SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES FOR PAYMENT VERIFICATION BEFORE LEAVING

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to shopping checkout procedures and in particular to checking out with a shopping cart.BACKGROUND

[0002] Markets and other types of stores seek ways to improve the speed and efficiency of the shopping experience, including the checkout process. Improving the checkout process can reduce the time and associated costs for both shoppers and store owners. For example, shopping carts may be designed to facilitate autonomous shopping, by including scales and scanners. However, store owners are still concerned about shoppers leaving a store without paying. Chinese Patent CN 107563872A describes a system for automated checkout with a shopping cart, whereby a bar code ID of the cart is recorded at a checkout register when a customer pays, and an exit gate uses bar code recognition to recover the bar code ID and to check that the ID was recorded at the checkout register. US Patent Application 2013 / 277423 describes a system for authentication checkout with a shopping basket, whereby an RFID tag on the basket is set to "paid" at a checkout and reset to "unpaid" when the basket is returned to a store. Enhancing the verification of payment may increase the reliability and security of the shopping process, whether the checkout process is an autonomous, self-checkout process or a traditional process operated by a human checkout clerk.SUMMARY

[0003] The invention is set out in appended claims. Embodiments of the present invention provide a shopping cart or collection cart and an integrated check-out system, for controlling a checkout process, and in particular, for monitoring shopping cart usage. A system for shopping checkout is provided according to claim 1.

[0004] In some embodiments falling outside the scope of the claims, the shopping cart ID tags may include visible character tags. The exit ID tag reader may be a camera configured to scan the shopping cart ID tags to generate images of the visible character tags, and the exit processor may be configured to perform optical character recognition to identify the ID values from the images.

[0005] In some embodiments falling outside the scope of the claims, the shopping cart ID tags may include bar codes, and the ID value is a computer-readable code generated by the checkout ID reader.

[0006] According to the invention as claimed, the shopping cart ID tags include RFID tags, and the exit ID tag reader and checkout ID tag reader are RFID readers.

[0007] Signaling the lack of approval at the alert device may include issuing an electronic, visual, or audible alert.

[0008] In some embodiments, the exit further includes an automatic barrier.

[0009] In some embodiments, the automatic barrier is one of a door, gate, turnstile, or bollard.

[0010] There is also provided, by embodiments of the present invention, a method for shopping checkout according to claim 5.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a shopping checkout system for verifying shopper payment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a process of a shopping checkout system for verifying shopper payment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and methods for improving validation of a shopper's payment before a shopper exits a store with a shopping cart of products. Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features or components of an actual implementation are necessarily described. Embodiments and / or limitations featured in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a checkout system 10 for verifying shopper payment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A store employs shopping carts such as shopping cart 12 so that shoppers can conveniently transport products from the store's shelves to a checkout counter 14, and, after payment at the checkout counter, transport the products through a store exit 16 to an external means of transporting the products, such as a shopper's vehicle outside the store. Shopping cart 12 typically includes standard shopping cart features, such as a basket, resting on a frame with wheels, and a handle by which to push the cart. Additional features may include wheel brakes, as well as a chain lock for releasing the cart from a group of carts upon insertion of a coin (not shown).

[0015] In the present invention, the shopping cart 12 is further equipped with one or more identification tags (ID tags), and each shopping cart in the system is assigned a unique ID. These are electronic tags 26, which may also be, for example, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a near-field communication (NFC) tag, or a magnetic tag. The electronic tag 26, which is configured to store and transmit an identification of the shopping cart, is a read-write tag, e.g., a read-write RFID tag, configured to receive, store, and subsequently transmit an approval indication, as described further hereinbelow. Alternatively, electronic tag 26 may include two contact and / or contactless tags, one for storing the shopping cart ID and a second for storing the approval indication.

[0016] The store may also employ, at the checkout counter 14, a checkout clerk, or the shopper may, at a self-checkout counter, record products collected in the shopping cart and make an appropriate payment.

[0017] In the present invention, a checkout ID tag reader 42 is positioned to scan the ID tag of a shopping cart when the shopping cart is next to the checkout counter. The checkout ID tag reader 42 is an RFID tag reader, for reading the electronic tag 26.

