[0001] The present invention relates generally to a retail terminal, and more particularly
to a method and apparatus for operating a retail terminal to display a price of an
item in a number of different national currency types and/or different measurement
systems.
[0002] In a retail operation such as a grocery store a number of retail terminals are utilized
to facilitate a customer's visit to the store. For example, a given retail store may
include a number of retail terminals such as assisted or self-service checkout terminals,
information kiosks, and price checking terminals. An assisted checkout terminal is
a system which is operated by an employee of the retail store such as a checkout clerk
for the purpose of checking out a customer's items for purchase. A self-service checkout
terminal is a system which is operated by a customer without the aid of the checkout
clerk. In such a system, the customer scans individual items for purchase across a
scanner and then places the scanned items into a grocery bag, if desired. The customer
then pays for his or her items for purchase either at the self-service checkout terminal
if so equipped, or at a central payment area which is staffed by a store employee.
Moreover, an information kiosk is a system which is operated by a customer in order
to retrieve information such as product pricing, product description, uses for a given
product (e.g. recipes), and product location within the retailer's store. A price
checking terminal is a system which is operated by the customer to obtain the price
associated with an item. In such a system, the customer scans the item across the
scanner associated with the price checking terminal. Thereafter, the terminal communicates
with the store's network to obtain the price of the item which is then displayed on
a display screen associated with the terminal.
[0003] However, retail terminals which have heretofore been designed have a number of drawbacks
associated therewith. For example, retail terminals which have heretofore been designed
typically function with respect to only a single national currency type. What is meant
herein by the term "national currency type" is the unit of currency of a given nation
and all subsets (i.e. denominations) thereof. Examples of national currency types
include the U.S. Dollar, the German Deutch Mark, the Swedish Krona, and the Canadian
Dollar. Moreover, as used herein, the term "national currency type" also includes
regional units of currency. An example of a regional unit of currency includes the
forthcoming "EURO currency".
[0004] It should be appreciated that such a limitation (i.e. functioning with respect to
only a single national currency type) may undesirably reduce the usefulness of the
retail terminal to certain customers. In particular, in today's global market, many
consumers are traveling or even working outside of their native countries. Such consumers
may often be confused when using a retail terminal which only functions with respect
to a national currency type in which the consumer is not familiar with the exchange
rate. For example, a German citizen visiting the United States may not be able to
ascertain the relative cost of an item in the United States if the cost of the item
is only presented in U.S. Dollars. Moreover, even if the German citizen was able to
ascertain the relative cost of the item, retail terminals which have heretofore been
designed would not allow the German citizen to tender payment for the item by use
of German Deutch Marks.
[0005] Moreover, consumers traveling outside of their native countries may also have a difficult
time ascertaining certain product characteristics or features relating to items which
he or she is considering purchasing. In particular, retail terminals which have heretofore
been designed do not allow a customer to obtain information relating to a product
in more than one measurement system. What is meant herein by the term "measurement
system" is a system of measuring physical characteristics of an item which is commonly
utilized in one or more countries. Examples of measurement systems include the English
(Imperial) measurement system and the metric measurement system.
[0006] It should be appreciated that such a limitation (i.e. providing product characteristics
in only a single measurement system) may undesirably reduce the usefulness of the
retail terminal to certain customers. For example, a Swedish citizen visiting the
United States may have difficulty determining the relative weight of items such as
produce items since such items are typically sold by the pound (as opposed to sold
by the kilogram as would be typical in Sweden).
[0007] What is needed therefore is a retail terminal which overcomes one or more of the
above-mentioned drawbacks. What is particularly needed is a retail terminal which
facilitates use thereof by consumers who are accustomed to a national currency type
or a measurement system which varies from that which is used in the country in which
the retailer's operation is located.
[0008] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided,
a method of operating a retail terminal, comprising the steps of:
displaying information on an item in a first classification type;
generating a change-classification type control signal when a user of said retail
terminal operates an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to input
a classification type selection; and
displaying said information on said item in a second classification type in response
to generation of said control signal.
[0009] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided
a method of operating a retail terminal. The method includes the step of displaying
a price of an item in a first national currency type. The method also includes the
step of generating a change-currency control signal when a user of the retail terminal
operates an input device associated with the retail terminal so as to input a currency
selection. Moreover, the method includes the step of displaying the price of the item
in a second national currency type in response to generation of the change-currency
control signal.
