operation, thedisplay monitor78a of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 may be utilized to display certain information to the customer while the checkout clerk is entering the customer's items for purchase. For example, a customer-specific message such as a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous visit to the retailers store may be displayed on afirst portion272 of thedisplay monitor78a, as shown inFIG. 21, while transaction information such as item description and price is displayed on asecond portion274 of thedisplay monitor78a. In particular, during an assisted checkout transaction, theprocessing unit78b retrieves information from a customer profile database which contains customer-specific information (e.g. previous purchases) about each of the retailer's customers. Hence, as shown inFIG. 21, if the customer routinely purchases “ACME BEER”, an advertisement for “ACME BEER” may be displayed on thefirst portion272 of thedisplay monitor78a while the checkout clerk is entering the customer's items for purchase.

Moreover, such a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product that may be used in conjunction with a product which was previously scanned or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10 during the current checkout transaction. For example, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer included in the customer's items for purchase, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to the customer on thefirst portion272 if theprocessing unit78b since pretzels are commonly consumed with beer.

It should be appreciated that such customer-specific messages may also be communicated by other components associated with thecheckout system10. For example, customer-specific messages may be displayed to the checkout clerk with thedisplay monitor76a of the personnelinteractive terminal76. For instance, if the checkout clerk scans a case of beer or other type of alcohol, a customer-specific message may displayed on thedisplay monitor76a which informs the checkout clerk that the customer is not old enough to purchase the beer or other type of alcohol. Similarly, customer-specific advertisement messages could be displayed on thedisplay monitor76a in order to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer in a personal manner by the checkout clerk.

As described above, thecheckout system10 may also be operated to perform a self-service checkout transaction in which the customer completes his or her checkout transaction without the assistance of retail personnel such as a checkout clerk. Prior to performing a self-service checkout transaction, system components associated with thecheckout system10 are first positioned in their respective self-service positions. In particular, thescanner24 must be rotated from its assisted scanner position (as shown inFIGS. 1-4) to its self-service scanner position (as shown in FIGS.5-8). As shown inFIG. 11, the slidingdrawer assembly38 is first slid into its extended position such that the scanner24 (and hence the product scale26) may be rotated from its assisted scanner position to its self-service scanner position in which thevertical scanning window24b faces thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10. Thereafter, the sliding drawer assembly is slid back into its retracted position within the interior of theterminal base34 such that operation of thescanner24 by the customer may be commenced (see FIGS.5-8).

It should be appreciated that thescanner24 may be moved from the assisted scanner position to its self-service scanner position in other manners. In particular, as shown inFIG. 17, thescanner24 may be embodied as a known “flatbed” scanner (hereinafter designated asscanner24′) which contains a single, horizontal scanning aperture similar to thehorizontal scanning window24a. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to rotate thescanner24′ between its assisted and self-service positions due to the absence of thevertical scanning window24b. Hence, thescanner24′ may be slidably secured to theterminal base34 in order to be slid between its assisted scanner position (as shown in phantom lines inFIG. 17) and its self-service scanner position (as shown in solid lines in FIG.17). It should be appreciated that, as shown in phantom lines inFIG. 17, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is mounted on a support such as a pole or the like in conjunction with use of thescanner24′ due to the absence of thehousing82.

Moreover, prior to operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is rotated to its operative position in which thedisplay monitor76a associated therewith faces thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10. In particular, when thescanner24 is rotated to its self-service scanner position as described above, the personnel interface terminal76 (being mounted on thehousing82 which houses thevertical scanning window24b) is likewise rotated thereby causing thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b to face thecustomer side40 of thecheckout system10. However, as described above, thepersonnel interface terminal76 is not utilized by the customer when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. Accordingly, it is desirable to position the personnel interface terminal76 such that thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b face away from the customer. As shown inFIGS. 5-8 and24, the terminal support member80 (and hence the personnel interface terminal76) may be rotated relative to thehousing82 which houses thevertical scanning window24b of thescanner24 such that thedisplay monitor76a and thekeypad76b face thepersonnel side42 of thecheckout system10 when thecheckout system10 is operated in its self-service mode of operation.

