Self-scanning check-out counter for shop
Abstract
Each purchase is placed on a sloping, transparent plate (1). A moving belt carries it over a barcode scanner (8). It is weighed (14) to ensure it is in the expected weight range. A transparent cover (9) prevents products from being switched. A video camera (12) registers any untoward movement. Accepted goods are deposited (6); rejected goods are returned via a second belt (2) to the shelf (4). A bank card or smart card is inserted (16) to start the check-out; insufficient funds will stop it. Electronic article surveillance (17) and an extra video camera (18) guard against theft.

Term
No projected expiry on record.
- Priority and filed
- Granted
- Today
12 claims: 10 independent, 2 dependent
- 1Conclusies:Conclusions: 1. A self-scanning cash register system, characterized in that the barcode scanner is placed within reach of the customer, so that the customer has influence on the correct 1. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning met het kenmerk, dat de barcode scanner binnen het bereik van de klant is aangebracht, zodat de klant invloed heeft op de correcte 5 reading of the barcode and that the products, which are placed by the customer on or just before the scanning position on a transport medium, are transported from the customer's reach from the moment of scanning without manipulating these products or 5 lezing van de barcode en dat de producten, die door de klant op of vlak voor de scanpositie op een transportmedium worden gelegd, vanaf het moment van scannen buiten het bereik van de klant worden getransporteerd zonder deze producten te manipuleren of 10 move relative to the transport medium, whereby the products that have been manipulated or moved with respect to the transport medium after scanning are not accepted for payment and are returned to the customer for 10 te verplaatsen ten opzichte van het transportmedium, waarbij de producten, die na het scannen wel gemanipuleerd of verplaatst zijn ten opzichte van het transportmedium, niet worden geaccepteerd voor de afrekening en worden teruggevoerd naar de klant om 15 be scanned again if necessary. 15 eventueel opnieuw te worden gescand.
- 3A cash register system for self-scanning according to one or both 3. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of beide 25 previous claim (s), characterized in that the transport medium is provided with transparent plateaus or with plateaus provided with one or more windows, on which the products to be purchased can be placed by the customer in such a way that the barcodes on these products 25 voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat het transportmedium voorzien is van transparante plateaus of van plateaus voorzien van één of meerdere vensters, waarop de te kopen producten door de klant zodanig kunnen worden gelegd, dat de barcodes op deze producten 30 can be read by the barcode scanner arranged under these trays and where the products can be transported through the transport medium after reading the barcode without these products having to be manipulated or moved by the customer. 30 door de onder deze plateaus aangebrachte barcodescanner kunnen worden gelezen en waarbij de producten na het lezen van de barcode door het transportmedium kunnen worden getransporteerd zonder dat deze producten door de klant gemanipuleerd of verplaatst moeten worden. -84. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that each product is weighed out of the reach of the customer, the weight, inside for the system -84. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat elk product buiten het bereik van de klant gewogen wordt, waarbij het gewicht, binnen voor het systeem
- 45 acceptable margins, is compared with the weight known for the product in question and where the product in question is also not accepted for settlement, if the measured weight falls outside the permitted margins, possibly if the 5 acceptabele marges, wordt vergeleken met het voor het betreffende product bekende gewicht en waarbij het betreffende product eveneens niet wordt geaccepteerd voor de afrekening, indien het gemeten gewicht buiten de toegestane marges valt, waarbij eventueel indien het 10 The weight of a product is not known in the system, this weight is automatically added to the list of known products and weights and the product in question is accepted by the system for payment. 10 gewicht van een product niet bekend is in het systeem, dit gewicht automatisch wordt toegevoegd aan de lijst met bekende producten en gewichten en waarbij het betreffende product door het systeem wel wordt geaccepteerd voor de afrekening. 15 A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that in case a barcode cannot be read properly by the barcode scanner arranged under the transport medium, alternative input is possible with 15 5. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat in het geval dat een barcode niet goed gelezen kan worden door de onder het transportmedium aangebrachte barcodescanner, alternatieve invoer mogelijk is met 20 using a handheld scanner and / or optionally using input or selection of product information via a keyboard and a screen, which are arranged close to the scanning position. 20 behulp van een handscanner en/of eventueel met behulp van invoer of selectie van productinformatie via een toetsenbord en een scherm, die vlak bij de scanpositie zijn aangebracht.