[0010] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a method of operating a retail terminal, comprising the steps of:
displaying a characteristic of an item in an English measurement system;
generating a change-system control signal when a user of said retail terminal operates
an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to input a measurement
system selection; and
displaying said characteristic of said item in a metric measurement system in response
to generation of said change-system control signal.
[0011] In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a retail terminal,
comprising: a display monitor; an input device for receiving input from a user of
said retail terminal;
a processing unit electrically coupled to both said display monitor and said input
device; and
a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory
device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said
processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
(a) display information on an item in a first classification type with said display
monitor,
(b) generate a change-classification type control signal when said user of said retail
terminal inputs a classification type selection with said input device, and
(c) display said information on said item in a second classification type with said
display monitor in response to generation of said control signal.
[0012] In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided
a retail terminal. The retail terminal includes a display monitor. Moreover, the retail
terminal includes an input device for receiving input from a user of the retail terminal.
Yet further, the retail terminal includes a processing unit electrically coupled to
both the display monitor and the input device. Moreover, the retail terminal includes
a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has
stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processing
unit, causes the processing unit to (a) display a price of an item in a first national
currency type with the display monitor, (b) generate a change-currency control signal
when the user of the retail terminal inputs a currency selection with the input device,
and (c) display the price of the item in a second national currency type with the
display monitor in response to generation of the change-currency control signal.
[0013] In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a retail terminal,
comprising:
a display monitor;
an input device for receiving input from a user of said retail terminal;
a processing unit electrically coupled to both said display monitor and said input
device; and
a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory
device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said
processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
(a) display an item characteristic in a first measurement system with said display
monitor,
(b) generate a change-system control signal when said user of said retail terminal
inputs a measurement system selection with said input device, and
(c) display said item characteristic in a second measurement system with said display
monitor in response to generation of said change-system control signal.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to address the aforementioned problems.
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-service checkout terminal in accordance with
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the self-service checkout terminal of FIG.
1; and
FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various screen displays which are displayed on the display monitor
during operation of the self-service checkout terminal of FIG. 1.
[0016] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and
will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is
no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a retail terminal such as a self-service
checkout terminal 10 for use in a retail business such as a grocery store. For purposes
of the following discussion, the self-service checkout terminal 10 will be described
in detail; however, it should be appreciated that numerous other types of retail terminals
may also utilize the hereinafter described aspects of the present invention. For example,
an assisted checkout terminal (i.e. a retail checkout terminal which is operated by
a retail clerk), an information terminal such as a kiosk, or a price checking terminal
may also be configured to utilize the hereinafter described aspects of the present
invention.
[0018] The self-service checkout terminal 10 includes a status light device 11, a product
scale 12, a scanner 14, a card reader 30, a display monitor 32, a keypad 34, a printer
36, and a processing unit 26. The card reader 30, the display monitor 32, the keypad
34, and the printer 36 may be provided as separate components, or alternatively may
preferably be provided as components of an automated teller machine (ATM) 24.
[0019] The self-service checkout terminal 10 also includes a bagwell 38 for accommodating
one or more grocery bags (not shown) and a base 40 having a counter 42 secured thereto.
The counter 42 defines an arcuate surface as shown in FIG. 1. Such an arcuate surface
allows the scanner 14 to be positioned relatively close or otherwise proximate the
ATM 24 and hence the components associated therewith. Such a configuration facilitates
a customer's use of the self-service checkout terminal 10. Moreover, the bagwell 38
is configured to allow two or more grocery bags to be accessed by the customer at
any given time thereby allowing a customer to selectively load various item types
into the grocery bags. For example, the customer may desire to use a first grocery
bag for household chemical items such as soap or bleach, and a second grocery bag
for edible items such as meat and produce.
[0020] The scanner 14 conventionally scans or reads a product identification code such as
a Universal Product Code (UPC), industrial symbol(s), alphanumeric character(s), or
other indicia associated with an item to be purchased. One scanner which may be used
in the present invention is a model number 7875 bi-optic scanner which is commercially
available from NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.
[0021] The scanner 14 includes a first scanning window 14a and a second scanning window
14b. The first scanning window 14a is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner,
whereas the second scanning window 14b is disposed in a substantially vertical manner,
as shown in FIG. 1. The product scale 12 is integrated with the scanner 14. More specifically,
the product scale 12 is disposed substantially parallel to the scanning window 14a
thereby enveloping the scanning window 14a. If an item such as produce is placed upon
the product scale 12 or the first scanning window 14a, the product scale 12 may be
used to determine the weight of the item.