It should be appreciated that such positioning of the personnel interface terminal76 (i.e. facing it away from the customer) provides numerous advantages to the design of thecheckout system10 when it is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. For example, such positioning of thepersonnel interface terminal76 reduces or potentially eliminates the possibility that thekeypad76b is accidentally operated by the customer. Moreover, by facing thekeypad76b and thedisplay monitor76a away from the customer, the customer is confronted with fewer system components when approaching thecheckout system10 which reduces the “intimidation effect” on new or inexperienced customers thereby rendering the new or inexperienced customer more likely to utilize thecheckout system10 as a self-service solution. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 24, such positioning of thepersonnel interface terminal76 allows thelaminated sign80b secured to thesurface80a of theterminal support member80 to be viewed by the customer. As described above, the message printed on thesign80b is displayed to the customer in order present an advertisement for a product or service offered by the retailer. Moreover, the retailer may sell the space on thelaminated sign80b to an outside company or business (e.g. a real estate agent or mortgage broker) in order to generate additional revenue. The message printed on thesign80b may alternatively include instructions which instruct the customer on operation of thecheckout system10.

Yet further, the set-aside item shelf70 is moved relative to theterminal base34 so as to be positioned in its self-service shelf position. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 5-8 and15, the set-aside item shelf70 may be slid or pivoted (depending on the type of mounting configuration utilized to secure theshelf70 to the terminal base34) to its self-service shelf position such that items may be positioned thereon by the customer during a self-service checkout transaction. As shown inFIG. 5, by positioning the set-aside item shelf70 in its self-service position, the self-service bagwell60 is exposed thereby allowing the customer to advance items into the grocery bags (not shown) located therein.

Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 20, prior to operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, thesupport arm assembly160 is manipulated so as to cause the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 to assume its self-service terminal position in which thedisplay monitor78a faces the general direction of the area located in front of the self-service bagwell60. It should be appreciated that during a self-service checkout transaction, the customer is generally positioned in the proximity of the area located in front of the self-service bagwell60 in order to scan items with thescanner24 and thereafter place the items in grocery bags positioned in the self-service bagwell60. Moreover, by positioning thedisplay monitor78a in the position shown inFIG. 20 (i.e. a self-service monitor position), retail information such as transaction information (e.g. product prices and descriptions), along with other messages such as instructional and advertisement messages, may be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a for viewing by the customer while the customer enters his or her items for purchase with thescanner24.

It should be appreciated that once the system components associated withcheckout system10 have been positioned in the manner described above, retail personnel actuates thesystem10 prior to allowing the first customer to operate thesystem10. For example, the customer service manager toggles the supervisor switch106 (seeFIG. 9) so as to cause theprocessing unit78b to execute a self-service version of the operating system software associated with thecheckout system10. In particular, although the operating system software is essentially the same forcheckout system10 irrespective of whether or not thesystem10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation or its self-service mode of operation, certain system functions may be enabled or disabled as thesystem10 is switched between its two modes of operations based on a particular system configuration. Moreover, prior to operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, the customer service manager preferably actuates the lane light104 (seeFIG. 9) so as to cause thelane light104 to illuminate a “SELF-SERVICE” message in order to indicate to customers that theparticular checkout system10 is being operated as a self-service checkout system.

Referring now toFIG. 28, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth ageneral procedure300 for checking out items through thecheckout system10 when thesystem10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. It should be appreciated that when the customer arrives at thecheckout system10, thesystem10 is in an idle state (step302). Aninitialization step304 is executed prior to checking out items for purchase. In particular, a message is displayed on thedisplay monitor78a associated with the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 which instructs the customer to (1) to select a desired method of payment by touching a particular portion of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a, and/or (2) identify himself or herself by swiping his or her loyalty card, debit card, credit card, or smart card through the card reader associated with theelectronic payment terminal44.