- 56. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or 6. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of 25 several preceding claim (s), characterized in that prior to scanning the barcodes and subsequent acceptance or return of the products, the customer grants authorization to the cash register system, for example by means of a 25 meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat de klant voorafgaande aan het scannen van de barcodes en het daaropvolgende accepteren of retourneren van de producten aan het kassasysteem een machtiging verstrekt voor de afrekening, bijvoorbeeld met behulp van een 30 (bank) card or a chip card on which sufficient balance is available. 30 (bank)pas of een chipkaart waarop voldoende saldo beschikbaar is. -97. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that a tilting mechanism is provided in the transport medium for the purpose of the trays, with the aid of which the -97. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat ten behoeve van de plateaus in het transportmedium een kantelmechanisme is aangebracht, met behulp waarvan de 5 products lying on the plateaus can be ejected either on the conveyor belt, on which the products not accepted for payment are returned to the customer, or on the conveyor belt, on which the products accepted for payment are returned 5 op de plateaus liggende producten kunnen worden uitgeworpen hetzij op de transportband, waarop de voor de afrekening niet geaccepteerde producten worden teruggevoerd naar de klant, hetzij op de transportband, waarop de voor de afrekening geaccepteerde producten 10 are transferred to a position from which these products can be taken after settlement. 10 worden doorgevoerd naar een positie, vanwaar deze producten na de afrekening kunnen worden meegenomen.
- 68. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that this cash register system can be switched over in a simple manner. 8. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat dit kassasysteem op eenvoudige wijze omgeschakeld kan 15 in a fashion in which operation is possible by a staff member of the store or supermarket and in which the entire product range can be settled for settlement. 15 worden in een mode waarin bediening door een personeelslid van de winkel of supermarkt mogelijk is en waarbij het gehele productassortiment voor afrekening kan worden afgehandeld.
- 79. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or 9. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of 20 several preceding claim (s), characterized in that an anti-theft or EAS system is provided in the passage intended for the customer next to the cash register system, which emits an alarm signal in the event that an electronic anti-theft label is placed within the 20 meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat in de voor de klant bestemde doorgang naast het kassasysteem een anti-diefstal- ofwel EAS-systeem is aangebracht, dat een alarmsignaal afgeeft in het geval dat een elektronisch anti-diefstal etiket binnen het 25 range of this anti-theft system is observed. 25 bereik van dit anti-diefstal-systeem wordt waargenomen.
- 810. A self-scanning cash register system according to the preceding claim (s), characterized in that a deactivation system or deactivator is provided in the area where the products accepted for the settlement pass. 10. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens de voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat in het gebied, waar de voor de afrekening geaccepteerde producten passeren een deactiveersysteem ofwel deactivator is aangebracht, met 30 by means of which the electronic anti-theft labels affixed to the products accepted for payment are deactivated. 30 behulp waarvan de elektronische anti-diefstal etiketten die op de voor de afrekening geaccepteerde producten zijn aangebracht worden gedeactiveerd. -ίο -ίο
- 911. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that a detection system for electronic EAS labels is arranged, for example at the position between the 11. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat een detectiesysteem voor elektronische EAS-etiketten is aangebracht, bijvoorbeeld op de positie tussen de 5 barcode scanner and the scale and where not all products have EAS labels applied, or where different types of labels are applied to different products, so that it can be determined whether or not the read barcode has an EAS label or a 5 barcode scanner en de weegschaal en waarbij niet op alle producten EAS-etiketten worden aangebracht, of waarbij verschillende typen etiketten op verschillende producten worden aangebracht, zodat bepaald kan worden of bij de gelezen barcode al dan niet een EAS-etiket of een 10 a certain type of EAS label is present, after which, if this is not correct, the product concerned will also not be accepted for payment. 10 bepaald type EAS-etiket aanwezig is waarna, indien dit niet correct is, het betreffende product eveneens niet voor de afrekening worden geaccepteerd.
