CA1290453C - Cashierless checkout system - Google Patents
Cashierless checkout systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1290453C CA1290453C CA000586814A CA586814A CA1290453C CA 1290453 C CA1290453 C CA 1290453C CA 000586814 A CA000586814 A CA 000586814A CA 586814 A CA586814 A CA 586814A CA 1290453 C CA1290453 C CA 1290453C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- section
- money
- passcard
- control
- goods
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F9/00—Shop, bar, bank or like counters
- A47F9/02—Paying counters
- A47F9/04—Check-out counters, e.g. for self-service stores
- A47F9/046—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters
- A47F9/047—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant
- A47F9/048—Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters for recording self-service articles without cashier or assistant automatically
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
- G07G1/00—Cash registers
- G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
- G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
- G07G1/0054—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader with control of supplementary check-parameters, e.g. weight or number of articles
Abstract
CASHIERLESS CHECKOUT SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure A checkout system includes a plurality of purchased goods entry terminals having a scanning section, a display section, a printing section and a passcard issuing section for issuing a passcard that includes customer identification and an amount of money, a plurality of money receiving terminals separated from the entry terminals and having a passcard read/write section, a money receiving section, a printer, and a displaying section, the read/write section recording the reception of money for goods, an exit gate control unit having a passcard checker for checking the payment of money and an exit gate controller to allow customers to pass through the exit gate, and a control and processing unit (CPU) coupled to the entry terminals, the money receiving terminals and the exit gate control unit to assure correct payment of money for the purchased goods.
Abstract of the Disclosure A checkout system includes a plurality of purchased goods entry terminals having a scanning section, a display section, a printing section and a passcard issuing section for issuing a passcard that includes customer identification and an amount of money, a plurality of money receiving terminals separated from the entry terminals and having a passcard read/write section, a money receiving section, a printer, and a displaying section, the read/write section recording the reception of money for goods, an exit gate control unit having a passcard checker for checking the payment of money and an exit gate controller to allow customers to pass through the exit gate, and a control and processing unit (CPU) coupled to the entry terminals, the money receiving terminals and the exit gate control unit to assure correct payment of money for the purchased goods.
Description
~ 29~)453 , ~ .
CASHIERLESS CHECXO~T S~STEM
Back~round ~ the Invention The present invention relates to a system for checking out goods or merchandise in a supermarket or like business entity without the aid or benefit of a cashier or checkout clerk.
As prior art of a cashierless checkou-t system, it is known that such system discloses a checkout gate comprising a scanning unit which permits the customers to scan their purchased goods, a purchased goods bin into which the purchased goods are deposited, a money settling device through which the customers pay money for their purchased goods, and a shutter section adapted to open a shutter of an outlet of the purchased yoods bin at the completion of the payment of money to permit the customers to take out their purchased goods.
One drawback of the above-mentioned prior art is that the customers cannot take out their purchased goods for a period of time even though they have paid the money for such goods. The shutter section of this checkout operation takes a lot of time and causes a jammed condition at the checkout gate. An alternative proposal has been made wherein such jamming at the checkout gate or other time-consuming operations are relieved by separating the entry of purchased goods from the money receiving operation. However, even in this latter proposal, the separation of the purchased goods entry from the money receiving operation causes another problem in that the amount of money received is not always assured or correct.
,,~ ~.. , ~LX9(~53 Additional documentation in the area of automated checkout systems includes U.S. Pat. ~o.
3,519,993, issued to K. Sakai et al. on July 7, 1970, which discloses an automatic ticket gate providing for bidirectional passage and includes entrance and exit ticket slots, a ticket reader, and a passenger direction detection circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,625, issued to Y. Mizuta et al. on September 29, 1970, discloses an automatic ticket gate for receiving a plurality of tickets in rapid succession, for examination of the tickets with respect to validity and for returning the tickets to the owners.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,932, issued to T. Morita on February 2, 1971, discloses an automatic ticket examining system and gate control system including a plurality of ticket gates wherein at least one gate performs all the functions of a complete gate, that is, receiving a ticket, checking its validity, opening or closing the gateway, and returning or collecting the ticket.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,206, issued to K. Osaki et al. on July 4, 1972, discloses an automatic ticket gate wherein information on a ticket is read and depending upon whether the information is valid or not, allows or dlsallows the ticket owner to pass through the gate, such gate permitting a predetermined number of misreadings of the ticket.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,697, lssued to S. M. Weir on February 13, 1973, discloses an automatic marketing system wherein display scales are provided with means for sensing the weight of articles therein, while card readers are associated with the scales to identify customers selecting the articles. Data processing equipment provides the customer with a printout of the articles and the cost.
1;~904~i3 U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,933, issued to T. Tanaka et al. on February 3, 1976, discloses an automatic article vending mac~line that uses a card having a predetermined monetary value which is decreased by the value of the article purchased with the card.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,213, issued to Y.
Nakamura on January 10, 1978, discloses a merchandise checkout system including a credit card reader operated by the customer. The credit card is encoded with an amount of money and a result is displayed and printed on a receipt and journal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,677, issued to H~ S.
Sarwin on June 4, 1985, discloses a product control system for a supermarket which includes a bar code reader at the checkout terminal for reading bar codes that are displayed on the various shelves.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,083, issued to J. J.
Bogasky on April 15, 1986, discloses a checkout station including means through which a shopper must pass for dispossessing the shopper of items for purchase, sensing means for detecting the items, cashier stations separated from the sensing means for printing the cost of the items and for receiving payment for the items, and a pickup area where the shopper picks up the items.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,619, issued to R. A. Fry on April 22, 1986, discloses an automatic gate for a checkout lane which is controlled by the cash register lock key.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,343, issued to D. R.
Humble et al. on June 30, 1987, discloses a self-service distribution system that includes a laser scanner for reading UPC labels on products presented to the scanner by the customer. The products go through a tunnel and are weighed to provide a printed list and a price to the customer who then pays the cashier.
` ~ 29()4~3 U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,154, issued to D.M.
Blanford on July 7, 1987, discloses a scanning cantrol system for merchandise checkout that includes a scanning assembly, a display, a processor and a data terminal device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,357, issued to S. Douno et al. on August 11, 1987, discloses a method for confirming settled check cards and check card drawing apparatus which may be used to cash a check or to deposit in an account. The check card can be used with an automated teller machine (ATM) or with an on-line teller machine (OTM).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,575, issued to J. W.
Sloan on March 15, 1988, discloses a prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards which the customer inserts into a card reader on the premises.
The card reader is coupled to a processor based control device which records the amount and the rate of usage along with the customer account number.
And, U.S. Patent No. 4,775,782, issued to ~.
M. Mergenthaler et al. on October 4, 1988, discloses a checkout system including a scanner, display means, a keyboard, a card reader, and processing means enabling the customer to finalize and pay for the items.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a cashierless checkout system which permits the checking out of goods or merchandise in a supermarket or like business entity without the aid or benefit of a cashier or checkout clerk. More particularly, the present invention discloses a checkout system that includes a purchased goods entry terminal wherein a passcard is issued to the customer, a money receiving terminal wherein the passcard is interpreted and processed in a read/write section to pay for the purchased goods, and an exit ga~e control unit which : ` :
~ Z90~53 checks the passcard and permits exit oE the customer after correct payment for the goods.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cashierless checkout system comprising one or more purchased goods entry terminals, each including a scanning section for scanning code data displayed on the purchased goods, a displaying section, and a printing section for respectively displaying and printing the purchased goods code data thus scanned, and a passcard issuing section for issuing a passcard on which an identification number of the customer and an amount of money are recorded corresponding to the value of the scanned goods, one or more money receiving terminals which are separated from said purchased goods entry terminals and each money receiving terminal including a passcard read/write section for performing reading and/or writing operations of data on said passcard, a money receiving section for receiving the amount of money for the goods, a printer section for issuing a receipt and a display for displaying amount data and necessary expression thereon, said passcard including money received data written from said passcard read/write section after the reception of said amount of money, an exit gate control unit which is provided in the vicinity of an outlet of a checkout area and which includes a passcard checker for checking said passcard to determine whether or not said amount of money is received and an exit gate controller for controlling an exit gate so as to enable the customers to exit under the control of said passcard checker, and a control and processing unit which is coupled to said purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals, and said exit gate control unit so as to control the operations of said purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals, and said exit gate control unit thus coupled therewith and to~
.
~ 129~a~53 store sold goods data for arithmetic operation, whereby the money receiving operation is ensured by enabling the passing of customers through said separately provided purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals and said exit gate control unit with the use of said passcard.
In view of the above discussion, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a checkout system without the aid or benefit of a cashier or a checkout clerk.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a checkout system which includes goods scanning terminals, separate money receiving terminals and an exit gate enabling customers to exit from the checkout area after correct payment of money for the purchase of goods.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a chéckout system including goods scanning terminals, money receiving terminals and control means coupled to said goods scanning terminals and to said money receiving terminals to enable exit of said customers after payment for the purchased goods.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cashierless checkout system in a checkout area wherein the customer's entry operation of purchased goods is separated from the money receiving operation and the money received i.s ensured with the use of passcards which permit only those customers who have paid the correct amount for their purchased goods to pass through the exit gate provided at the exit of the checkout area.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent and fully understood from a reading of the following description taken together with the annexed drawing.