At the completion of theinitialization step304, the routine300 advances to anitemization step306 where the customer enters the customer's individual items for purchase by scanning the items across thescanner24. Moreover, instep306, the customer may enter items, such as produce items or the like, by weighing the items with theproduct scale26, and thereafter entering a product lookup code associated with the item via the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a. Further, instep306 the customer may enter an item by manually entering the product identification code associated with the item via use of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a. Such manual entry of an item may be necessary for items (which would otherwise be entered via the scanner24) if the product identification code printed on the item is not readable by thescanner24 or if the item is too large or bulky to be scanned with thescanner24. It should be appreciated that thecheckout system10 may be configured such that the routine300 allows more experienced customers to bypass theinitialization step304 thereby advancing directly to theitemization step306. In such a configuration, the customer would begin the transaction by scanning or otherwise entering his or her first item for purchase.

At the completion of theitemization step306, an end-of-itemization control signal is generated and the routine300 advances to afinalization step308 in which (1) a transaction receipt is printed by thereceipt printer54, (2) a record of the transaction is printed on thejournal printer88, and (3) payment is tendered by either inserting currency into the currency acceptors (i.e. thecoin acceptor46 and/or the bill acceptor50), charging a credit card or debit card account or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via theelectronic payment terminal44. In the case of when a customer inserts currency into thecoin acceptor46 and/or thebill acceptor50, thecheckout system10 may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e. thecoin dispenser48 and/or the bill dispenser52). After completion of thefinalization step308, the routine300 returns to step302 in which thecheckout system10 remains in the idle condition until a subsequent customer initializes thesystem10.

During operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, a number of software routines are executed to provide security from improprieties such as theft. For example, a scale security routine similar to the scale security routine210 (seeFIG. 26) is executed in order to monitor the movement of items into and out of thepost-scan area18. More specifically, during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, a scale security routine is executed which monitors (1) the movement of items into and out of the self-service bagwell60, and (2) onto and off of the set-aside item shelf70 in order to reduce the number of occasions in which the customer commits an impropriety such as theft. Since the scale security routine executed when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation is somewhat similar to the scale security routine executed when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation, further discussion thereof is not warranted.

It should be appreciated that other security mechanisms may also be operated during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation. For example, thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention is operated to generate a deactivation field in the form of a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase as the items are scanned by the customer with thescanner24. In particular, as described above, thesecurity deactivation device172 generates a deactivation field (e.g. a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a scanner detection zone associated with thescanner24. By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a scanning motion utilized by the customer to scan an item with thescanner24 causes the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion.

As described above, such utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 is particularly useful when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, by “automatically” deactivating the electronic security tag when the item is being scanned by a customer (i.e. deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which of the customer's items contain electronic security tags that need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic security tags associated with the customer's items for purchase. It should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds cost to the retailer's operation (e.g. the cost associated with staffing the centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailer's store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue is present at the centralized area.

Hence, utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 of the present invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of items into thecheckout system10 by the customer. In particular, utilization of thesecurity deactivation device172 eliminates the need for the retail clerk to intervene into the customers transaction thereby reducing labor costs associated with the retailer's operation, along with increasing convenience to the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during operation of thesystem10.

It should be appreciated that thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g. the magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation ls field once the product code associated with the item has been captured by thescanner24. In particular, under the premise that if the customer is making an attempt to scan the item, the customer is likely not trying to commit an impropriety such as theft, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the electronic security tag is deactivated whether or not the product code associated with the item is actually captured with thescanner24. For example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner24 (by advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code associated with the item facing one of thescanning windows24a,24b), but the product code is not captured by the scanner for any reason, thesecurity deactivation device172, if configured to continuously produce the deactivation field, may cause the electronic security label to be deactivated even though the item was not actually entered in thecheckout system10. However, in the case of operation of thecheckout system10 by an honest customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g. by re-scanning the item or manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item since the customer is not made aware of the fact that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.