[0018] For security, the electronic tag 26 may be positioned in a non-obvious position on the shopping cart, such as in a sign at the side of the shopping cart that may also indicate a store logo. A checkout central processing unit (CPU) 44 may be configured to receive the values read by the checkout ID tag reader 42 (i.e., the RFID reader) and to record a respective identifying value of the shopping cart in a memory associated with the CPU.

[0019] The checkout ID tag reader 42 may be situated near the checkout counter, within a sufficiently close physical range to where a shopping cart passes so as to automatically record the value of the ID tag (i.e., the cart ID value). When the ID tag is an RFID tag, the RFID read range is set to be less than the distance between checkout counters, and less than the distance between shopping carts in a queue, so that only an ID tag of a shopping cart currently being handled at the checkout counter is read at any given time by the checkout ID tag reader. A checkout clerk, or the shopper, at a self-checkout counter may operate the ID tag reader manually to record the respective value of the ID tag.

[0020] Subsequently, a checkout computer process (CP) 44 processes the ID tag reader output. The computer process may confirm that the ID tag reader output is valid, for example, that a value provided by the reader exists in a database of existing ID tag values. Hereinbelow, computer processes such as checkout CP 44 are understood to be executed on one or more computer processors, such as dedicated controllers, personal or mobile computers, distributed or centralized computer servers, or cloud-based systems. In one embodiment, each checkout counter may be equipped with a local computer for performing checkout CP 44, and which may also be configured to receive the values read by checkout ID tag reader 42 (i.e., the RFID reader) and, in an example falling outside the scope of the claims, to record a respective ID value of the shopping cart in a computer memory, such as a database of shopping cart values and approval records, as described further hereinbelow.

[0021] The checkout CP 44 is also typically connected to the checkout payment register 48, which may also include a keypad 46, or keyboard.

[0022] The checkout register 48 may also provide an authorization to the checkout CP 44 that a payment transaction, i.e., a payment for the products in the shopping cart, has been successfully completely. The checkout CP 44 then records in memory storage an approval record (also referred to herein as an "authorization record"), indicating that payment for the products in the shopping cart has been completed. The approval record typically includes the ID value of the shopping cart as determined by the ID tag. The approval may include additional relevant information, such as a time and date and a transaction identifier and / or payment amount. In some embodiments, the checkout CP 44 may be implemented within a processor of the checkout register. Alternatively, the checkout CP 44 may be implemented by an additional processor, which may be configured as a single CPU or processing device for each store checkout register, or as a central processor for multiple checkout registers of the store. The memory storage may include, for example a system database.

[0023] In the invention, the checkout CP signals the checkout ID tag reader 42 to write an approval indication to the electronic tag 26 of the shopping cart.

[0024] From the checkout counter, the shopper proceeds with the shopping cart to the store exit 16. At the exit, an exit ID tag reader 62, similar to the checkout ID tag reader 42, automatically reads at least one of the one or more ID tags of the shopping cart. Note that if the shopping cart has more than one ID tag, the exit ID tag 62 reader may be configured to read a different ID tag than the checkout ID tag reader 42.

[0025] In an example falling outside the scope of the claims, the cart ID value that is read may be received from the exit ID tag reader 62 by an exit CP 64. The exit CP 64 may implemented on the same processor as the CP 44. Alternatively, in an example falling outside the scope of the claims, the checkout CP 44 and the exit CP 64 may run on separate processors, and they communicate with each other such that the value of the cart ID is compared with the records of approved carts. In this example each time a new shopping cart record is approved by the checkout CP 44 , the checkout CP 44 may send the new approved record to the exit CP 64 , to be stored at the CPU 64 . Alternatively, in this example, the exit CP 64 may send a query to the checkout CP 44 upon determining an ID of a new shopping cart at the exit, in order to query the approval records. In either case, in this example, if the ID of the shopping cart is indicated in the records of the authorized (i.e., "approved") shopping carts, the exit CP 64 allows the shopping cart to exit 16 without blocking the exit, for example, by opening an automatic barrier, such as an automatic door 66 .

[0026] In the invention, the checkout CP is configured to signal the checkout ID tag reader 42 to write an approval indication to the electronic tag 26 (or to a second electronic tag of the shopping cart dedicated to storing the approval indication). The exit ID tag reader 62 is configured to read the approval indication from the electronic tag 26 , thereby confirming that the shopping cart is approved to exit. The exit ID tag reader 62 also resets the approval indication of the electronic tag 26 after signaling the exit CP 64 to open the automatic barrier. Once the approval indication is reset, the cart (after being returned to the store) must again pass the cashier before exiting.