...
1 '. "
..:
.
~29[)453 Brief Description of the Drawing Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a cashierless checkout system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2A is a block diagram of the structure of the purchased goods entry terminal;
Fig. 2B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the purchased goods entry terminal shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A is a block diagram of the structure of the money receiving terminal;
Fig. 3B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the money receiving terminal shown in Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is a block diagram of the structure of the exit gate control unit; and Fig. 4B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the exit gate control unit shown in Fig. 4A.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment A preerred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of the structure of the cashierless checkout system for use in a store or like business entity. The checkout area 10 in the store is illustrated as being that area within the boundary of the heavy solid line 12. A plurality of purchased goods entry terminals, as 14, 16, are located at the entrance to the checkout area 10 for the convenience of the customers who have selected goods for purchase.
Each of the entry terminals 14, 16 includes a scanning section 18 conveniently located for scanning purchased goods, a printing section 20 for printing data corresponding to the purchased goods which are ~;~9~)~53 scanned, and a passcard issuing section 22 for issuing passcards 24 to the customers. The passcards 24 include information which gives the total amount of the purchased goods and the customers' id~ntification numbers. A displaying section 26, also placed in a convenient location, provides the customer with information concerning the purchased goods and the prices thereof.
A plurality of money receiving terminals, as 28, 30, are separated in physical location from the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16. Each of the money receiving terminals 28~ 30 includes a passcard Read/Write tR/W~ section 32 for performing reading/
writing operations of passcards 24 issued from any of the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16. Each of the money receiving terminals 28, 30 includes a money receiving section 34 through which the customers pay money for their purchased goods and receive their change, a printer section 36 for issuing receipts to the customers, and a display section 38 for viewing of the transactions by the customers.
An exit gate control unit gO is provided in the vicinity of a customer outlet 42 of the checkout area 10 and which control unit includes a passcard checker 44 for reading and collecting the passcards 24 which are issued from the passcard issuing section 22 of the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and into which data is written indicating that the money is received in the money receiving section 34 of the money receiving terminals 28, 30. An exit gate controller 46 of the control unit 40 operates to open a gate 48 in accordance with money received data read out from the passcards 24 to enable the customers to pass through the gate 48 and to the outside of the checkout area 10.
A control and processing unit 50 is provided for controlling the operations of the purchased goods ~29~53 g entry terminals 14, 16, the money receiving terminals 28, 30, and the exit gate control unit 40, and also for processing and storing sold goods data, unpaid goods data, settlement data and the like.
Next, the checkout operation and procedure of the cashierless checkout system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the drawing, the dotted line 52 indicates a path through the checkout area 10 and along which a customer advances to perform the various checkout operations. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the customer uses the purchased goods entry terminal 14 and the money receiving terminal 28, such terminals showing issuance of a passcard 24 at the passcard issuing section 22 and the use of the passcard at the passcard R/W section 32.
The customer initiates and enables scanning of the bar codes on the purchased goods through the scanning section 18 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14. An automatic scanner which permits automatic scanning of the bar codes may be used, such as an ACM 650 Cashier Station which is available from Check Robot Co., Ltd. The data thus scanned by the scanning section 18 is sent to the control and processing unit 50 to be processed and stored therein, to be displayed on the displaying section 26 of the purchased goods entry terminal 1~, and to be printed on a purchased goods detailed sheet (not shown) by the printing section 20 of the terminal 14. At the completion of scanning of all the purchased goods, a final key (not shown) is depressed by the customer to send a finalized signal to the control and processing unit S0 which, in turn, receives the finalized signal to calculate the total amount of the purchased goods as seen by the scanning section 18 and to store the amount thus calculated in an unpaid goods data file.
The finalized signal also enables the control and : 129~1453 pr~cessing unit 50 to actuate the passcard issuing section 22 to issue a passcard 24 in which the customer's ID number and the total amount of the purchased goods are magnetically recorded and also to actuate the printing section 20 to print the total amount of the purchased goods on the purchased goods detailed sheet to be issued to the customer.
Next, the customer goes to the money receiving terminal 28 with the purchased goods detailed sheet and with the passcard 24 issued from the issuing section 22 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 to pay the money for the purchased goods.
When the customer inserts the passcard 24 into the R/W
Section 32 of the money receiving terminal 28, the customer's ID number and the total amount of money owed for the purchased goods are read and sent to the control and processing unit 50 to be collated therein and compared with the identification tID) number and the total amount of money stored therein and displayed on the display section 38 of the terminal 28. The customer pays the correct amount of money for the purchased goods by putting cash into the money receiving section 34 of the terminal Z8 without the aid of a salesclerk or the use of a prepaid card or the like. The money receiving section 34 discharges or dispenses any necessary change in the overall transaction. At the completion of the money receiving operation, the control and processing unit 50 stores the result of the transaction in a money received data file, actuates the passcard R/W section 32 to issue the passcard 24 (or a passcard which may be different from the above-mentioned passcard) on which the money received is recorded, and then actuates the printer section 36 of terminal 28 to issue a receipt of the purchased goods to the customer.
The customer then goes to the exit gate control unit 40 and inserts the passcard 24 into the ~L2904S3 passcard checker 44. When the passcard checker 44 confirms that the correct amount of money is received, the passcard 24 is withdrawn and a command signal is sent from the passcard checker 44 to the exit gate controller 46 of control unit gO to open the gate 48 to enable only those customers to pass therethrough who have paid the correct amount of money for their purchased goods.
The individual terminals and the units employed in the cashierless checkout system according to the present invention will be more concretely described with reference to Figs. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A
and 4B. Along with the control and processing unit 50, various other control units (not shown) such as a personal computer, an office computer and the like may be employed in accordance with the overall number of purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and the number of money receiving terminals 28, 30. In this embodiment, it is preferred that an office computer is employed. The structure of such office computer is well known in the art, so that the description thereof is omitted here and only the operation thereof will be described with reference to a flow chart of the drawina.
The purchased goods entry terminal 14 will be described in more detail relative to the operation thereof. Fig. 2A shows the structure of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 and E~ig. 2B is a flow chart of the data processing operation from the purchased goods entry terminal 14 to the control and processing unit 50. The purchased goods entry terminal 14 consists of a keyboard section 52, the displaying section 26, the scanning section 18, the printing section 20, the passcard issuing section 22, a control section 54 and an interface section 56 coupled to the control and processing unit S0.
~Z~
When a customer depresses a start key (Fig.
2B) on the keyboard section 52 (Fig. 2A) in order to start a scanning operation for the registration of the purchased goods, a start signal is sent from the keyboard section 52 (Fig. 2A) to the control section 54 which, in turn, transmits the start signal thus received to the control and processing unit 50 via the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the start signal and waits until a purchased goods data signal is transmitted thereto (Blocks 58 and 60 in Fig. 2B). Then, the customer initiates and enables scanning of the purchased goods by means of the scanning section 18. Purchased goods data is read out by the scanning section 18 and is sent to the control section 54 and then to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the purchased goods data (Block 60) and retrieves the price of one of the purchased goods from a Price Look Up (PLU) file and reads out the price of the goods (Block 62). The price of one of the purchased goods thus read out (the goods price data) is stored in an unpaid goods registration file of the control and processing unit 50 together with the store purchased goods data thus received (Block 64) and then such goods price data is sent to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Block 66). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the goods price data and sends such data to the displaying section 26 and to the printing section 20. The displaying section 26 displays the price of the purchased goods based on the goods price data from the control section 54 and the printing section 20 prints the price of the purchased goods on a purchased goods detailed sheet (Block 66). All of the remaining purchased goods are scanned by the scanning section 18 and are stored in the unpaid registration file of the ~i~9C~453 control and processing unit 50 in th~ same manner as described above.
The customer then depresses a final key on the keyboard section 52 at the completion of the scanning operation and of the registration of the store purchased goods. When the final key is depressed, a registration final signal is output from the keyboard section 52 and is sent to the control and processing unit 50 through the control section 54 and through the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the registration final signal and calculates the total price amount of the store purchased goods (Blocks 68 and 70). The total amount-of-money data is stored in the unpaid goods registration file of the control and processing unit 50 and also is sent to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Blocks 72 and 74). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the record of the total amount of money and outputs data thereon to the displaying section 26 and the printing section 20 of terminal 14. The total amount of money is displayed on the displaying section 26 for viewing by the customer and also is printed on the purchased goods detailed sheet by the printing section 20. Then, the control and processing unit 50 sends the identification (ID) number of the customer and a command for issuing a passcard signal to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Block 76). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the ID number and the command for issuing the passcard signal and outputs the total amount of money owed for the store purchased goods to the passcard issuing section 22 together with the ID number and the command signal thus received. The passcard issuing section 22 receives the command for issuing a passcard and dispenses or passes out a passcard 24 stored therewithin and magnetically records the ID number and - 1~9(~53 the total amount of money thereon. The customer receives the passcard 24 and goes to the money receiving terminal 28 for payment of the store purchased goods~
The money receiving terminal 28 will be described in more detail relative to the operatio~
thereof. Fig. 3A shows the structure of the money receiving terminal 28 and Fig. 3B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit 50.
As shown in Fig. 3A, the money receiving terminal 28 includes the passcard read/write (R/W) section 32, the display section 38, the money receiving section 34, the printer section 36, a control section 80 and an interface section 82 coupled to the control and processing unit 50. The money receiving section 34 includes a cash receiving section 84 r a counting section 86, a cash storing section 88 and a cash disbursing section 90 coupled along with the counting section 86 to the control section 80.