However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security tag is prematurely deactivated and the item is not subsequently entered into thecheckout system10, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code associated with the item has been entered into thesystem10. In particular, an item-entered control signal is generated when a product code associated with an item is captured by thescanner24. In response to generation of the item-entered control signal, thesecurity deactivation device172 may be instantaneously actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field generated by thesecurity deactivation device172 may be configured to ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a scanning motion or subsequent handling motion (e.g. the motion associated with placement of the item into the post-scan area18).

Moreover, the video system94 (seeFIG. 9) may also be utilized to provide security from improprieties such as theft when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation. In particular, a video security routine similar to thevideo security routine250 is executed, for example, at the end of the itemization step306 (see FIG.28), but prior to the beginning of thefinalization step308. As with thevideo security routine250 utilized when thecheckout system10 is operated in its assisted mode of operation, the video security routine utilized when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation monitors video images captured by thevideo camera94a in order to determine if the customers shopping receptacle (e. g. theshopping cart238 or the shopping basket240) is devoid of items (i.e. empty). Since the video security routine executed when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its self-service mode of operation is somewhat similar to the video security routine executed when thecheckout system10 is being operated in its assisted mode of operation, further discussion thereof is not warranted.

Moreover, thevideo camera94a may also be operated to capture a video image of the customer operating thecheckout system10. In a known manner, the captured video image of the checkout clerk is then stored in the form of an electronic video file by theprocessing unit78b. A subsequent video image (which is representative of the captured video image) may then be extracted from the electronic video file for use by thesystem10. For example, an extracted video image of the customer (i.e. a video image extracted from the stored electronic file) may be displayed on thedisplay monitor78a of the interactivecustomer interface terminal78 in order to serve as a psychological deterrent against theft or other improprieties. Moreover, the extracted video image of the customer may also be printed with thereceipt printer54 onto the customer's transaction receipt96 (seeFIG. 14) in order to serve as an additional psychological deterrent against theft or other improprieties.

As alluded to above, the statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 may be utilized during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation in order to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10. In particular, if during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, an intervention-needed activity is detected, the statuslight device84 and thepaging device86 are operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager in order to assist and/or investigate the customer's operation of thesystem10. As described in detail above, such an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity in which thecheckout system10 is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally). An intervention-needed activity may also take the form of a non-security-breach activity in which the customer is in need of assistance or thecheckout system10 is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag as detected by, for example, thesecurity scale68, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. Moreover, if the customer operating thesystem10 touches a particular portion of the touch screen associated with thedisplay monitor78a, thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

In addition, theprocessing unit78b may monitor the status of the retail peripheral devices associated with thecheckout system10 in order to determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the currency level within thecoin dispenser48 and thebill dispenser52 in order to determine if eithercurrency dispenser48,52 is in need of restocking. Moreover, theprocessing unit78b preferably monitors the paper supply level within thereceipt printer54 and a journal printer88 (seeFIG. 9) in order to determine if eitherprinter54,88 is in need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 or theprinters54,88 is in need of restocking, theprocessing unit78b concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.

As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been detected, the statuslight device84 is operated to summon retail personnel. For example, the statuslight device84 may display a first colored light (e.g. yellow) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the statuslight device84 may display a second colored light (e.g. red) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed immediately.