- 1012. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that in 12. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat in 15 the passage intended for the customer has a camera next to the cash register system, the image of which is passed on to a surveillance monitor, which can be used to check whether the shopping trolleys passing here are still visible 15 de voor de klant bestemde doorgang naast het kassasysteem een camera is aangebracht, waarvan het beeld wordt doorgegeven aan een bewakingsmonitor, met behulp waarvan controle kan worden uitgeoefend om te zien of zich in de hier passerende winkelwagens nog 20 products that have not been offered for payment via the cash register system. 20 producten bevinden, welke niet zijn aangeboden voor afrekening via het kassasysteem.
- 1214. A self-scanning cash register system according to one or more of the preceding claim (s), characterized in that the products that are not accepted for payment and which are returned to the customer, ultimately, if the customer still decides not to purchase the returned product in question, end up with a shelf for returned products, from which the operating staff regularly return the products to the sales area or warehouse. 14. Een kassasysteem voor zelfscanning volgens één of meerdere voorgaande conclusie(s) met het kenmerk, dat de producten die niet voor de afrekening worden geaccepteerd en die geretourneerd worden naar de klant uiteindelijk, indien de klant alsnog besluit het betreffende geretourneerde product niet te kopen, in een schap belanden voor geretourneerde producten, vanuit welk schap het bedienend personeel op gezette tijden de producten terugplaatst in de verkoopruimte of in het magazijn. O O t 9 4 O OO t 9 4 O Figure 3 Figuur 3 COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) SAMENWERKINGSVERDRAG (PCT)
Independent claims10
41 paragraphs in 3 sections, as filed
Office for the
Industrial Property
The Netherlands
<img file="NL1004940C2_D0001.tif" />
© 1004940 © C PATENT<sup>20</sup> @ Patent application: 1004940 © Filed: 07.01.97 © Int.CI.<sup>6</sup>
G07G1 / 12, G06K9 / 00
<td>© Registered:</td><td>© Patent holder (s):</td>
<td> 08.07.98</td><td>NV Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NEDAP ”in Groenlo.</td>
<td>(© Date:</td><td rowspan="2">© Inventor (s): Johannes Harm Lukas Hogen Esch in Aalten</td>
<td> 08.07.98</td>
<td>(45) Issued:</td><td rowspan="2">© Authorized representative: No</td>
<td>01.09.98 IE 98/09</td>
(54) Automatic cash register system with self-scanning.
© A self-scanning cash register system where the barcode scanner is placed within the range of the complaint, so that it can promote the correct reading of the barcode.
If the products are manipulated or moved with respect to the transport medium after scanning, they are not accepted for payment and are returned to the customer. In order to observe possible manipulation, the system is equipped with a video camera and image processing takes place. In addition, a check by weighting or a check for the presence of EAS labels can take place. Prior to scanning, the customer authorizes the system to pay using a debit card. The products are returned via trays fitted with a tilting mechanism and a conveyor belt. The cash register system can optionally also be operated by shop staff. An anti-theft system and additional video surveillance have been installed to protect the products.
NL C 1004940
The contents of this patent correspond to the original filed description with claim (s) and any drawings.
-1 AUTOMATIC CHECKOUT SYSTEM WITH SELF-SCANNING
The present invention relates to a cash register system for shops and supermarkets, in which the customer can scan and pay for the purchased goods himself, in an automated manner. Characteristic of the present invention is that the POS system performs a check on the correctness of the scanning and in this connection is also provided with an anti-theft signaling system often referred to as EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance). The products, which are not accepted during the aforementioned inspection, are returned to the customer via a conveyor belt, so that the customer can rescan the relevant goods. The customer can also decide not to buy the unaccepted goods, after which these goods are removed in a shelf, which is regularly emptied by the staff of the store or supermarket, where the goods are placed back on the appropriate shelves in the sales area. or in the warehouse.
The cash register system can also be switched to a clerk mode, with scanning and checkout done by a member of staff from the store or supermarket. Since it may not be possible to scan and process all goods that are offered with the help of the automated checkout system, an indication will be placed on or for all products that are not suitable for this, indicating that payment must be made at a cash register that has been served . In this way, all available POS systems can be used simultaneously, one or more POS systems in operated mode and the rest in automatic self-scan mode. Any customer who has only bought goods that are suitable for shipping
-2 and that is in possession of a (bank) card, with which payment can be made in an automated manner, can use one of the available POS systems according to the invention. As a result, the operated cash register systems will be relieved, allowing faster processing and flow to all available cash register systems and reducing the need for less operating staff, so that additional costs are saved for the store or supermarket.
The cash register system according to the invention is provided with a detection system with which it is possible to establish that the goods that have been scanned are indeed in transit and are not exchanged before these goods end up on the shelf intended for settled products. This detection system consists of a video camera with associated image processing system, which detects within a predefined image field that the goods are not moved in relation to the transport medium before they come under a protective cover and out of reach of the customer. The transport medium can be equipped with easily recognizable reference markings for this purpose.
If necessary, an additional check can be carried out by weighing the goods and comparing with sufficient margin to the weight known for each product. If the weight of a product is not known during the weighing, the system can add the result of the weighing to the list of products with known weights in a self-learning manner.
To prevent the purchased goods from being exchanged on the automated checkout system after scanning, each product on the scanner is placed on a tray, which is transparent or has one or more windows, so that the product concerned can be scanned lying on this tray turn into. Characteristic of the present invention is that the scanner is arranged within reach of the customer, so that the customer uses the product
-3rd position the scanner until the barcode is read correctly by the scanner. The aforementioned plateau is part of the transport medium for the products, which for instance consists of a kind of chain, provided with linked plateaus, which are suspended tiltably in this chain. After a product has been placed on the scanner and the barcode has been read, it no longer needs to be moved and the product remains in the same position on the tray intended for this product, out of reach of the customer, with manipulation checks taking place . Only one item is placed on each tray, after which it is scanned and transported, until the next tray is above the scanner. After scanning, a product may no longer be moved on the platform on which it is placed. In the cash register system according to the present invention, the latter is checked with the aid of a video camera, which records every movement that deviates from the movement of the transport medium with the plateaus. If such a deviating movement occurs with a product, this product is not accepted for settlement and returned for rescanning.
The cash register system according to the invention will be elucidated on the basis of three figures.
Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of the POS system in the automatic self-scanning mode.
Figure 2 schematically shows a top view of the cash register system in operated mode.
Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the cash register system in the automatic self-scanning mode at the height of the scanner.
In the self-scan mode, the cash register system consists of three transport media, as shown schematically in figure 1. The chain, provided with trays (1), a conveyor belt (2) to return the unaccepted products to the customer (3) or to a shelf (4), which is emptied regularly by the operating staff and
-4a conveyor belt (5) to transport the settled products to the shelf (6) from which these products can be taken after settlement by the customer (3), for example in a shopping cart (7). At the scanning position 5 (8), a scanner is located under the tray in transport medium (1). This scanner can scan the products from below as well as from the rear, because each plateau is slightly recessed at the rear and transparent both at the bottom and at the rear of the support surface. Due to this shape of the shelves, round products can also be stably laid and transported.
For safety reasons, a transparent semicircular hood (9), for example, has been fitted from the position after scanning to the removal (6), so that the products are not accessible to the customer during the inspection and sorting (3). As shown in the schematic cross section of Figure 3, the shelves (10) are rotatably suspended in the conveyor chain and can rotate approximately 90 degrees to eject the products, or on the conveyor (2) to return the products to the customer, or on the conveyor belt (5) to transport the products to the shelf (6) for the settled products. The scanner (11) is located under the tray (10) at the scanning position and can scan the product from both the bottom and the back via the transparent tray. A video camera (12) is arranged at the beginning of hood (9), with which every movement deviating from the movement of transport medium is recorded from the scanning position to under hood (9).