When the customer inserts the passcard 2 into the passcard R/W section 32 (Fig. 3A) at the completion of the scanning operation and registration of the store purchased goods, the passcard R/W section 32 reads out content data that is recorded on the passcard 24 and sends the data thus read out (the passcard data) to the control and processing unit S0 through the control section 80 and the interface section 82. The control and processing unit 50 receives the passcard data from the money receiving terminal 28, reads out the total amount of money from the unpaid goods registration eile of the control and processing unit 50 which is based on the ID number in the passcard data (Blocks 92 and 94 in Fig. 3B) and sends the total amount of money data thus read out to the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 96). The control section 80 of the money receiving terminal 28 outputs the total amount of money data thus received ~2904S~
to the display section 38 to be displayed to the customer.
When the customer pays money for the store purchased goods to the money receiving section 34, the cash receiving section ~4 receives bills and coins and feeds the money to the counting section 86 which, in turn, counts the bills and coins received and then calculates the total amount of money that the customer has paid. The counting section 86 sends received cash data on the total amount of the paid money thus calculated to the control and processing unit 50 through the control section 80 and the interface section 82 and also feeds the bills and coins thus counted to the cash storing section 88 to be stored therein. The control section 80 calculates the difference (change) between the total amount of money to be paid which is sent from the control and `~
processing unit 50 through the interface section 82 and the total amount of money received which .is sent from the counting section 86. In case change is made, the control section 80 sends the amount oE change and a change disbursing signal to the cash disbursing section 90 and displays the amount of change on the display section 38. Further, the control section 80 sends change data to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 82. The control and processing unit S0 receives the received money data and the change data from the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 98) and stores the customer's ID number, the received money data, and the change data in the paid goods registration file (Block 100) and erases the data on the customer who paid money for the store purchased goods from the unpaid goods registration file (Block 102). Then, the control and processing unit 50 sends a receipt issuing signal and a passcard reissuing signal to the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 104). The control section 80 of the money ~L2904S3 receiving terminal 28 receives the receipt issuing signal and the passcard reissuing signal and sends print data (the total amount of money to be paid, the total amount of money received, and the amount of change) to the printer section 36 and also sends pay up data indicating that the money has already been paid to the passcard R/W section 32. The printer section 36 receives the print data from the control section 80 and prints the data on a receipt to be issued to the customer. The passcard R/W section 32 receives the pay up data from the control section 80 and magnetically records the data on the passcard 24 to be issued to the customer. The customer receives the receipt and the pay up passcard, and the change from the cash disbursing section 90 and then goes to the exit gate control unit 40.
The exit gate control unit 40 provides the controls necessary to enable the customer to pass from the checkout area 10 and through the exit gate q8 (Fig. 1). Fig. 4A shows the structure of the exit gate control unit 40 and Fig. 4B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit 50 in relation to the exit gate control unit 40. As shown in Fig. 4A, the exit gate control unit 40 includes the passcard checker 44, the exit gate controller 46, a control section 106 and an interface section 108 coupled to the control and processing unit 50. The passcard checker 44 includes a passcard receiving/returning section 110 and a passcard R/W
section 112.
When the customer inserts the passcard 24 into the passcard checker 44 of the exit gate control unit 40 at the completion of payment for the store purchased goods, the passcard receiving section 110 feeds the passcard 24 to the passcard R/W section 112 which receives the passcard 24, reads out the data magnetically recorded thereon and outputs the data ;
, ... .. ~ . ~
~9~)4S3 ~ 17 -thus read out to the control section 106. Then, the control section 106, upon receipt of the data on the passcard 24, recognizes the pay up data in the read out data, sends a permission signal for gate opening to the exit gate controller 46, and simulataneously therewith, transmits passcard recovery data, including the ID number of the customer from whom the passcard 24 has been recovered, to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 108 of the exit gate control unit 40. The control and processing unit 50 receives the passcard recovery data thus transmitted to register the customer's ID number in a recovery data file (Blocks 114 and 116 in Fig. 4B).
The exit gate controller 46 receives the permission signal for gate opening to output a gate open signal to open the gate 48 through which the customer can exit from the checkout area 10. The gate 48 is opened by the gate open signal and the customer goes outside the checkout area 10 through the gate 48 with the store purchased goods.
However, on the other hand, when no pay up data i5 found on the passcard 2~, the control section 106 outputs a passcard return signal to the passcard receiving and returning section 110 ~Fig. 4A) which discharges the passcard 24 through an outlet thereof upon receiving the passcard return signal. The system may be so designed as to announce by voice that the customer is to pay up the money or to display an amount owed when no pay up data is found. In this case, the customer can not go outside the checkout area 10 until he goes to the money receiving terminal 28 with the passcard 24 thus returned and pays up the correct amount of money.
There may be provided a plurality of gates such as those used at gateways to a wicket or a recreation garden through which the customers can go in and out one by one. Alternatively, the gate 48 may .
:1290453 be constituted by a conventional door, wherein a plurality of customers can pass through the gate ~8 at the same time, as long as measures are taken not to pass a customer who does not pay up the owed money.
As one of the proposed measures, the system may be so constructed as to detect a person who intends to pass through the gate 48 with a passcard 24 and thereby raise an alarm of the fact that a person who has not paid the correct amount of money still has the passcard 24 in his or her possession. $he system can be constructed such that an antenna of a predetermined configuration is printed on the passcard 24 in the form of a sheet and the antenna is sensed when the passcard passes through the gate 48. This antenna sensing technique is well known in the art, so that the description thereof is omitted.
In addition, there may be provided separate paths and exits (not shown) which permit a person who does not purchase any goods to go outside without passing in the path 52 along the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and the money receiving terminals 28, 30 in the checkout area 10.
It is thus seen that herein shown and described is a cashierless checkout system having an advantage that jamming or crowded conditions in the checkout area can be relieved by separating the entry and scanning of purchased goods from the payment of the money. In addition, a passcard is issued to each customer to enable the customer to pass through the gate provided at the exit of the checkout area. The system permits the customer who has paid the correct amount of money for the store purchased goods to go outside the checkout area and thereby ensure that the money has been received for the purchased goods.
Further, the number of purchased goods entry terminals and the number of money receiving terminals to be installed can be separately and freely selected in ~L290453 accordance with various conditions such as the type of store and experience of customers in operating the various terminals. In addition, a customer can selectively use a disengaged terminal in certain instances which may include practice or training in the operations of the system, so that the terminals can be used effectively. Accordingly, there is provided a cashierless checkout system by which the checking out operation is effectively and advantageously performed.
The structure and arrangement of the present invention enable the accomplishment of the objects and advantages mentioned above, and while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, variations thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that all such variations not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention hereof are to be construed in accordance with the following claims.
,:, ' '
CASHIERLESS CHECXO~T S~STEM
Back~round ~ the Invention The present invention relates to a system for checking out goods or merchandise in a supermarket or like business entity without the aid or benefit of a cashier or checkout clerk.
As prior art of a cashierless checkou-t system, it is known that such system discloses a checkout gate comprising a scanning unit which permits the customers to scan their purchased goods, a purchased goods bin into which the purchased goods are deposited, a money settling device through which the customers pay money for their purchased goods, and a shutter section adapted to open a shutter of an outlet of the purchased yoods bin at the completion of the payment of money to permit the customers to take out their purchased goods.
One drawback of the above-mentioned prior art is that the customers cannot take out their purchased goods for a period of time even though they have paid the money for such goods. The shutter section of this checkout operation takes a lot of time and causes a jammed condition at the checkout gate. An alternative proposal has been made wherein such jamming at the checkout gate or other time-consuming operations are relieved by separating the entry of purchased goods from the money receiving operation. However, even in this latter proposal, the separation of the purchased goods entry from the money receiving operation causes another problem in that the amount of money received is not always assured or correct.
,,~ ~.. , ~LX9(~53 Additional documentation in the area of automated checkout systems includes U.S. Pat. ~o.
3,519,993, issued to K. Sakai et al. on July 7, 1970, which discloses an automatic ticket gate providing for bidirectional passage and includes entrance and exit ticket slots, a ticket reader, and a passenger direction detection circuit.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,625, issued to Y. Mizuta et al. on September 29, 1970, discloses an automatic ticket gate for receiving a plurality of tickets in rapid succession, for examination of the tickets with respect to validity and for returning the tickets to the owners.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,932, issued to T. Morita on February 2, 1971, discloses an automatic ticket examining system and gate control system including a plurality of ticket gates wherein at least one gate performs all the functions of a complete gate, that is, receiving a ticket, checking its validity, opening or closing the gateway, and returning or collecting the ticket.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,206, issued to K. Osaki et al. on July 4, 1972, discloses an automatic ticket gate wherein information on a ticket is read and depending upon whether the information is valid or not, allows or dlsallows the ticket owner to pass through the gate, such gate permitting a predetermined number of misreadings of the ticket.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,697, lssued to S. M. Weir on February 13, 1973, discloses an automatic marketing system wherein display scales are provided with means for sensing the weight of articles therein, while card readers are associated with the scales to identify customers selecting the articles. Data processing equipment provides the customer with a printout of the articles and the cost.