[0022] The scanner 14 also includes a light source (not shown) such as a laser, a rotating
mirror (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown), and a mirror array (not shown).
In operation, a laser beam reflects off the rotating mirror and mirror array to produce
a pattern of scanning light beams. As the product identification code on an item is
passed over the scanner 14, the scanning light beams scatter off the code and are
returned to the scanner 14 where they are collected and detected. The reflected light
is then analyzed electronically in order to determine whether the reflected light
contains a valid code pattern. If a valid code pattern is present, the product identification
code may then be utilized to retrieve product information associated with the item
(e.g. the price of the item) in the manner described below.
[0023] The display monitor 32 displays instructions which serve to guide a customer through
a checkout procedure. For example, an instruction is displayed on the display monitor
32 which instructs the customer to enter an item into the self-service checkout terminal
10 by either passing the item over the scanner 14, or placing the item on the product
scale 12 in order to obtain the weight of the item. Moreover, the display monitor
32 displays product information associated with items which are sold by the retailer.
For example, the display monitor 32 selectively displays the weight of items such
as produce or the liquid volume of a liquid item such as milk or bleach. Moreover,
the display monitor 32 may also be utilized to display product preparation information
such as preparation (e.g. baking) temperatures included in displayed recipes. The
display monitor 32 is preferably a known touch screen monitor which can generate data
signals when certain areas of the screen are touched by a customer.
[0024] The status light device 11 is provided in order to notify store personnel, such as
a customer service manager, if intervention into the customer's transaction is needed.
In particular, the status light device 11 may display a first colored light in order
to notify store personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the customer's
transaction. Alternatively, the status light device 11 may display a second colored
light in order to notify store personnel that intervention is needed immediately.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a simplified block diagram of the self-service
checkout terminal 10. The processing unit 26 is electrically coupled to the product
scale 12, the scanner 14, the card reader 30, the display monitor 32, and the keypad
34. The processing unit 26 is also electrically coupled to a network 25, and a central
server 16.
[0026] The processing unit 26 monitors output signals generated by the scanner 14 via a
communication line 29. In particular, when the customer scans an item which includes
a product identification code across the scanning windows 14a, 14b, an output signal
indicative of the product identification code is generated on the communication line
29.
[0027] The processing unit 26 is coupled to the product scale 12 via a data communication
line 31. In particular, when a customer places an item on the product scale 12, the
product scale 12 generates an output signal on the data communication line 31 indicative
of the weight of the item.
[0028] The processing unit 26 communicates with the display monitor 32 through a data communication
line 43. The processing unit 26 generates output signals on the data communication
line 43 which cause various instructional messages to be displayed on the display
monitor 32. As alluded to above, the display monitor 32 may include known touch screen
technology which can generate output signals when the customer touches a particular
area of the display screen associated with the display monitor 32. The signals generated
by the display monitor 32 are transmitted to the processing unit 26 via the data communication
line 43. It should be appreciated that the various instructional messages may also
be communicated via other devices in addition to or in lieu of the display monitor
32. For example, instructional messages may be generated with a voice generating device
(not shown) or an audible tone generating device (not shown).
[0029] The keypad 34 is coupled to the processing unit 26 through a data communication line
49. The keypad 34 may include one or more of a known keypad or a touch pad. It should
be appreciated that the touch screen associated with the display monitor 32 and the
keypad 34 define input devices which may be utilized by a customer to input values
associated with operation of the self-service checkout terminal 10. For example, the
customer may enter a request to change the measurement system in which product information
is displayed by use of the touch screen associated with the display monitor 32 or
the keys associated with the keypad 34. Moreover, the customer may select a given
national currency type from a number of displayed national currency types when tendering
payment for his or her items for purchase by use of the touch screen associated with
the display monitor 32 or the keys associated with the keypad 34. It should be appreciated
that numerous other types of input devices may also be used to allow the customer
to enter requests into the self-service checkout terminal.
[0030] Moreover, the card reader 30 is coupled to the processing unit through a data communication
line 45. The card reader 30 may include a known credit, debit, loyalty, and/or smart
card reader which is capable of reading information stored on the customer's card.