If such an anomalous movement occurs, the product in question is ejected at position (13) for the returns, as shown in figure 1. This ejection takes place, for example, by means of a roller, which is attached to each platform via a switchable switch and guide a rail, so that the platform in question is tipped empty during transport. In addition, a further scale can be fitted at position (14) under the transport medium (1),
-5 with which the weight of each product can be checked against the scanned barcode and the known weight associated with the product, if the weight is not correct, the product can also be ejected at position (13) and returned to the customer . If this check is also correct, the product is ejected at position (15) on conveyor belt (5), after which it is conveyed through this conveyor belt to the shelf (6) for settled products.
Before the customer can start scanning, a payment authorization must be given via terminal (16) or a payment or chip card with sufficient balance must be offered. The settlement may be closed if the balance is insufficient for further purchases.
If the last product is placed on the tray above the scanner, the checkout can be activated by pressing a dedicated key, after which the last products are checked and a receipt is printed, which lists the purchased goods.
The customer then walks to the shelf (6) where the purchased products can be packed and taken away.
A hand scanner is also present at the terminal (16), with which hard-to-read barcodes can be scanned at the scanning position (8). Here, the products may of course no longer be moved relative to the platform after scanning. Alternative input is also possible by means of input or selection of product information via a keyboard and a screen, which for example are also integrated in terminal (16).
An anti-theft or EAS system (17) is installed in the passageway between the cash register systems, which generates an alarm signal if secured products, provided with an electronic alarm label intended for this purpose, are taken along without paying. In connection with the EAS35 system, a so-called deactivator is provided, for example under conveyor belt (5) for the settled products, with which the products applied to the products
-6 electronic security labels are deactivated.
In combination with this EAS system, an additional video camera (18) can optionally be fitted, the image of which, for example, during the passage of a shopping cart, for a predetermined minimum time, is switched to a central surveillance monitor, which is also used by the first operator. POS system could be installed. The EAS system can additionally be equipped with a metal detector to detect the shopping trolleys. All self-scanning POS systems can therefore be monitored with only one central monitoring monitor.
As an additional control means, a detection system for electronic EAS labels can be applied, for example at the position between the barcode scanner and the scale. If these EAS labels are not affixed to all goods, but only to a part of the goods, or if different types of labels are applied to different products, it is possible to carry out an additional check. In this way, the exchange or manipulation of price labels with barcodes can also be traced, after which the products in question are also not accepted for payment.
Figure 2 schematically shows the cash register system according to the invention in the operated mode, in which a staff member (19) takes place behind the scanner and, for example, folds away a part of the conveyor belt (2). This conveyor belt (2) can be changed in direction of rotation, so that with it the purchased products can be transported to the shelf (6). The conveyor chain with shelves (1) may be stopped in operating mode and not used. The checkout functions of the cash register system can also be disabled in the operated mode.
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Contents3
4 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004008402A2 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| EP3699879A1 | Cited by | European Patent Office (EPO) | Search report |
| US9564031B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| WO2004008402A3 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| WO2014100827A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| US10074016B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| EP0338376A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Search report |
| EP0491348A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Search report |
| EP0657856A1 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Search report |
| EP0663655A2 | Cites | European Patent Office (EPO) | Search report |
| NL1001030C2 | Cites | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | Search report |
| GB2161631A | Cites | United Kingdom | Search report |
| GB2217887A | Cites | United Kingdom | Search report |
| DE3137572A1 | Cites | Germany | Search report |
| US3681571A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| US4327819A | Cites | United States of America | Search report |
| BE899018A | Cites | Belgium | Search report |
2 priority claims, no other members on record
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1004940 | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | A | |
| NL19971004940 | – | – | – |
Numbers
- Publication, DOCDB
- 1004940
- Publication, EPODOC
- NL1004940C
- Application
- 1004940
- Application, DOCDB
- 1004940
- Application, EPODOC
- NL19971004940
Titles2
- English
- Self-scanning check-out counter for shop
- Dutch
- Automatisch kassasysteem met zelfscanning.
Classification
- CPC, 3
- A47F9/048
- G07G1/0045
- G07G3/003
- IPC, 3
- A47F9 04
- G07G1 00
- G07G3 00