1;~904~i3 U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,933, issued to T. Tanaka et al. on February 3, 1976, discloses an automatic article vending mac~line that uses a card having a predetermined monetary value which is decreased by the value of the article purchased with the card.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,213, issued to Y.
Nakamura on January 10, 1978, discloses a merchandise checkout system including a credit card reader operated by the customer. The credit card is encoded with an amount of money and a result is displayed and printed on a receipt and journal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,677, issued to H~ S.
Sarwin on June 4, 1985, discloses a product control system for a supermarket which includes a bar code reader at the checkout terminal for reading bar codes that are displayed on the various shelves.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,083, issued to J. J.
Bogasky on April 15, 1986, discloses a checkout station including means through which a shopper must pass for dispossessing the shopper of items for purchase, sensing means for detecting the items, cashier stations separated from the sensing means for printing the cost of the items and for receiving payment for the items, and a pickup area where the shopper picks up the items.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,619, issued to R. A. Fry on April 22, 1986, discloses an automatic gate for a checkout lane which is controlled by the cash register lock key.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,343, issued to D. R.
Humble et al. on June 30, 1987, discloses a self-service distribution system that includes a laser scanner for reading UPC labels on products presented to the scanner by the customer. The products go through a tunnel and are weighed to provide a printed list and a price to the customer who then pays the cashier.
` ~ 29()4~3 U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,154, issued to D.M.
Blanford on July 7, 1987, discloses a scanning cantrol system for merchandise checkout that includes a scanning assembly, a display, a processor and a data terminal device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,357, issued to S. Douno et al. on August 11, 1987, discloses a method for confirming settled check cards and check card drawing apparatus which may be used to cash a check or to deposit in an account. The check card can be used with an automated teller machine (ATM) or with an on-line teller machine (OTM).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,575, issued to J. W.
Sloan on March 15, 1988, discloses a prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards which the customer inserts into a card reader on the premises.
The card reader is coupled to a processor based control device which records the amount and the rate of usage along with the customer account number.
And, U.S. Patent No. 4,775,782, issued to ~.
M. Mergenthaler et al. on October 4, 1988, discloses a checkout system including a scanner, display means, a keyboard, a card reader, and processing means enabling the customer to finalize and pay for the items.
Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a cashierless checkout system which permits the checking out of goods or merchandise in a supermarket or like business entity without the aid or benefit of a cashier or checkout clerk. More particularly, the present invention discloses a checkout system that includes a purchased goods entry terminal wherein a passcard is issued to the customer, a money receiving terminal wherein the passcard is interpreted and processed in a read/write section to pay for the purchased goods, and an exit ga~e control unit which : ` :
~ Z90~53 checks the passcard and permits exit oE the customer after correct payment for the goods.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cashierless checkout system comprising one or more purchased goods entry terminals, each including a scanning section for scanning code data displayed on the purchased goods, a displaying section, and a printing section for respectively displaying and printing the purchased goods code data thus scanned, and a passcard issuing section for issuing a passcard on which an identification number of the customer and an amount of money are recorded corresponding to the value of the scanned goods, one or more money receiving terminals which are separated from said purchased goods entry terminals and each money receiving terminal including a passcard read/write section for performing reading and/or writing operations of data on said passcard, a money receiving section for receiving the amount of money for the goods, a printer section for issuing a receipt and a display for displaying amount data and necessary expression thereon, said passcard including money received data written from said passcard read/write section after the reception of said amount of money, an exit gate control unit which is provided in the vicinity of an outlet of a checkout area and which includes a passcard checker for checking said passcard to determine whether or not said amount of money is received and an exit gate controller for controlling an exit gate so as to enable the customers to exit under the control of said passcard checker, and a control and processing unit which is coupled to said purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals, and said exit gate control unit so as to control the operations of said purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals, and said exit gate control unit thus coupled therewith and to~
.
~ 129~a~53 store sold goods data for arithmetic operation, whereby the money receiving operation is ensured by enabling the passing of customers through said separately provided purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals and said exit gate control unit with the use of said passcard.
In view of the above discussion, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a checkout system without the aid or benefit of a cashier or a checkout clerk.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a checkout system which includes goods scanning terminals, separate money receiving terminals and an exit gate enabling customers to exit from the checkout area after correct payment of money for the purchase of goods.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a chéckout system including goods scanning terminals, money receiving terminals and control means coupled to said goods scanning terminals and to said money receiving terminals to enable exit of said customers after payment for the purchased goods.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cashierless checkout system in a checkout area wherein the customer's entry operation of purchased goods is separated from the money receiving operation and the money received i.s ensured with the use of passcards which permit only those customers who have paid the correct amount for their purchased goods to pass through the exit gate provided at the exit of the checkout area.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent and fully understood from a reading of the following description taken together with the annexed drawing.
...
1 '. "
..:
.
~29[)453 Brief Description of the Drawing Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a cashierless checkout system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2A is a block diagram of the structure of the purchased goods entry terminal;
Fig. 2B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the purchased goods entry terminal shown in Fig. 2A;
Fig. 3A is a block diagram of the structure of the money receiving terminal;
Fig. 3B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the money receiving terminal shown in Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is a block diagram of the structure of the exit gate control unit; and Fig. 4B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit in relation to the exit gate control unit shown in Fig. 4A.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment A preerred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a schematic arrangement of the structure of the cashierless checkout system for use in a store or like business entity. The checkout area 10 in the store is illustrated as being that area within the boundary of the heavy solid line 12. A plurality of purchased goods entry terminals, as 14, 16, are located at the entrance to the checkout area 10 for the convenience of the customers who have selected goods for purchase.
Each of the entry terminals 14, 16 includes a scanning section 18 conveniently located for scanning purchased goods, a printing section 20 for printing data corresponding to the purchased goods which are ~;~9~)~53 scanned, and a passcard issuing section 22 for issuing passcards 24 to the customers. The passcards 24 include information which gives the total amount of the purchased goods and the customers' id~ntification numbers. A displaying section 26, also placed in a convenient location, provides the customer with information concerning the purchased goods and the prices thereof.
A plurality of money receiving terminals, as 28, 30, are separated in physical location from the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16. Each of the money receiving terminals 28~ 30 includes a passcard Read/Write tR/W~ section 32 for performing reading/
writing operations of passcards 24 issued from any of the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16. Each of the money receiving terminals 28, 30 includes a money receiving section 34 through which the customers pay money for their purchased goods and receive their change, a printer section 36 for issuing receipts to the customers, and a display section 38 for viewing of the transactions by the customers.
An exit gate control unit gO is provided in the vicinity of a customer outlet 42 of the checkout area 10 and which control unit includes a passcard checker 44 for reading and collecting the passcards 24 which are issued from the passcard issuing section 22 of the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and into which data is written indicating that the money is received in the money receiving section 34 of the money receiving terminals 28, 30. An exit gate controller 46 of the control unit 40 operates to open a gate 48 in accordance with money received data read out from the passcards 24 to enable the customers to pass through the gate 48 and to the outside of the checkout area 10.
A control and processing unit 50 is provided for controlling the operations of the purchased goods ~29~53 g entry terminals 14, 16, the money receiving terminals 28, 30, and the exit gate control unit 40, and also for processing and storing sold goods data, unpaid goods data, settlement data and the like.
Next, the checkout operation and procedure of the cashierless checkout system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the drawing, the dotted line 52 indicates a path through the checkout area 10 and along which a customer advances to perform the various checkout operations. For the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the customer uses the purchased goods entry terminal 14 and the money receiving terminal 28, such terminals showing issuance of a passcard 24 at the passcard issuing section 22 and the use of the passcard at the passcard R/W section 32.
The customer initiates and enables scanning of the bar codes on the purchased goods through the scanning section 18 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14. An automatic scanner which permits automatic scanning of the bar codes may be used, such as an ACM 650 Cashier Station which is available from Check Robot Co., Ltd. The data thus scanned by the scanning section 18 is sent to the control and processing unit 50 to be processed and stored therein, to be displayed on the displaying section 26 of the purchased goods entry terminal 1~, and to be printed on a purchased goods detailed sheet (not shown) by the printing section 20 of the terminal 14. At the completion of scanning of all the purchased goods, a final key (not shown) is depressed by the customer to send a finalized signal to the control and processing unit S0 which, in turn, receives the finalized signal to calculate the total amount of the purchased goods as seen by the scanning section 18 and to store the amount thus calculated in an unpaid goods data file.
The finalized signal also enables the control and : 129~1453 pr~cessing unit 50 to actuate the passcard issuing section 22 to issue a passcard 24 in which the customer's ID number and the total amount of the purchased goods are magnetically recorded and also to actuate the printing section 20 to print the total amount of the purchased goods on the purchased goods detailed sheet to be issued to the customer.
Next, the customer goes to the money receiving terminal 28 with the purchased goods detailed sheet and with the passcard 24 issued from the issuing section 22 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 to pay the money for the purchased goods.