[0031] The processing unit 26 includes network interface circuitry (not shown) which conventionally
permits the self-service checkout terminal 10 to communicate with the retailer's network
25 such as a LAN or WAN through a wired connection 51. As shall be discussed further
below, the processing unit 26 communicates with the retailer's network 25 during the
checkout procedure in order to obtain information, such as pricing information, associated
with an item being scanned or otherwise entered, and also to verify customer credit
approval when appropriate. The network interface circuitry associated with the self-service
checkout terminal 10 may include a known Ethernet expansion card, and the wired connection
51 may include a known twisted-pair communication line. Alternatively, the network
interface circuitry may support wireless communications with the retailer's network
25.
[0032] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the retailer's network 25 is electrically coupled to
a banking network 48. The banking network 48 is preferably maintained by a banking
institution and is utilized to communicate financial information to the retailer's
network 25. In particular, exchange rates associated with the exchange of various
national currency types may be communicated from the banking network 48 to the retailer's
network 25. For example, in order to obtain up-to-date exchange rates associated with
the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Canadian Dollar, the retailer's network
25 communicates with the banking network 48 to obtain such exchange rate information.
It should be appreciated that the retailer's network 25 may communicate with the banking
network 48 on a regular basis (e.g. daily) in order to maintain up-to-date exchange
rate information. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that in lieu of an electronic
connection to the banking network 48, exchange rate information may be manually input
into the retailer's network 25 on a periodic basis.
[0033] The processing unit 26 communicates with the memory device 27 via a data communication
line 53. The memory device 27 is provided to maintain an electronic transaction table
which includes a record of the product information associated with each item that
is scanned, weighed, or otherwise entered during the user's use of the self-service
checkout terminal 10. For example, if the user scans a can of soup, the description
of the soup and the pricing information associated therewith is recorded in the transaction
table in the memory device 27. Similarly, if the user weighs a watermelon with the
product scale 12 and then enters a product lookup code associated with watermelon
via the data input device 34, product information associated with the watermelon is
recorded in the transaction table. Moreover, if a user entered a coupon or voucher,
the information associated therewith would also be recorded in the transaction table.
[0034] It should therefore be appreciated that the sum of each of the items recorded in
the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g. coupons), and (2) plus any applicable
taxes is the amount that the user pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data
stored in the transaction table is printed out on the printer 36 thereby generating
a receipt for the user at the end of his or her transaction.
[0035] In operation, the display monitor 32 displays item characteristics associated with
items being sold by the retailer during operation of the self-service checkout terminal
10. For example, the weight of an item such as produce is displayed on the display
monitor 32 during a checkout procedure. Moreover, the fluid volume of a liquid item
such as milk or bleach is displayed on the display monitor 32 during a checkout procedure.
Yet further, if the self-service checkout terminal 10 is being operated so as to display
preparation instructions such as a recipe, the preparation (e.g. baking) temperature
associated with an item may be displayed on the display monitor 32. In addition, dimensional
information such as the height, width, or depth of an item may also be displayed on
the display monitor 32.
[0036] Such product characteristics are initially presented in a measurement system which
is typically utilized in the country in which the self-service checkout terminal 10
is being operated. For example, product characteristics (e.g. weight, fluid volume,
preparation temperature, etc.) are typically presented in the English measurement
system in the United States, but may be presented in the metric measurement system
in Germany. For example, in the United States, the weight of an item is generally
presented in pounds, the fluid volume of an item is generally presented in gallons
(or fractions thereof), the preparation temperature of an item is typically presented
in degrees Fahrenheit, and dimensional characteristics (e.g. height, width, and depth)
are typically presented in feet and inches. However, in Germany, the weight of an
item is generally presented in kilograms, the fluid volume of an item is generally
presented in liters (or fractions thereof), the preparation temperature of an item
is typically presented in degrees Celsius, and dimensional characteristics (e.g. height,
width, and depth) are typically presented in meters (or fractions thereof). What is
meant herein by the terms "presented" or "presenting" is the act of communicating
information from the self-service checkout terminal 10 to the user. For example, the
weight of an item may be presented to a customer by displaying the weight on the display
monitor 32, by printing the weight with the printer 36, or by generating a voice message
containing the weight with a voice synthesizing device (not shown).