As with the statuslight device84, thepaging device86 is utilized to page or otherwise summon retail personnel to thecheckout system10 once an intervention-needed activity has be detected. Thepaging device86 is particularly useful since it is operable to communicate with retail personnel who are positioned at locations within or outside of the store which are out of the view of the statuslight device84. In particular, thesignal transmitter86a of thepaging device86 communicates with a number of portable communication devices such as wirelessalphanumeric pagers90. Hence, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Upon generation of an intervention-needed control signal, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thepagers90. The personnel-request signal includes a specific alphanumeric message that includes such information as the nature of the intervention that is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 that requires assistance. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which causes a message to be displayed on one of thepagers90 which informs the customer service manager wearing thepager90 that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

Moreover, as shown in FIG.22 and discussed above, thesignal transmitter86a may communicate with thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92 in order to generate audible messages which are broadcast to retail personnel within the store with thespeakers92b. In particular, upon detection of an intervention-needed activity by theprocessing unit78b, an intervention-needed control signal is generated. Generation of an intervention-needed control signal causes thesignal transmitter86a to generate an RF personnel-request signal which is received by thesignal receiver92a associated with theintercom device92. The personnel-request signal includes a specific code which corresponds to a number of specific, prerecorded audible messages stored in, or otherwise maintained by, thecontroller92c of theintercom device92. For example, each of the prerecorded messages may include such information as the nature of the intervention which is needed and the identity of theparticular checkout system10 which requires assistance. Thecontroller92c causes such prerecorded audible messages to be broadcast with thespeakers92b so as to be audibly detected by retail personnel such as a customer service manager within the retailer's store. For example, if one of thecurrency dispensers48,52 needs to be restocked, thesignal transmitter86a generates an RF personnel-request signal which, once received by thesignal receiver92a, causes an audible message to be broadcast on thespeakers92b which informs the customer service manager that aparticular checkout system10 is, for example, running low on dimes.

Additionally, during operation of thecheckout system10 in its self-service mode of operation, thedisplay monitor78a of the interactive customer interface may be utilized to display certain information to the customer while the customer is entering his or her items for purchase. For example, a customer-specific message such as a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous visit to the retailer's store may be displayed on thefirst portion272 of thedisplay monitor78a, as shown inFIG. 21, while transaction information such as item description and price is displayed on thesecond portion274 of thedisplay monitor78a. In particular, during a self-service checkout transaction, theprocessing unit78b retrieves information from a customer profile database which contains customer-specific information (e.g. previous purchases) about each of the retailer's customers. Hence, as shown inFIG. 21, if the customer routinely purchases “ACME BEER”, an advertisement for “ACME BEER” may be displayed on thefirst portion272 of thedisplay monitor78a while the customer is entering the his or her items for purchase.

Moreover, such a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product which may be used in conjunction with a product which was previously scanned or otherwise entered into thecheckout system10 during the current checkout transaction. For example, if the customer scans a case of beer, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to the customer on thefirst portion272 if thedisplay monitor78b since pretzels are commonly consumed with beer.

As described above in detail, thecheckout system10 of the present invention provides numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, thecheckout system10 provides a low-cost, easy-to-operate checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system. Moreover, thecheckout system10 of the present invention provides a checkout system that may be operated as either an assisted checkout system or a self-service checkout system that can be quickly and easily converted between the two types of systems. Yet further, thecheckout system10 of the present invention provides a checkout system that can be imported into numerous foreign countries with minimal effort during the importation process in regard to compliance of local electrical standards. In addition, thecheckout system10 of the present invention provides a checkout system has enhanced data and power cable routing management relative to heretofore designed checkout systems. Moreover, thecheckout system10 of the present invention provides a checkout system which may be constructed of “off the shelf”, industry-standard retail peripheral devices thereby substantially eliminating costs associated with development of proprietary data transmission and power architectures.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

There are a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the checkout system described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the checkout system of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a checkout system that incorporates one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (53)

1. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, comprising the steps of:

generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal;

displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on a first portion of said display monitor in response to generation of said item-entered control signal; and

displaying a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of said display monitor, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message includes the step of displaying said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor based on identity of said item for purchase.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message further includes the step of displaying a customer-specific advertisement on said second portion of said display monitor based on identity of said item for purchase.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying a price associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:

said step of generating said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal includes the step of generating said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal by retail personnel, and

said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying said customer-specific retail message to a customer on said second portion of said display monitor.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:

said step of generating said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal includes the step of generating said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal by retail personnel, and

said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying said customer-specific retail message to said retail personnel on said second portion of said display monitor.