[0027] If the shopping cart is not approved to exit, the exit CP 64 prevents opening of the automatic door 66 , or otherwise maintains a similar barrier, such as gate, turnstile, or bollard. The exit CPU 64 also issues an alert, such as an audible or visible alert device 68. The alert device 68 may be, for example, a light or a speaker, or both. In some embodiments, alert device 68 is a light that is green when an approved shopping cart passes and then turn is red, for example a flashing red, when an unapproved shopping cart passes. The full process of checkout and verification is described further hereinbelow. It should be noted that automatic doors 66 may be opened by the CP 64 upon verification that the shopping cart is an approved shopping cart. Alternatively, or additionally, there may be at the exit, a turnstile, similarly configured to allow a shopper with a shopping cart to pass only if the shopping cart is approved. Alternatively, in an example falling outside the scope of the claims, the exit mechanism (e.g., door or turnstile) may be activated without verification (i.e., not operated by the exit CP 64 , but for example by a standard proximity sensor). In this example, rather than operating an exit mechanism, the exit CP 64 , upon identifying a shopping cart that lacks approval (e.g., identification of a cart that does not have an approval record), may issue an alert, for example, by activating an audible or visible alert device 68. The alert device 68 may be for example a light or a speaker, or both. In some embodiments of this example, alert device 68 is a light that may be configured to signal verification or non-verification with different colors. For example, green may be lit when an approved shopping cart passes and red may be lit if there is no verification, or, for example a flashing red may be used to indicate an unapproved shopping cart passing. Alternatively, or additionally, in this example, upon determining a lack of approval, the exit CP may issue an electronic alert, such as communicating a message to an "alert device" that is a computer station or mobile device of a store staff or manager, who may then manually determine whether the shopper has or has not paid for the products in the shopping cart.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a process 100 of a shopping checkout system for verifying shopper payment, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] At a step 102 , a shopping cart having an ID tag reaches the checkout counter and the shopping cart ID tag is scanned by one or more checkout ID tag readers. As described above, the ID tag is an electronic tag (for example, an RFID, NFC, or magnetic tag). The checkout ID tag reader may be an RFID tag reader or a magnetic tag reader. In some embodiments, multiple ID tags may be affixed to shopping carts.

[0030] Typically scanning is performed automatically by an ID tag reader positioned in a fixed position at or near the checkout counter. Alternatively, a checkout clerk, or the shopper at a self-checkout counter, may manually point an ID tag reader towards the ID tag to acquire a scan of the ID tag.

[0031] At a step 104 , a checkout computer process (CP) may process the ID tag reader output and validate the ID tag reader output by confirming, for example, that the value of the ID tag is in a database of ID tag values. If the tag value is not valid, then, at a step 106, the checkout clerk and / or the shopper are alerted that the tag was not validated. Additional scans may be attempted and a store manager, for example, may be notified if validation after multiple attempts is not possible.

[0032] If the tag is validated, then, at a step 108 , the checkout CP receives an indication of payment approval, either by being entered manually by a checkout clerk, or transmitted manually, for example from the checkout register. If the payment is not approved, then, at a step 110 , the transaction is cancelled. Otherwise, at a step 112 , the checkout CP sets an approval flag, or an approval record associated with the value of the ID tag (i.e., the ID value of the cart). The checkout CP signals the checkout ID tag reader to write an approval indication to the RFID of the shopping cart.

[0033] At a step 120 , the shopper proceeds with of the shopping cart to the store exit (or to one of multiple store exits that may be configured similarly). The exit ID tag reader is configured to read the approval indication, confirming that the shopping cart is approved to exit.

[0034] If the shopping cart is approved to exit, then at a step 124 , the exit CP operates the exit mechanism (e.g., automatic doors) to allow the shopping cart to exit. Additionally, an alert device, such as an exit light or speaker, may be triggered to indicate that shopping card is approved, for example by lighting a green light.

[0035] If the shopping cart is not approved, then at a step 118 , the alert device is triggered to signal the lack of approval, for example by sounding a warning sound or flashing a red light, or by providing an electronic indication to a store supervisor or other store staff. (Note that whereas the exit doors are operated at step 124 when the shopping cart is approved, at step 118 the exit doors are typically not opened.)