[0037] However, as shown in FIG. 3, if the user (e.g. the customer) desires to change the
measurement system in which product characteristics are presented, the customer may
enter a change request into one of the input devices associated with the self-service
checkout terminal 10. For example, the touch screen associated with the display monitor
32 may be configured to include a touch portion or button 50 which toggles or otherwise
changes the displayed product characteristic from the English measurement system to
the metric measurement system and vice versa. Hence, if the weight of a bunch of bananas
is being displayed as 1.33 pounds (see FIG. 3), and the user desires to view the weight
of the bananas in a different measurement system (e.g. metric), the user may touch
or otherwise actuate the touch button 50. When the user touches the touch button 50,
a change-system control signal is generated thereby causing the display monitor 32
to display the weight of the bunch of bananas as 0.60 kilograms (see FIG. 4). Similarly,
if the user wanted to return to displaying the weight of the bananas in pounds, the
user would simply have to touch the touch button 50 again. It should be appreciated
that a key on the keypad 34 could also be utilized to toggle the displayed product
characteristic between measurement systems (i.e. between English and metric).
[0038] Similarly, during operation of the self-service checkout terminal 10, the display
monitor 32 displays the price of an item in the national currency type which is typically
utilized in the country in which the self-service checkout terminal 10 is being operated.
For example, the price of the bananas is typically displayed in U.S. Dollars in the
United States, but may be presented in Deutch Marks in Germany. As shown in FIG. 5,
if the user (e.g. the customer) desires to change the national currency type in which
price of the item is displayed, the customer may enter a change request into one of
the input devices associated with the self-service checkout terminal 10. For example,
the touch screen associated with the display monitor 32 may be configured to include
a touch portion or button 52 which toggles or otherwise changes the displayed item
price from a first national currency type (e.g. U.S. Dollars) to a second national
currency type (e.g. Canadian Dollars). It should be appreciated that touching the
touch button 52 may scroll the user through a list of all of the national currency
types which are being accepted by the retailer. For example, touching the touch button
52 may cause the display monitor to scroll through a list containing the price of
the item in U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, German Deutch Marks, and Swedish Kronas.
[0039] Hence, if the price of a bunch of bananas is being displayed in U.S. Dollars as $1.47
(see FIG. 5), and the user desires to view the price of the bananas in a different
national currency type (e.g. Canadian Dollars), the user may touch or otherwise actuate
the touch button 52. When the user touches the touch button 52, a change-currency
control signal is generated thereby causing the display monitor 32 to display the
price of the bunch of bananas in Canadian Dollars as $2.25 as shown in FIG. 6 (assuming
a US $1.00 = Canadian $1.53 exchange rate). If the user wanted to return to displaying
the price of the bananas in U.S. Dollars, the user would simply have to touch the
touch button 52 again. It should be appreciated that a key on the keypad 34 could
also be utilized to toggle the displayed item price between national currency types
(i.e. between U.S. Dollars and Canadian Dollars).
[0040] As described above, the retailer's network 25 is preferably coupled to the banking
network 48 of a banking institution and is utilized to communicate financial information
to the retailer's network 25. Hence, the exchange rate associated with the exchange
of various national currency types may be communicated from the banking network 48
to the retailer's network 25 for use by the self-service checkout terminal 10. In
particular to the example described above, in order to obtain up-to-date exchange
rates associated with the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Canadian Dollar,
the retailer's network 25 communicates with the banking network 48 to obtain such
exchange rate information.
[0041] Moreover, the self-service checkout terminal 10 may also be operated to accept payment
for a customer's items for purchase in a number of different national currency types.
For example, after selecting each of his or her items for purchase, the customer may
approach the self-service checkout terminal 10 in order to checkout his or her items.
Once initialized, the customer may scan with the scanner 14 or otherwise enter each
of his or her items for purchase into the self-service checkout terminal 10. As each
item is entered into the terminal 10, an item-entered control signal is generated
thereby causing the price of the item to be displayed on the display monitor 32. As
discussed above, the customer may toggle the touch button 52 in order to view the
price of each item in the national currency type of the customer's choice.