7. A retail terminal, comprising:

a display monitor;

a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and

a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit, causes said processing unit to:

(a) generate an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal,

(b) display item information associated with said item for purchase on a first portion of said display monitor in response to generation of said item-entered control signal, and

(c) display a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of said display monitor contemporaneously with display of said item information associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor.

8. The retail terminal ofclaim 7, wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to display said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor based on identity of said item for purchase.

9. The retail terminal ofclaim 8, wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to display a customer-specific advertisement on said second portion of said display monitor based on identity of said item for purchase.

10. The retail terminal ofclaim 7, wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to display a price associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor.

11. The retail terminal ofclaim 7, wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:

(a) generate said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal by retail personnel, and

(b) display said customer-specific retail message to said customer on said second portion of said display monitor.

12. The retail terminal ofclaim 7, wherein said plurality of instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:

(a) generate said item-entered control signal when said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal by retail personnel, and

(b) display said customer-specific retail message to said retail personnel on said second portion of said display monitor.

13. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, comprising the steps of:

generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase of a customer is entered into said retail terminal by retail personnel;

retrieving retail history information associated with said customer from a customer profile database;

displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on a first portion of said display monitor in response to generation of said item-entered control signal; and

displaying a customer-specific retail message based on said retail history information on a second portion of said display monitor, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message further includes the step of displaying a customer-specific advertisement on said second portion of said display monitor based on said retail information associated with the said customer.

15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying a price associated with said item for purchase on said first portion of said display monitor.

16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying said customer-specific retail message to said customer on said second portion of said display monitor.

17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message on said second portion of said display monitor includes the step of displaying said customer-specific retail message to said retail personnel on said second portion of said display monitor.

18. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising the step of reading a customer identity code from a customer card of said customer, wherein said retrieving step includes the step of retrieving said retail history information associated with said customer from said customer profile database based on said customer identity code.

19. A method of operating a retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

operating said retail terminal by retail personnel while said retail terminal is configured in an assisted mode of operation;

generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal;

displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on a first portion of a display monitor during said operating step in response to generation of said item-entered control signal; and

displaying a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of said display monitor during said operating step, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase.

20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein said retail terminal is configured to be convertible between an assisted mode of operation and a self-service mode of operation.

21. A method of operating an assisted retail terminal, comprising the steps of:

generating an item-entered control signal when an item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal;

displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on a first portion of a display monitor while said retail terminal is configured to be in an assisted mode of operation is response to generation of said item-entered control signal; and

displaying a customer-specific retail message on a second portion of said display monitor while said retail terminal is configured to be in an assisted mode of operation, wherein said step of displaying said customer-specific retail message is performed contemporaneously with said step of displaying said item information associated with said item for purchase.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein said retail terminal is configured to be convertible between an assisted mode of operation and a self-service mode of operation.

23. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal in response to a scanner reading a product identification code associated with said item for purchase.

24. The retail terminal ofclaim 7, wherein said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal in response to a scanner reading a product identification code associated with said item for purchase.

25. The method ofclaim 13, wherein said item for purchase is entered into said retail terminal in response to a scanner reading a product identification code associated with said item for purchase.

26. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: scanning an item for purchase into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to scanning said item; and displaying a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

27. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: scanning an item for purchase into said retail terminal by a self-service customer, displaying item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to scanning said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is customized based on said item for purchase scanned into the terminal by the customer during the current transaction.

28. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

29. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase into said retail terminal; displaying item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is customized based on a product entered into the terminal during the current transaction by a self-service customer.

30. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase into said retail terminal by a self-service customer; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is customized based on a product that can be used in conjunction with said item for purchase entered during the current transaction.

31. The method ofclaim 30 in which said item for purchase is a case of beer and said retail message is an advertisement for pretzels which are commonly consumed with beer.

32. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase into said retail terminal by a self-service customer; displaying item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is customized based on said item for purchase entered into the terminal during the current transaction by the customer.

33. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is an advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous transaction, the retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

34. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in an assisted checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is an advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous transaction, the retail message, being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

35. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in an assisted checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is a customer-specific message that may be viewed on said display monitor by a checkout clerk, the retail message being based on information stored in a customer-profile, associated with an identified customer, the customer profile including customer-specific information for the customer, the customer-specific information including customer purchase history for the customer.

36. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in an assisted checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message informs a checkout clerk that the customer is not old enough to purchase beer or other type of alcohol.

37. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in an assisted checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: entering an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal; displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to entering said item; and displaying a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, in order for the message to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer by a checkout clerk, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

38. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor, and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase scanned into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor contemporaneously with said display of said item information associated with said item for purchase, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile.

39. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase scanned into said retail terminal by a self-service customer,(b)display item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor retail messages into the terminal, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is customized based on said item for purchase entered by the customer during the current transaction.

40. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile associated with an identified customer.

41. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(e)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is customized based on the nature of said item for purchase entered into the terminal by the customer during the current transaction.

42. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is customized based on a product that can be used in conjunction with said item for purchase entered by the customer.

43. The terminal ofclaim 42 in which said item for purchase in a case of beer and said retail message is an advertisement for pretzels which are commonly consumed with beer.

44. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is customized based on said item for purchase entered into the terminal by the customer during the current transaction.

45. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in a self-service checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to:(a)enter an item for purchase by a self-service customer into said retail terminal;(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is an advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous transaction, the retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile associated with an identified customer.

46. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in an assisted checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to: (a)enter an item for purchase into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous transaction, the retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile associated with an identified customer.

47. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in an assisted checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to: (a)enter an item for purchase into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message is a customer-specific message that may be viewed by a checkout clerk the customer-specific message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile associated with an identified customer.

48. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in an assisted checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to: (a)enter an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, where the retail message informs a checkout clerk that the customer is not old enough to purchase the beer or other type of alcohol.

49. A retail terminal, comprising: a display monitor; a processing unit electrically coupled to said display monitor; and a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said processing unit in an assisted checkout transaction, causes said processing unit to: (a)enter an item for purchase by a customer into said retail terminal,(b)display item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to said item for purchase being entered, and(c)display a customer-specific retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with said display of said item information, in order for the message to be verbally relayed or otherwise communicated to the customer by a checkout clerk, the customer-specific retail message being based on previous purchase information stored in a customer profile associated with an identified customer.

50. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: identifying a self-service customer by reading a loyalty card using a card reader associated with said retail terminal to obtain customer identifying information; scanning an item for purchase into said retail terminal by the self-service customer, displaying item information associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to scanning said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the message is generated using the customer identifying information, as an index to retrieve previous purchase information from a stored customer profile associated with the customer.

51. The method ofclaim 50 in which the customer information is read from the customer's said loyalty card and automatically entered into said retail terminal.

52. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: instructing a self-service customer to identify himself or herself by reading a loyalty card using a card reader associated with said retail terminal scanning an item for purchase into said retail terminal by the self-service customer; displaying item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to scanning said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the message is generated using information collected when the customer applies or otherwise registers for the loyalty card, the collected information being stored in a customer profile associated with the customer.

53. A method of operating a retail terminal having a display monitor, in a self-service checkout transaction, comprising the steps of: instructing a self-service customer to identify himself or herself by reading a loyalty card using a card reader associated with said retail terminal; scanning an item for purchase into said retail terminal by the self-service customer; displaying item information including an item price and an item description associated with said item for purchase on said display monitor in response to scanning said item; and displaying a retail message on said display monitor, contemporaneously with displaying said item information, where the retail message is generated based on said item for purchase scanned into the terminal by the customer during the current transaction.

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