[0036] At a step 130 , once a cart has been permitted to exit, the exit CP deletes or amends the approval indication on the cart RFID to indicate that the shopping cart must be re-approved before exiting again. In some embodiments, a separate entrance ID tag reader performs the task of scanning shopping cart entering the store. A log file may also be maintained including additional information such as when a cart was authorized, when it left a store, and when it subsequently was returned.

[0037] Although the present cart and system are described herein with respect to a store environment, such as a supermarket, it should be understood that the cart and system could be implemented in a warehouse (to control inventory, prevent theft, etc.) or other appropriate settings. As such, the cart and system can be considered to provide the application of a platform for collecting and subsequently distributing products. The front-end device or application implementing the above-described method may be an add-on, or upgrade, or a retrofit to a commercial systems for checkout processing.

[0038] Processing elements of the system described herein, with respect to system 20 and process 100 , may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof. Such elements can be implemented as a computer program product, tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as a non-transient, machine-readable storage device, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, such as a programmable processor, computer, or controller. Such a computer program may be deployed to be executed on multiple computers at one site or one or more across multiple sites. Memory storage for software and data may include multiple one or more memory units, including one or more types of storage media. Examples of storage media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media, optical media, and integrated circuits such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Network interface modules may control the sending and receiving of data packets over wired or wireless networks known in the art.

Claims

1. A system for shopping checkout comprising: shopping carts (12), on which are affixed one or more shopping cart identification (ID) tags, including, for each shopping cart, an electronic tag (26); a checkout counter (14) comprising: a checkout ID tag reader (42), a payment register (48) and a checkout processor (44), wherein the checkout processor (44) is configured to receive payment approvals from the payment register (48), to receive an ID value of the shopping cart electronic tag (26) from output of the checkout ID tag reader (42), and responsively to generate and signal the checkout ID tag reader (42) to write a shopping cart approval indication associated with the ID value to the electronic tag (26); and a store exit (16) comprising an exit ID tag reader (62), an exit processor (64), and an alert device, wherein the exit processor (64) is configured to read, using the exit ID tag reader (62), the shopping cart approval indication stored on the shopping cart electronic tag (26) to confirm whether or not the shopping cart has approval to exit, if not, to signal a lack of approval at the alert device, and, when approved, to open an automatic barrier (66); characterized in that the exit processor (64) is further configured, after opening the automatic barrier (66), to reset, using the exit ID tag reader (62), the approval indication of the electronic tag (26), so that the shopping cart, after being returned to the store, must again pass the checkout counter (14) before exiting.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the shopping cart electronic tag comprises an RFID tag and wherein the exit ID tag reader and checkout ID tag reader (42) are RFID readers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein signaling the lack of approval at the alert device comprises issuing an electronic, visual, or audible alert.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the exit further comprises the automatic barrier, and wherein the automatic barrier is one of a door, gate, turnstile, or bollard.

5. A method for shopping checkout comprising: affixing a shopping cart electronic tag (26) to a shopping cart (12); at a checkout counter (14) having a payment register (48), a checkout ID tag reader (42) and a checkout processor (44), receiving, at the checkout processor, payment approval from the payment register, receiving, at the checkout processor, a value of the shopping cart electronic tag (26) from output of the checkout ID tag reader (42), and responsively storing, by the checkout processor and using the checkout ID tag reader (42), a shopping cart approval indication associated with the ID value to the electronic tag (26); and, at a store exit (16) having an exit ID tag reader (62), an exit processor (64), and an alert device, to read, by the exit processor, using the exit ID tag reader (62), the shopping cart approval indication stored on the electronic tag (26), confirming, by the exit processor, whether or not the shopping cart has approval to exit, if not, signaling, by the exit processor,of a lack of approval at the alert device, and, when approved, opening, by the exit processor, an automatic barrier (66); characterized in, after opening the automatic barrier (66), resetting, by the exit processor, using the exit ID tag reader (26), the approval indication of the electronic tag (26), so that the shopping cart, after being returned to the store, must again pass the checkout counter (14) before exiting.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the shopping cart electronic tag comprises an RFID tag and wherein the exit ID tag reader and checkout ID tag reader are RFID readers.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein signaling the lack of approval at the alert device comprises issuing an electronic, visual, or audible alert.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the store exit further comprises the automatic barrier (66), and wherein the automatic barrier is one of a door, gate, turnstile, or bollard.