When the customer inserts the passcard 24 into the R/W
Section 32 of the money receiving terminal 28, the customer's ID number and the total amount of money owed for the purchased goods are read and sent to the control and processing unit 50 to be collated therein and compared with the identification tID) number and the total amount of money stored therein and displayed on the display section 38 of the terminal 28. The customer pays the correct amount of money for the purchased goods by putting cash into the money receiving section 34 of the terminal Z8 without the aid of a salesclerk or the use of a prepaid card or the like. The money receiving section 34 discharges or dispenses any necessary change in the overall transaction. At the completion of the money receiving operation, the control and processing unit 50 stores the result of the transaction in a money received data file, actuates the passcard R/W section 32 to issue the passcard 24 (or a passcard which may be different from the above-mentioned passcard) on which the money received is recorded, and then actuates the printer section 36 of terminal 28 to issue a receipt of the purchased goods to the customer.
The customer then goes to the exit gate control unit 40 and inserts the passcard 24 into the ~L2904S3 passcard checker 44. When the passcard checker 44 confirms that the correct amount of money is received, the passcard 24 is withdrawn and a command signal is sent from the passcard checker 44 to the exit gate controller 46 of control unit gO to open the gate 48 to enable only those customers to pass therethrough who have paid the correct amount of money for their purchased goods.
The individual terminals and the units employed in the cashierless checkout system according to the present invention will be more concretely described with reference to Figs. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A
and 4B. Along with the control and processing unit 50, various other control units (not shown) such as a personal computer, an office computer and the like may be employed in accordance with the overall number of purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and the number of money receiving terminals 28, 30. In this embodiment, it is preferred that an office computer is employed. The structure of such office computer is well known in the art, so that the description thereof is omitted here and only the operation thereof will be described with reference to a flow chart of the drawina.
The purchased goods entry terminal 14 will be described in more detail relative to the operation thereof. Fig. 2A shows the structure of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 and E~ig. 2B is a flow chart of the data processing operation from the purchased goods entry terminal 14 to the control and processing unit 50. The purchased goods entry terminal 14 consists of a keyboard section 52, the displaying section 26, the scanning section 18, the printing section 20, the passcard issuing section 22, a control section 54 and an interface section 56 coupled to the control and processing unit S0.
~Z~
When a customer depresses a start key (Fig.
2B) on the keyboard section 52 (Fig. 2A) in order to start a scanning operation for the registration of the purchased goods, a start signal is sent from the keyboard section 52 (Fig. 2A) to the control section 54 which, in turn, transmits the start signal thus received to the control and processing unit 50 via the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the start signal and waits until a purchased goods data signal is transmitted thereto (Blocks 58 and 60 in Fig. 2B). Then, the customer initiates and enables scanning of the purchased goods by means of the scanning section 18. Purchased goods data is read out by the scanning section 18 and is sent to the control section 54 and then to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the purchased goods data (Block 60) and retrieves the price of one of the purchased goods from a Price Look Up (PLU) file and reads out the price of the goods (Block 62). The price of one of the purchased goods thus read out (the goods price data) is stored in an unpaid goods registration file of the control and processing unit 50 together with the store purchased goods data thus received (Block 64) and then such goods price data is sent to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Block 66). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the goods price data and sends such data to the displaying section 26 and to the printing section 20. The displaying section 26 displays the price of the purchased goods based on the goods price data from the control section 54 and the printing section 20 prints the price of the purchased goods on a purchased goods detailed sheet (Block 66). All of the remaining purchased goods are scanned by the scanning section 18 and are stored in the unpaid registration file of the ~i~9C~453 control and processing unit 50 in th~ same manner as described above.
The customer then depresses a final key on the keyboard section 52 at the completion of the scanning operation and of the registration of the store purchased goods. When the final key is depressed, a registration final signal is output from the keyboard section 52 and is sent to the control and processing unit 50 through the control section 54 and through the interface section 56. The control and processing unit 50 receives the registration final signal and calculates the total price amount of the store purchased goods (Blocks 68 and 70). The total amount-of-money data is stored in the unpaid goods registration file of the control and processing unit 50 and also is sent to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Blocks 72 and 74). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the record of the total amount of money and outputs data thereon to the displaying section 26 and the printing section 20 of terminal 14. The total amount of money is displayed on the displaying section 26 for viewing by the customer and also is printed on the purchased goods detailed sheet by the printing section 20. Then, the control and processing unit 50 sends the identification (ID) number of the customer and a command for issuing a passcard signal to the purchased goods entry terminal 14 (Block 76). The control section 54 of the purchased goods entry terminal 14 receives the ID number and the command for issuing the passcard signal and outputs the total amount of money owed for the store purchased goods to the passcard issuing section 22 together with the ID number and the command signal thus received. The passcard issuing section 22 receives the command for issuing a passcard and dispenses or passes out a passcard 24 stored therewithin and magnetically records the ID number and - 1~9(~53 the total amount of money thereon. The customer receives the passcard 24 and goes to the money receiving terminal 28 for payment of the store purchased goods~
The money receiving terminal 28 will be described in more detail relative to the operatio~
thereof. Fig. 3A shows the structure of the money receiving terminal 28 and Fig. 3B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit 50.
As shown in Fig. 3A, the money receiving terminal 28 includes the passcard read/write (R/W) section 32, the display section 38, the money receiving section 34, the printer section 36, a control section 80 and an interface section 82 coupled to the control and processing unit 50. The money receiving section 34 includes a cash receiving section 84 r a counting section 86, a cash storing section 88 and a cash disbursing section 90 coupled along with the counting section 86 to the control section 80.
When the customer inserts the passcard 2 into the passcard R/W section 32 (Fig. 3A) at the completion of the scanning operation and registration of the store purchased goods, the passcard R/W section 32 reads out content data that is recorded on the passcard 24 and sends the data thus read out (the passcard data) to the control and processing unit S0 through the control section 80 and the interface section 82. The control and processing unit 50 receives the passcard data from the money receiving terminal 28, reads out the total amount of money from the unpaid goods registration eile of the control and processing unit 50 which is based on the ID number in the passcard data (Blocks 92 and 94 in Fig. 3B) and sends the total amount of money data thus read out to the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 96). The control section 80 of the money receiving terminal 28 outputs the total amount of money data thus received ~2904S~
to the display section 38 to be displayed to the customer.
When the customer pays money for the store purchased goods to the money receiving section 34, the cash receiving section ~4 receives bills and coins and feeds the money to the counting section 86 which, in turn, counts the bills and coins received and then calculates the total amount of money that the customer has paid. The counting section 86 sends received cash data on the total amount of the paid money thus calculated to the control and processing unit 50 through the control section 80 and the interface section 82 and also feeds the bills and coins thus counted to the cash storing section 88 to be stored therein. The control section 80 calculates the difference (change) between the total amount of money to be paid which is sent from the control and `~
processing unit 50 through the interface section 82 and the total amount of money received which .is sent from the counting section 86. In case change is made, the control section 80 sends the amount oE change and a change disbursing signal to the cash disbursing section 90 and displays the amount of change on the display section 38. Further, the control section 80 sends change data to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 82. The control and processing unit S0 receives the received money data and the change data from the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 98) and stores the customer's ID number, the received money data, and the change data in the paid goods registration file (Block 100) and erases the data on the customer who paid money for the store purchased goods from the unpaid goods registration file (Block 102). Then, the control and processing unit 50 sends a receipt issuing signal and a passcard reissuing signal to the money receiving terminal 28 (Block 104). The control section 80 of the money ~L2904S3 receiving terminal 28 receives the receipt issuing signal and the passcard reissuing signal and sends print data (the total amount of money to be paid, the total amount of money received, and the amount of change) to the printer section 36 and also sends pay up data indicating that the money has already been paid to the passcard R/W section 32. The printer section 36 receives the print data from the control section 80 and prints the data on a receipt to be issued to the customer. The passcard R/W section 32 receives the pay up data from the control section 80 and magnetically records the data on the passcard 24 to be issued to the customer. The customer receives the receipt and the pay up passcard, and the change from the cash disbursing section 90 and then goes to the exit gate control unit 40.
The exit gate control unit 40 provides the controls necessary to enable the customer to pass from the checkout area 10 and through the exit gate q8 (Fig. 1). Fig. 4A shows the structure of the exit gate control unit 40 and Fig. 4B is a flow chart of the operation of the control and processing unit 50 in relation to the exit gate control unit 40. As shown in Fig. 4A, the exit gate control unit 40 includes the passcard checker 44, the exit gate controller 46, a control section 106 and an interface section 108 coupled to the control and processing unit 50. The passcard checker 44 includes a passcard receiving/returning section 110 and a passcard R/W
section 112.
When the customer inserts the passcard 24 into the passcard checker 44 of the exit gate control unit 40 at the completion of payment for the store purchased goods, the passcard receiving section 110 feeds the passcard 24 to the passcard R/W section 112 which receives the passcard 24, reads out the data magnetically recorded thereon and outputs the data ;
, ... .. ~ . ~
~9~)4S3 ~ 17 -thus read out to the control section 106. Then, the control section 106, upon receipt of the data on the passcard 24, recognizes the pay up data in the read out data, sends a permission signal for gate opening to the exit gate controller 46, and simulataneously therewith, transmits passcard recovery data, including the ID number of the customer from whom the passcard 24 has been recovered, to the control and processing unit 50 through the interface section 108 of the exit gate control unit 40. The control and processing unit 50 receives the passcard recovery data thus transmitted to register the customer's ID number in a recovery data file (Blocks 114 and 116 in Fig. 4B).
The exit gate controller 46 receives the permission signal for gate opening to output a gate open signal to open the gate 48 through which the customer can exit from the checkout area 10. The gate 48 is opened by the gate open signal and the customer goes outside the checkout area 10 through the gate 48 with the store purchased goods.
