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(11) | EP 1 014 321 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method and apparatus for operating a retail terminal to display a price of an item in a number of different national currencies and/or different measurement systems |
| (57) A method of operating a retail terminal includes the step of displaying a characteristic
of an item in a first classification type. The method also includes the step of generating
a change-type control signal when a user of the retail terminal operates an input
device associated with the retail terminal so as to input a classification type selection.
Moreover, the method includes the step of displaying the characteristic of the item
in a second classification type in response to generation of the change-system control
signal |
[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.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
(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.