[0042] When the customer has entered the last of his or her items for purchase, a total
amount of the customer's items for purchase is displayed on the display monitor 32
in each of the national currency types in which the retailer will accept payment.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the total amount of the customer's items for purchase
may be shown in U.S. Dollars as $56.78 and also Canadian Dollars $86.80 (assuming
the same exchange rate as above). If the customer touches the touch button 54, a currency-selected
control signal is generated and the self-service checkout terminal 10 is operated
so as to allow the customer to tender payment for his or her items for purchase in
U.S. Dollars. Alternatively, if the customer touches the touch button 56, a different
currency-selected control signal is generated and the self-service checkout terminal
10 is operated so as to allow the customer to tender payment for his or her items
for purchase in Canadian Dollars. It should be appreciated that if the retailer is
also accepting other national currency types (e.g. Swedish Kronas, German Deutch Marks,
etc.), the total amount of the customer's items for purchase would also appear in
such additional national currency types with a touch button corresponding thereto.
Yet further, it should be noted that if the retailer desires to encourage the customer
to tender payment for his or her items for purchase in a preferred national currency
type, the retailer may configure the self-service checkout terminal 10 such that a
discounted total amount is displayed on the display monitor 32 in the preferred national
currency type relative to the other national currency types accepted by the retailer.
[0043] Once the national currency type has been selected by the customer, the self-service
checkout terminal 10 is operated so as to allow the customer to tender payment for
his or her items for purchase in the national currency type that he or she selected.
For example, in regard to FIG. 7, if the customer touches touch button 56, the self-service
checkout terminal 10 is operated so as to allow the customer to tender payment in
Canadian Dollars. It should be appreciated that the customer may tender payment by
inserting cash into a cash acceptor (not shown) associated with the self-service checkout
terminal 10 which is configured to "recognize" bills from each of the national currency
types that are accepted by the retailer. In the case of when a customer inserts cash
into the cash acceptor, the self-service checkout terminal 10 may provide change via
a bill dispenser (not shown) and a coin dispenser (not shown). Change provided by
the self-service checkout terminal is preferably dispensed in the same national currency
type that the customer selected (and hence tendered payment).
[0044] Moreover, the customer may tender payment for his or her items for purchase by use
of a bank card. For example, the customer may insert his or her credit card into the
card reader 30 such that the cash amount of his or her items for purchase is charged
to the credit account associated with the customer's credit card. Moreover, the customer
may insert his or her debit card into the card reader 30 such that the cash amount
of his or her items for purchase is debited or otherwise reduced from the cash account
associated with the customer's debit card. Yet further, the customer may insert his
or her smart card into the card reader 30 such that the cash amount of his or her
items for purchase is reduced from the cash account stored on the customer's smart
card. It should be appreciated that in the case of the customer's use of a credit,
debit, or smart card, the customer's payment is tendered in the national currency
type that he or she selected.
[0045] It should be noted that the retailer may selectively choose the manner in which the
customer is required to tender payment for his or her items for purchase in certain
situations. For example, the retailer may only accept payment by use of a credit,
debit, or smart card (i.e. not accept cash payments) during certain times of the day
or night for security reasons.
[0046] As described herein, operation of the self-service checkout terminal 10 according
to the present invention described herein has numerous advantages over heretofore
designed retail terminals. For example, operation of the self-service checkout terminal
10 according to the present invention allows a customer to view product characteristics
(e.g. weight, fluid volume, preparation temperatures, etc.) in the measurement system
(e.g. English or metric) that he or she is accustomed to using. Moreover, operation
of the self-service checkout terminal 10 according to the present invention allows
a customer to view the price of an item and tender payment for the item in the national
currency type that he or she chooses (if accepted by the retailer).
[0047] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings
and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered
as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred
embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that
come within the scope of the invention are desired to be protected.
[0048] For example, in addition to being utilized to display the price of an item in a number
of different national currency types, a retail terminal according to the present invention
may be utilized to display the price of an item or service in regard to a number of
varying commercial currency types. For instance, a retail terminal according to the
present invention may be utilized to display the price of an airline flight in terms
of a number of different frequent flyer program points offered by various airlines.
1. A method of operating a retail terminal, comprising the steps of:
displaying information on an item in a first classification type;
generating a change-classification type control signal when a user of said retail
terminal operates an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to input
a classification type selection; and
displaying said information of said item in a second classification type in response
to generation of said control signal.