However, on the other hand, when no pay up data i5 found on the passcard 2~, the control section 106 outputs a passcard return signal to the passcard receiving and returning section 110 ~Fig. 4A) which discharges the passcard 24 through an outlet thereof upon receiving the passcard return signal. The system may be so designed as to announce by voice that the customer is to pay up the money or to display an amount owed when no pay up data is found. In this case, the customer can not go outside the checkout area 10 until he goes to the money receiving terminal 28 with the passcard 24 thus returned and pays up the correct amount of money.
There may be provided a plurality of gates such as those used at gateways to a wicket or a recreation garden through which the customers can go in and out one by one. Alternatively, the gate 48 may .
:1290453 be constituted by a conventional door, wherein a plurality of customers can pass through the gate ~8 at the same time, as long as measures are taken not to pass a customer who does not pay up the owed money.
As one of the proposed measures, the system may be so constructed as to detect a person who intends to pass through the gate 48 with a passcard 24 and thereby raise an alarm of the fact that a person who has not paid the correct amount of money still has the passcard 24 in his or her possession. $he system can be constructed such that an antenna of a predetermined configuration is printed on the passcard 24 in the form of a sheet and the antenna is sensed when the passcard passes through the gate 48. This antenna sensing technique is well known in the art, so that the description thereof is omitted.
In addition, there may be provided separate paths and exits (not shown) which permit a person who does not purchase any goods to go outside without passing in the path 52 along the purchased goods entry terminals 14, 16 and the money receiving terminals 28, 30 in the checkout area 10.
It is thus seen that herein shown and described is a cashierless checkout system having an advantage that jamming or crowded conditions in the checkout area can be relieved by separating the entry and scanning of purchased goods from the payment of the money. In addition, a passcard is issued to each customer to enable the customer to pass through the gate provided at the exit of the checkout area. The system permits the customer who has paid the correct amount of money for the store purchased goods to go outside the checkout area and thereby ensure that the money has been received for the purchased goods.
Further, the number of purchased goods entry terminals and the number of money receiving terminals to be installed can be separately and freely selected in ~L290453 accordance with various conditions such as the type of store and experience of customers in operating the various terminals. In addition, a customer can selectively use a disengaged terminal in certain instances which may include practice or training in the operations of the system, so that the terminals can be used effectively. Accordingly, there is provided a cashierless checkout system by which the checking out operation is effectively and advantageously performed.
The structure and arrangement of the present invention enable the accomplishment of the objects and advantages mentioned above, and while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, variations thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that all such variations not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention hereof are to be construed in accordance with the following claims.
,:, ' '
Claims (10)
1. A cashierless checkout system in a checkout area comprising a plurality of purchased goods entry terminals each including a scanning section for scanning code data indicated on said purchased goods, a displaying section and a printing section for displaying and for printing information corresponding to the purchased goods code data thus scanned, and an issuing section for issuing a passcard on which are recorded an identification number of a customer and an amount of money corresponding to the value of the scanned goods, a plurality of money receiving terminals which are separated from said purchased goods entry terminals, each of said money receiving terminals including a passcard read/write section for performing reading and writing of data on said passcard upon insertion thereof into said money receiving terminal, a money receiving section for receiving said amount of money, a printer section for issuing a receipt, and a display section for displaying an amount data and other information thereon, said passcard being dispensed from said money receiving terminal and said passcard including money received data written from said passcard read/write section after the reception of said amount of money, an exit gate control unit which is provided in the vicinity of an exit of said checkout area and including a passcard checker for checking said passcards to check whether or not said amount of money is received and an exit gate controller for controlling an exit gate under the control of said passcard checker to enable customers to pass through said exit gate, and a control and processing unit coupled to said purchased goods entry terminals, to said money receiving terminals and to said exit gate control unit to control the operations of said terminals and said control unit thus coupled therewith and to store sold goods data, whereby the reception of said amount of money is ensured by checking said passcards and enabling the customer to pass through said checkout area and past said purchased goods entry terminals, said money receiving terminals and said exit gate control unit.
2. The checkout system of claim 1 wherein each of said purchased goods entry terminals includes a control section coupled to said passcard issuing section and to said control and processing unit for outputting the ID number of a customer, for outputting data on the amount of money owed for the scanned goods as calculated by said control and processing unit, and for outputting a signal to said passcard issuing section to issue a passcard.
3. The checkout system of claim 2 wherein each of said purchased goods entry terminals includes an interface section coupled to said control section and to said control and processing unit for adjusting voltage levels and for controlling input/output data between the entry terminal and the control and processing unit.
4. The checkout system of claim 1 wherein each of said purchased goods entry terminals includes a keyboard section to enable said scanning section.
5. The checkout system of claim 1 wherein each of said money receiving terminals includes a control section coupled to said passcard read/write section and to said control and processing unit for outputting data on the amount of money owed for the scanned goods as read out in said passcard R/W
section.
section.
6. The checkout system of claim 5 wherein each of said money receiving terminals includes an interface section coupled to said control section and to said control and processing unit for adjusting voltage levels and for controlling input/output data between the money receiving terminal and the control and processing unit.
7. The checkout system of claim 5 wherein said money receiving section includes a cash receiving section for receiving cash, a counting section coupled to said cash receiving section and to said control section for counting the cash received from the customer and for sending data on such cash received to the control and processing unit, a cash storing section coupled to said counting section for storing cash received therefrom, and a cash disbursing section coupled to said counting section and to said control section for disbursing the difference in cash between the money received and the money owed.
8. A method of checking out goods in an automated system having a plurality of entry terminals, a plurality of money receiving terminals, an exit gate control unit and a control and processing unit comprising the steps of: scanning coded data displayed on the goods at one of the entry terminals, displaying information corresponding to the coded data and printing the information for use by a customer, issuing a read/write passcard having customer identification and an amount of money recorded thereon corresponding to the value of goods that have been scanned, reading the passcard at one of the money receiving terminals to initiate the payment of money for the scanned goods, conveying information relative to the coded data on said goods to the control and processing unit corresponding to the amount and price of scanned goods and storing the information in such unit, checking the passcard to determine whether the correct amount of money has been paid dependent upon the amount and price of the scanned goods, and enabling the exit gate control unit to allow the customer to pass through the exit gate upon assurance that payment has been made for the scanned goods.
9. The method of claim 8 including the step of operating a keyboard at the entry terminal to enable scanning the coded data.
10. The method of claim 8 including the steps of receiving money for the scanned goods after conveying the coded data information, counting the money received and disbursing any change in money received and money owed for the scanned goods at the money receiving terminal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP330403/87 | 1987-12-28 | ||
| JP62330403A JPH01173292A (en) | 1987-12-28 | 1987-12-28 | Cashless checkout system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1290453C true CA1290453C (en) | 1991-10-08 |
Family
ID=18232210
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000586814A Expired - Lifetime CA1290453C (en) | 1987-12-28 | 1988-12-22 | Cashierless checkout system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5013896A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH01173292A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1290453C (en) |
Cited By (51)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10607080B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-03-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Feedback and training for a machine learning algorithm configured to determine customer purchases during a shopping session at a physical store |
| US10614318B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-04-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using a marker grid |
| US10621444B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-04-14 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
| US10769450B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US10783762B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-22 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Custom rack for scalable position tracking system |
| US10789720B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Multi-camera image tracking on a global plane |
| US10861085B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-12-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Apparatus, system and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on video of a customers shopping session at a physical store |
| US10878585B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-12-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor array for scalable position tracking system |
| US10885642B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-01-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Scalable position tracking system for tracking position in large spaces |
| US10922555B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-02-16 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Customer-based video feed |
| US10943287B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-03-09 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview item tracking using a sensor array |
| US10956777B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-03-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Shelf position calibration in a global coordinate system using a sensor array |
| US11004219B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Vector-based object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11003918B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Event trigger based on region-of-interest near hand-shelf interaction |
| US11017229B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-25 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for selectively verifying algorithmically populated shopping carts |
| US11023741B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Draw wire encoder based homography |
| US11023728B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Machine learning algorithm trained to identify algorithmically populated shopping carts as candidates for verification |
| US11023740B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for providing machine-generated tickets to facilitate tracking |
| US11030756B2 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2021-06-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for position tracking using edge computing |
| US11062147B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-07-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object assignment during image tracking |
| US11080529B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-03 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Determining candidate object identities during image tracking |
| US11100717B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for presenting a virtual store shelf that emulates a physical store shelf |
| US11107226B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11113541B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detection of object removal and replacement from a shelf |
| US11113837B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system |
| US11132550B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-28 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting shelf interactions using a sensor array |
| US11176686B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-11-16 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Image-based action detection using contour dilation |
| US11188763B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-11-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview object tracking using a sensor array |
| US11257225B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-02-22 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using homography |
| US11288518B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-03-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US11301691B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-04-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using sensor locations |
| US11308630B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-04-19 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Auto-exclusion zone for contour-based object detection |
| US11341569B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-05-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on video of a customer's shopping session at a physical store |
