Method of monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal

Abstract

A method of monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal having a post-scan shelf, a bagwell with a grocery container positioned therein, and a weight scale positioned so as to detect weight of items positioned both on the post-scan shelf and in the grocery container, includes the step of detecting removal of a first number of items from the post-scan shelf with the weight scale and generating a first weight decrease value in response thereto which corresponds to the weight of the first number of items. The method also includes the step of detecting placement of a second number of items into the grocery container with the weight scale and generating a first weight increase value in response thereto which corresponds to the weight of the second number of items. The method further includes the step of comparing the first weight decrease value to the first weight increase value and generating a first match control signal in response thereto if the first weight decrease value matches the first weight increase value.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a retail checkout terminal, and more particularly to a method of monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]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 terminal concepts developed which attempt to substantially eliminate the need for a checkout clerk.[0003]A self-service checkout terminal is a system which is operated by a customer or user without the aid of a checkout clerk. In such a system, the customer scans individual items for purc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal.

[0012]It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal which reduces the instances of improprieties such a theft.

Problems solved by technology

In the retail industry, the largest expenditures are typically the cost of the goods sold followed closely by the cost of labor expended.

Moreover, it is also known that some customers may have improper intentions when using a self-service checkout terminal.

However, one drawback associated with permitting the customer to perform such shuffling of entered items is that it becomes necessary for the security system of the self-service checkout terminal to differentiate between entered items and unentered items.

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