2. A method of operating a retail terminal as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps
of:
displaying a price of an item in a first national currency type;
generating a change-currency control signal when a user of said retail terminal operates
an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to input a currency selection;
and
displaying said information of said item in a second national currency type in response
to generation of said change-currency control sign.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the steps of:
determining an exchange rate between said first national currency type and said second
national currency type; and
determining said price of said item in said second national currency type based on
said exchange rate.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, comprising the steps of:
generating an item-entered control signal when said user enters said item into said
retail terminal; and
displaying said price of said item in both said first national currency type and said
second national currency type in response to generation of said item-entered control
signal.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, comprising the steps of:
generating a currency-selected control signal if said user of said retail terminal
operates said input device so as to select said first national currency type; and
operating said retail terminal so as to allow said user to tender payment for said
item in said first national currency type in response to generation of said currency-selected
control signal.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said step of operating said retail terminal
so as to allow said user to tender payment for said item in said first national currency
type includes the step of charging a cash amount to a credit account associated with
a credit card in response to generation of the payment signal.
7. A method of operating a retail terminal, comprising the steps of:
displaying a characteristic of an item in an English measurement system;
generating a change-system control signal when a user of said retail terminal operates
an input device associated with said retail terminal so as to input a measurement
system selection; and
displaying said characteristic of said item in a metric measurement system in response
to generation of said change-system control signal.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
said step of displaying said characteristic of said item in said English measurement
system includes the step of displaying a weight or volume of said item in said English
measurement system, and
said step of displaying said characteristic of said item in said metric measurement
system includes the step of displaying said weight or volume of said item in said
metric measurement system.
9. A method as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein:
said step of displaying said characteristic of said item in said English measurement
system includes the step of displaying a preparation temperature of said item in said
English measurement system, and
said step of displaying said characteristic of said item in said metric measurement
system includes the step of displaying said preparation of said item in said metric
measurement system.
10. A retail terminal, comprising:
a display monitor;
an input device for receiving input from a user of said retail terminal;
a processing unit electrically coupled to both said display monitor and said input
device; and
a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory
device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said
processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
(a) display information on an item in a first classification type with said display
monitor,
(b) generate a change-classification type control signal when said user of said retail
terminal inputs a classification type selection with said input device, and
(c) display said information on said item in a second classification type with said
display monitor in response to generation of said control signal.
11. A retail terminal, comprising:
a display monitor;
an input device for receiving input from a user of said retail terminal;
a processing unit electrically coupled to both said display monitor and said input
device; and
a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory
device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said
processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
(a) display a price of an item in a first national currency type with said display
monitor,
(b) generate a change-currency control signal when said user of said retail terminal
inputs a currency selection with said input device, and
(c) display said price of said item in a second national currency type with said display
monitor in response to generation of said change-currency control signal.
12. A retail terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein said plurality of instructions,
when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:
(a) determine an exchange rate between said first national currency type and said
second national currency type, and
(b) determine said price of said item in said second national currency type base on
said exchange rate.
13. A retail terminal as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, comprising a scanner which is
electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said plurality of instructions,
when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:
(a) generate an item-entered control signal when said user enters said item into said
retail terminal with said scanner, and
(b) display said price of said item in both said first national currency type and
said second national currency type with said display monitor in response to generation
of said item-entered control signal.
14. A retail terminal as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, wherein said plurality of
instructions, when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing
unit to:
(a) generate a currency-selected control signal when said user of said retail terminal
operates said input device so as to select said first national currency type, and
(b) operate said retail terminal so as to allow said user to tender payment for said
item in said first national currency type in response to generation of said currency-selected
control signal.
15. A retail terminal, comprising:
a display monitor;
an input device for receiving input from a user of said retail terminal;
a processing unit electrically coupled to both said display monitor and said input
device; and
a memory device electrically coupled to said processing unit, wherein said memory
device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by said
processing unit, causes said processing unit to:
(a) display an item characteristic in a first measurement system with said display
monitor,
(b) generate a change-system control signal when said user of said retail terminal
inputs a measurement system selection with said input device, and
(c) display said item characteristic in a second measurement system with said display
monitor in response to generation of said change-system control signal.
16. A retail terminal as claimed in claim 15, wherein said plurality of instructions,
when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:
(a) display a weight or volume of an item in an English measurement system with said
display monitor, and
(b) display said weight or volume of said item in a metric measurement system with
said display monitor in response to generation of said change-system control signal.
17. A retail terminal as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said plurality of instructions,
when executed by said processing unit, further causes said processing unit to:
(a) display a preparation temperature of an item in an English measurement system
with said display monitor, and
(b) display said preparation temperature of said item in a metric measurement system
with said display monitor in response to generation of said change-system control
signal.