| US11367124B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-06-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting and identifying misplaced items using a sensor array |
| US11380091B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-07-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on a verification of algorithmic determinations of items selected during a shopping session in a physical store |
| US11386647B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-07-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for processing a refund request arising from a shopping session in a cashierless store |
| US11403852B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-02 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object detection based on wrist-area region-of-interest |
| US11430046B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Identifying non-uniform weight objects using a sensor array |
| US11450011B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-09-20 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Adaptive item counting algorithm for weight sensor using sensitivity analysis of the weight sensor |
| US11501454B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-11-15 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Mapping wireless weight sensor array for item detection and identification |
| US11551454B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-10 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using marker locations |
| US11557124B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-17 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction |
| US11568554B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Contour-based detection of closely spaced objects |
| US11587243B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-02-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for position tracking using edge computing |
| US11674792B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-06-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor array with adjustable camera positions |
| US11798065B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-10-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tool for generating a virtual store that emulates a physical store |
| US11887372B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-01-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Image-based self-serve beverage detection and assignment |
| US11887337B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-01-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Reconfigurable sensor array |
| US11893757B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-02-06 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Self-serve beverage detection and assignment |
| US11893759B2 (en) | 2019-10-24 | 2024-02-06 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using a disparity mapping |
| US11974077B2 (en) | 2020-10-15 | 2024-04-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
Families Citing this family (44)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5393965A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1995-02-28 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Flexible merchandise checkout and inventory management system |
| WO1993016443A1 (en) * | 1992-02-18 | 1993-08-19 | Advanced Promotion Technologies | Individualized promotional programming |
| US5457307A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1995-10-10 | Dumont; Charles | Portable self-service bar code marker and reader for purchase monitoring |
| US5345071A (en) * | 1992-04-27 | 1994-09-06 | Charles Dumont | Shopper's purchase monitoring device |
| US5310997A (en) * | 1992-09-10 | 1994-05-10 | Tandy Corporation | Automated order and delivery system |
| US5546303A (en) * | 1993-02-03 | 1996-08-13 | Helbling; Edward | Method of and system for correlating charitable contributions |
| US5397882A (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 1995-03-14 | Ahold Retail Services Ag | Method for spot checking a client in a self-service store |
| US5637846A (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 1997-06-10 | Ahold Retail Services Ag | Method and apparatus for electronic payment by a client in a self-service store |
| US5555497A (en) * | 1994-03-21 | 1996-09-10 | Helbling; Edward | Charitable contribution centralization system and apparatus |
| NO941202L (en) * | 1994-03-30 | 1995-10-02 | Oeystein Konsmo | Method of monitoring and generating messages as well as equipment using the method |
| US5437346A (en) * | 1994-05-11 | 1995-08-01 | Dumont; Charles | Station for price scanning verifying and selectively bagging purchase items |
| US5641039A (en) * | 1994-05-11 | 1997-06-24 | Dumont; Charles | Purchase checkout station |
| US5551531A (en) * | 1994-05-11 | 1996-09-03 | Dumont; Charles | Purchase item checkout station and method |
| US5595264A (en) * | 1994-08-23 | 1997-01-21 | Trotta, Jr.; Frank P. | System and method for automated shopping |
| US5612527A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1997-03-18 | Ovadia; Victor A. | Discount offer redemption system and method |
| US5752582A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1998-05-19 | Stores Automated Systems, Inc | Self-service checkout system |
| US6439345B1 (en) * | 1996-05-22 | 2002-08-27 | Sears, Roebuck And Co. | Item pick-up system |
| US5987439A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1999-11-16 | Capital Security Systems, Inc. | Automated banking system for making change on a card or user account |
| US7653600B2 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2010-01-26 | Capital Security Systems, Inc. | Automated document cashing system |
| EP0992012A4 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2006-01-04 | Capital Security Systems Inc | An automated document cashing system |
| US5897625A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1999-04-27 | Capital Security Systems, Inc. | Automated document cashing system |
| US6012048A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2000-01-04 | Capital Security Systems, Inc. | Automated banking system for dispensing money orders, wire transfer and bill payment |
| US6822550B1 (en) | 1998-01-12 | 2004-11-23 | At Systems, Inc. | Intelligent rolled coin dispenser |
| AUPP274098A0 (en) | 1998-04-01 | 1998-04-30 | Chip Application Technologies Limited | Data carrying device and systems for use therewith |
| JP2000207646A (en) * | 1999-01-08 | 2000-07-28 | Ncr Internatl Inc | Multipoint input type pos system |
| US6354496B1 (en) * | 1999-04-23 | 2002-03-12 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Method for self service checkout |
| US6598790B1 (en) | 1999-06-22 | 2003-07-29 | Douglas B. Horst | Self-service checkout |
| US7048184B2 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2006-05-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multiple self-checkout system having integrated payment device |
| US20050187825A1 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2005-08-25 | Ncr Corporation | Personalized security method for a self-service checkout system |
| DE102008032872B4 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2019-06-13 | Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh | Security system for sales facilities |
| JP2016212502A (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2016-12-15 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Customer management system, customer management apparatus, and customer management method |
| JP6426536B2 (en) * | 2015-06-10 | 2018-11-21 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Product sales data processing device |
| US9911290B1 (en) * | 2015-07-25 | 2018-03-06 | Gary M. Zalewski | Wireless coded communication (WCC) devices for tracking retail interactions with goods and association to user accounts |
| JP6290151B2 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2018-03-07 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Checkout system, product registration device, settlement device, and electronic receipt management device |
| JP6650783B2 (en) * | 2016-02-26 | 2020-02-19 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Checkout system and payment device |
| EP3485470A4 (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2020-02-19 | Itab Shop Products AB | Self-checkout system |
| US10970701B2 (en) * | 2016-10-20 | 2021-04-06 | Jes Labs | System for identifying or assisting the identification of a product or set of products |
| FR3069685B1 (en) | 2017-07-26 | 2019-08-16 | Jes Labs | INSTALLATION AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PRODUCT DATA |
| JP6395918B1 (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2018-09-26 | 和則 藤沢 | Purchased goods delivery system |
| JP7036580B2 (en) | 2017-12-13 | 2022-03-15 | グローリー株式会社 | Money deposit machine and accounting system |
| CN111339791B (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2021-05-25 | 北京京东乾石科技有限公司 | Commodity identification method, commodity identification channel, commodity control device and commodity settlement channel |
| US11393301B1 (en) * | 2019-03-25 | 2022-07-19 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Hybrid retail environments |
| US11829982B2 (en) * | 2019-04-15 | 2023-11-28 | Jes Labs | System for identifying or assisting the identification of a product or set of products |
| JP7408300B2 (en) * | 2019-06-04 | 2024-01-05 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Store management device, electronic receipt system and control program |
Family Cites Families (29)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS49237B1 (en) * | 1966-03-08 | 1974-01-07 | ||
| GB1164944A (en) * | 1966-03-10 | 1969-09-24 | Tateisi Electronics Company | An Automatic Ticket Checking and Dispensing Unit. |
| JPS4827160B1 (en) * | 1967-09-29 | 1973-08-20 | ||
| JPS4831640B1 (en) * | 1969-10-24 | 1973-10-01 | ||
| US3716697A (en) * | 1971-05-05 | 1973-02-13 | Fmc Corp | Automatic marketing system |
| JPS5026600A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1975-03-19 | ||
| US4108363A (en) * | 1975-06-25 | 1978-08-22 | Iida Susumu | Record controlled mechanical store |
| US4068213A (en) * | 1976-12-23 | 1978-01-10 | Ncr Corporation | Checkout system |
| US4373133A (en) * | 1980-01-03 | 1983-02-08 | Nicholas Clyne | Method for producing a bill, apparatus for collecting items, and a self-service shop |
| SE8202970L (en) * | 1982-05-12 | 1983-11-13 | Lundblad Leif | FOR STORE DESIGNED FITTING |
| US4583619A (en) * | 1983-08-19 | 1986-04-22 | Fry Raymond A | Automatic gate for checkout lane |
| US4578567A (en) * | 1983-08-25 | 1986-03-25 | Ncr Corporation | Method and apparatus for gaining access to a system having controlled access thereto |
| US4521677A (en) * | 1983-12-02 | 1985-06-04 | Sarwin Herbert S | Product control system for supermarkets and the like |
| BE899019A (en) * | 1984-02-27 | 1984-06-18 | Agemetal S A | Supermarket checkout desk - has conveyor taking purchases past digital bar code reader linked to till |
| JPS60263299A (en) * | 1984-06-11 | 1985-12-26 | オムロン株式会社 | Transaction processor |
| JPS60263295A (en) * | 1984-06-12 | 1985-12-26 | オムロン株式会社 | Self-checkout gate |
| US4583083A (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1986-04-15 | Bogasky John J | Checkout station to reduce retail theft |
| US4676343A (en) * | 1984-07-09 | 1987-06-30 | Checkrobot Inc. | Self-service distribution system |
| US4792018A (en) * | 1984-07-09 | 1988-12-20 | Checkrobot Inc. | System for security processing of retailed articles |
| JPS6134689A (en) * | 1984-07-27 | 1986-02-18 | グローリー工業株式会社 | Validation of cleared check card and check card drawing apparatus |
| SE500423C2 (en) * | 1984-11-07 | 1994-06-20 | Ishida Scale Mfg Co Ltd | Weighing system for weighing purchased goods and for calculating purchase data including prices of the goods on the basis of weight data. |
| US4679154A (en) * | 1985-07-09 | 1987-07-07 | Ncr Corporation | Scanning control system for merchandise checkout |
| US4866661A (en) * | 1986-03-26 | 1989-09-12 | Prins Maurits L De | Computer controlled rental and sale system and method for a supermarket and the like |
| JPH0719308B2 (en) * | 1986-03-27 | 1995-03-06 | 株式会社テック | Sales registration device |
| US4731575A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-03-15 | Sloan Joseph W | Prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards |
| US4779706A (en) * | 1986-12-17 | 1988-10-25 | Ncr Corporation | Self-service system |
| US4787467A (en) * | 1987-07-31 | 1988-11-29 | Johnson Neldon P | Automated self-service checkout system |
| US4775782A (en) * | 1987-09-30 | 1988-10-04 | Ncr Corporation | Checkout counter with remote keyboard writing pad and display |
| US4894522A (en) * | 1987-11-19 | 1990-01-16 | Spectra-Physics, Inc. | Interface apparatus |
-
1987
- 1987-12-28 JP JP62330403A patent/JPH01173292A/en active Pending
-
1988
- 1988-11-09 US US07/269,813 patent/US5013896A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-12-22 CA CA000586814A patent/CA1290453C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (91)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US11030756B2 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2021-06-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for position tracking using edge computing |
| US11501455B2 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2022-11-15 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for position tracking using edge computing |
| US11893759B2 (en) | 2019-10-24 | 2024-02-06 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using a disparity mapping |
| US11386631B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-07-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for presenting a virtual store shelf that emulates a physical store shelf |
| US11113837B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system |
| US10769450B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US10783762B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-22 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Custom rack for scalable position tracking system |
| US10789720B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Multi-camera image tracking on a global plane |
| US10810428B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-10-20 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Feedback and training for a machine learning algorithm configured to determine customer purchases during a shopping session at a physical store |
| US10853663B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-12-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
| US10861085B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-12-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Apparatus, system and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on video of a customers shopping session at a physical store |
| US10878585B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-12-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor array for scalable position tracking system |
| US10885642B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-01-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Scalable position tracking system for tracking position in large spaces |
| US10922555B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-02-16 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Customer-based video feed |
| US10943287B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-03-09 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview item tracking using a sensor array |
| US10956777B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-03-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Shelf position calibration in a global coordinate system using a sensor array |
| US11004219B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Vector-based object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11003918B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Event trigger based on region-of-interest near hand-shelf interaction |
| US11017229B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-05-25 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for selectively verifying algorithmically populated shopping carts |
| US11023741B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Draw wire encoder based homography |
| US11023728B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Machine learning algorithm trained to identify algorithmically populated shopping carts as candidates for verification |
| US11023740B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-06-01 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for providing machine-generated tickets to facilitate tracking |
| US11386647B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-07-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for processing a refund request arising from a shopping session in a cashierless store |
| US11062147B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-07-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object assignment during image tracking |
| US11080529B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-03 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Determining candidate object identities during image tracking |
| US11100717B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for presenting a virtual store shelf that emulates a physical store shelf |
| US11107226B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-08-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11113541B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detection of object removal and replacement from a shelf |
| US11403772B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-02 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Vector-based object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11132550B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-09-28 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting shelf interactions using a sensor array |
| US11151388B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-10-19 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Customer-based video feed |
| US11176686B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-11-16 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Image-based action detection using contour dilation |
| US11188763B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-11-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview object tracking using a sensor array |
| US11205277B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2021-12-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Multi-camera image tracking on a global plane |
| US11244463B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-02-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Scalable position tracking system for tracking position in large spaces |
| US11257225B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-02-22 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using homography |
| US11275953B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-03-15 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US11288518B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-03-29 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US11295593B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-04-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Custom rack for scalable position tracking system |
| US11301691B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-04-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using sensor locations |
| US11308630B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-04-19 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Auto-exclusion zone for contour-based object detection |
| US11341569B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-05-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on video of a customer's shopping session at a physical store |
| US11367124B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-06-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting and identifying misplaced items using a sensor array |
| US11380091B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-07-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for populating a virtual shopping cart based on a verification of algorithmic determinations of items selected during a shopping session in a physical store |
| US10607080B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-03-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Feedback and training for a machine learning algorithm configured to determine customer purchases during a shopping session at a physical store |
| US10685237B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-06-16 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
| US10769451B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-09-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using a marker grid |
| US11900724B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-02-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for providing machine-generated tickets to facilitate tracking |
| US11423657B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Event trigger based on region-of-interest near hand-shelf interaction |
| US11430222B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using a marker grid |
| US11430046B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Identifying non-uniform weight objects using a sensor array |
| US11450011B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-09-20 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Adaptive item counting algorithm for weight sensor using sensitivity analysis of the weight sensor |
| US11475656B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-10-18 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for selectively verifying algorithmically populated shopping carts |
| US11475674B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-10-18 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Customer-based video feed |
| US11475657B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-10-18 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Machine learning algorithm trained to identify algorithmically populated shopping carts as candidates for verification |
| US11501454B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-11-15 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Mapping wireless weight sensor array for item detection and identification |
| US11501453B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-11-15 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor array for scalable position tracking system |
| US10621444B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-04-14 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
| US11551454B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-10 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction using marker locations |
| US11557124B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-17 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Homography error correction |
| US11568554B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-01-31 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Contour-based detection of closely spaced objects |
| US11580749B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-02-14 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US11580748B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-02-14 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tracking positions using a scalable position tracking system |
| US11587243B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-02-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for position tracking using edge computing |
| US11625918B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-04-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting shelf interactions using a sensor array |
| US11625923B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-04-11 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object assignment during image tracking |
| US11645698B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-05-09 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview item tracking using a sensor array |
| US11659139B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-05-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Determining candidate object identities during image tracking |
| US11657584B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-05-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | System and method for presenting a virtual store shelf that emulates a physical store shelf |
| US11657538B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-05-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Shelf position calibration in a global coordinate system using a sensor array |
| US11657517B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-05-23 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Auto-exclusion zone for contour-based object detection |
| US11676289B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-06-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using homography |
| US11674792B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-06-13 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor array with adjustable camera positions |
| US11720952B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-08-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Identifying non-uniform weight objects using a sensor array |
| US11721041B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-08-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system |
| US11721029B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-08-08 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Draw wire encoder based homography |
| US11756211B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-09-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Topview object tracking using a sensor array |
| US11756216B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-09-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object re-identification during image tracking |
| US11756213B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-09-12 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object detection based on wrist-area region-of-interest |
| US11798065B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-10-24 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Tool for generating a virtual store that emulates a physical store |
| US11823396B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-11-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Scalable position tracking system for tracking position in large spaces |
| US11823397B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-11-21 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Multi-camera image tracking on a global plane |
| US11836957B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-12-05 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Event trigger based on region-of-interest near hand-shelf interaction |
| US11847688B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2023-12-19 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Detecting and identifying misplaced items using a sensor array |
| US11861852B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-01-02 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Image-based action detection using contour dilation |
| US11887372B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-01-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Image-based self-serve beverage detection and assignment |
| US11887337B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-01-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Reconfigurable sensor array |
| US11893757B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2024-02-06 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Self-serve beverage detection and assignment |
| US10614318B1 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2020-04-07 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Sensor mapping to a global coordinate system using a marker grid |
| US11403852B2 (en) | 2019-10-25 | 2022-08-02 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Object detection based on wrist-area region-of-interest |
| US11974077B2 (en) | 2020-10-15 | 2024-04-30 | 7-Eleven, Inc. | Action detection during image tracking |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5013896A (en) | 1991-05-07 |
| JPH01173292A (en) | 1989-07-07 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1290453C (en) | Cashierless checkout system | |
| EP0348484B1 (en) | Checkout system and method | |
| US5992570A (en) | Self-service checkout apparatus | |
| US6550671B1 (en) | Cash register and method of accounting for cash transactions | |
| US20030001007A1 (en) | Self-checkout apparatus | |
| JPH1074287A (en) | Pos system | |
| JP2010086158A (en) | Cash register settlement system | |
| JPH01118995A (en) | Automatic accounting apparatus | |
| JPH06243340A (en) | Self check-out system | |
| JP3578868B2 (en) | Checkout system | |
| CN107818642A (en) | Checkout system, checkout apparatus and its control method, server | |
| JPH08235388A (en) | Ticket vending machine | |
| JP2603807Y2 (en) | Payment system | |
| JP7449114B2 (en) | Accounting devices and programs | |
| JPS60263295A (en) | Self-checkout gate | |
| JP2753005B2 (en) | Automatic ticket vending machine and amount card processing method | |
| JPH04284598A (en) | Automatic account settlement system for shop | |
| JPH07301014A (en) | In-shop arrangement in which commodity is bought according to self-registration system and compensation of commodity is paid electronically in self-service shop without interpositton of clerk, and attaining method of paying device used for said in-shop arrangement and said self-registration system | |
| JP2001331825A (en) | System for managing parking lot | |
| JP3840749B2 (en) | Automatic sales collection system | |
| JP2575547B2 (en) | Ticket-vending machine | |
| JP2006120074A (en) | Commodity sales data processor | |
| JP3152801B2 (en) | Automatic ticket vending machine | |
| JP2542782B2 (en) | Commuter ticket issuing device | |
| JP3090815B2 (en) | Automatic ticket vending machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |