Retail checkout system and checkout device for use therewith

Abstract

 A retail checkout system (10) allows a customer to gather and pay for items without going through a checkout lane. The system includes a wireless checkout device (11) transported by a customer, preferably on a shopping cart, which the customer uses to identify and pay for items associated with a shopping transaction. The checkout device (11) includes a wireless communication device (24), a scanner (18), and a marking/unmarking device (20). The marking/unmarking device (20) is operative to deactivate security devices on the items when the items are scanned a first time by the customer and to reactivate the security devices when the items are scanned a second time by the customer. The system also includes a central computer (26) and a wireless communication network linking the checkout device (11) with the computer (26). A security system located at an exit and coupled to the computer (26) senses items which have not been deactivated by the marking/unmarking device (20) and alerts the computer (26) and security personnel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to retail stores and equipment, and more specifically to a retail checkout system and shopping method.

[0002] Retail stores typically require customers to funnel through checkout lanes, one person at a time, to pay for the goods and services. This results in the problem that, when a store has an insufficient number of checkout stations or people to man them during any given level of customer activity, customers must line up and wait to complete the sale that results in a transfer of assets.

[0003] Retail stores employing unattended checkout lanes experience a similar problem. During peak periods of customer demand, customers must line up at a machine that requires tender of payment before access to merchandise or services is allowed.

[0004] In either case, the lines become bottlenecks which inconvenience customers, possibly to the point of customers leaving to shop elsewhere. Other lost sales are from customers who simply avoid the retail location at known busy times and shop elsewhere, because of past inconvenience from delays.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a retail system for the sale of goods or services which alleviates the problems referred to above.

[0006] According to the invention there is provided a checkout system characterized by a checkout device transportable by a customer and adapted to be used by the customer to identify and pay for items associated with a shopping transaction, said checkout device including a wireless communication device; and a central computer linked by a communication network with said checkout device.

[0007] Preferably, a checkout system in accordance with the invention includes a security system arranged to sense items which have not been identified and purchased. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said security system includes scanning means for scanning items, and a marking/unmarking device operative to deactivate security devices on the items when the items are scanned a first time by said scanning means, and operative to reactivate the security devices when the items are scanned a second time by said scanning means.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a retail checkout system in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a shopping cart or trolley having customer-operated components of the system of Fig. 1.

[0009] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, system 10 includes device 11, which includes controller 12, card reader 14, receipt generator 16, scanner 18, marking/unmarking device 20, keypad 22, display 23, and wireless communication device 24. System 10 also includes central computer 26, and security sensor 28.

[0010] Device 11 is attached to a shopping cart or trolley 13 or to a basket. The device 11 may be a hand-held, palm-sized or card-sized device that a customer could carry during shopping. It may be provided by the retail establishment or it may be owned by the customer. It is battery-powered.

[0011] A "retailer" or "retail establishment" or "store" is herein broadly defined to include a store, a vending machine, or other establishment or device, which is in business to exchange goods or services for cash or other tender, and which is open for individual or small quantity consumer sales. Examples include supermarkets, cafeterias, food vending areas, department stores, speciality stores, convenience stores, automobile service stations, discount stores, hardware stores, furniture stores, and other stores where self-service shopping is or could be implemented.

[0012] Controller 12 is the heart of device 10. It controls operation of components 14-24 and contains memory for storing transaction information.

[0013] A transaction is initiated by a customer inserting a customer card into the card reader 14. Card reader 14 is used to enter customer information, such as an account number, carried on the customer card. Card reader 14 may be a magnetic stripe reader or a SMART card reader. Preferably, card reader 14 contains a slot for retaining a customer card securely in place during a transaction.

[0014] Receipt generator 16 provides a record of the transaction to the customer. Preferably, receipt generator 16 is a printer.

[0015] Scanner 18 reads bar code information off merchandise items. The prices of the scanned items are automatically entered and tallied. Scanner 18 may be a laser scanner or a charge-coupled device scanner.

[0016] Marking/unmarking device 20 disarms security devices which have been placed on merchandise items, and arms security devices on items which have been returned to the shelf. Device 20 may be a magnetic device similar to that found in libraries for checking out books.

[0017] Keypad 22 includes special function buttons, and may additionally include standard retail terminal keypad keys. The special function buttons may include a "help" button 30 for obtaining visual or aural help information, a "put-back" button 32 for rearming the merchandise security device when an item is returned to a shelf, and a "finished-shopping" button 33 to finalize the transaction.

[0018] Display 23 is used to display help and other messages, as well as keypad entries.

[0019] Wireless communication device 24 communicates account information from card reader 14 to central computer 26 and receives a verification signal from central computer 26 representing an authorization for the customer to purchase. Infrared or radio frequency or other frequencies are envisioned by the present invention. The verification signal may be used to activate an indicator 31, such as a light or a speaker, or to display a message on display 23. Wireless communication device 24 may also be used to relay price and inventory information.

[0020] Connector port 34 facilitates cable connection of device 11 to a personal computer.

[0021] Central computer 26 communicates with each device 11 and with credit card or signature authorization facilities. Central computer 26 may include a single processor supporting multiple shoppers, or it may include many processors, one for each device 11. Central computer 12 may also be integrated with electronic shelf label systems or merchandise tags containing microprocessors, communications, and memory.

[0022] Security sensor 28 senses items which have not been scanned by the scanner 18 and unmarked by the device 20 and whose prices have not been included in the final bill, the sensor 28 being arranged to alert the central computer 26 and security personnel.

[0023] Upon entering a retail location, customers gain access to a retailer-owned personal checkout device 11 or announce that they have brought their own device 11. A store-owned device 11 may be accessed by inserting a personal identity card (or charge card or debit card) in card reader 14.

[0024] If customers own devices 11, entry into a shopping session is initiated by electronically signalling the retailer of their presence and their intent to shop. Verification is received from central computer 26 and indicated on display 23 or indicator 31. At the same time, a receipt generator 16 initiates a transaction record.

[0025] Customers who own devices 11 may use them to create shopping lists while away from the retail location and display these lists during their shopping. Shopping list reminders may be preloaded into the memory of controller 12 by connecting device 11 into a home or office computer using connector port 34. Device 11 may automatically transmit the list when the customer enters the retail location, thereby allowing central computer 26 to provide pre-programmed reminders to purchase needed items. For store-owned devices 11, the same functionality may be provided by having a customer's home or office computer communicate shopping lists and reminders to central computer 26 prior to the shopping trip.

[0026] Unobtrusively, controller 12 stores electronic records, such as transaction totals and details, in its memory. Controller 12 may also communicate these and other data to the retail establishment through central computer 26 in an interactive fashion as the customer initiates new events on device 11. During entry and exit, central computer 26 communicates with remote credit card authorization facilities.

[0027] While the customer is shopping, the customer's card preferably remains in device 11. The customer scans merchandise items before placing them in the shopping cart. During scanning, marking/unmarking device 20 deactivates security devices on the articles. Indicator 31 may be employed to indicate to the customer that the merchandise item has been properly scanned and that the item's security device has been deactivated. Error conditions and indications of malfunctions may also be provided by indicator 31.

[0028] In order to return an item to the shelf, a customer must activate put-back button 32 and rescan the item. As the customer passes the item across scanner 18, marking/unmarking device 20 reactivates the security device on the item. Preferably the security devices are magnetic. Thus, the marking/unmarking device 20 is operative to demagnetize the security devices when the items are scanned a first time and to magnetize the security devices when the items are scanned a second time.

[0029] To obtain help from retail personnel, a customer activates help button 30. Controller 12 then signals store personnel through central computer 26.

[0030] As merchandise is scanned for purchase or rescanned for return, device 11 may communicate with central computer 26 to obtain prices and descriptions and to update inventory numbers. This information may be made available to the customer through display 23 or receipt generator 16.

[0031] Special goods and services which are not typically capable of being scanned may be recorded using device 11. Preferably, special tags or catalogues describing these goods and services are scanned by the customer. Order information may be transmitted to store personnel and pickup information may be transmitted back to the customer and displayed. For showroom items, after an item tag is scanned, messages such as "This item is in stock in all the colours described, and can be delivered Thursday. Push the green button to purchase.", may be displayed or spoken.

[0032] The customer's shopping activities may be monitored by site-level machines or humans. Special information or advertising messages, which are targeted to a customer's buying history, current purchases, or other file data, may be sent to the customer and displayed during shopping. For example, a customer might normally buy a bottle of wine at a grocery store to go with a steak. If on a current shopping trip, the customer bought a steak, but then walked past the wine display without buying, a message may be displayed or spoken to remind the customer to buy a bottle of wine: "Wouldn't a good bottle of wine go well with your steak?"

[0033] While shopping, any shopping list items previously loaded into the device 11 or sent to the retailer via wireless communication device 24 may result in timely messages. For example, messages such as "Don't forget, you wanted a detergent," may be transmitted to device 11 and displayed or spoken as the shopper inadvertently bypasses the laundry detergent aisle.

[0034] A transaction is finalized by the customer activating the finished-shopping button 33, transmitting a signal having transaction information to the central computer 26 by the wireless communication device 24 in response to the activation of the button 33, verifying payment, and transmitting a signal to the customer that the transaction is complete. When the customer intends to complete a shopping transaction, the customer activates the finished-shopping button 33 in a special security area of the retail location, close to an exit, or in an aisle separating different departments. Security is provided by virtue of sensor 28 checking the items gathered by the customer for an item not scanned by the customer. Activation of the finished-shopping button 33 also returns the customer's card and alerts store security personnel that the customer wishes to leave the store. A positive response from the retailer, either aural or visual, indicates a successful transaction. Receipt generator 16 then provides a record of the transaction.

[0035] Advantageously, system 10 provides a consistent, automated interaction environment between customers and retailer. It also provides additional interaction that might be required or helpful as customers select their purchases.

[0036] By avoiding the need for manned queues, system 10 reduces the manpower required to operate many kinds of stores. Thus, operating costs are reduced and low-cost labour shortages cease to be a problem.

[0037] System 10 has attributes and safeguards which minimize theft, both theft from the retailer and theft from the individual shopper. These attributes stem from the inherent nature of device 11 and from additional features incorporated into system 10 to assist in the security role. For example, attachment of device 11 to any kind of basket, bag, or shopping cart containing goods helps keep those goods secure from theft because the customer would not leave device 11 unattended. The customer either owns or has responsibility for device 11 and would not want to stray too far from device 11 or the card inside it.

[0038] Theft from the store is minimized by locating sensor 28 at each exit. Knowing that such sensors 28 are in place, a customer would be motivated to scan each item before placing it in the cart. Pressing the finished-shopping button anywhere but in a designated "Exit Area" triggers an alarm.

[0039] At retail locations where average item price is low, there are alternatives to physically marking every item in the store for security. Only a certain percentage of items may be marked, with these marks being hidden so that customers do not know which ones are not marked. Experience with prior theft deterrent systems has shown that it is not necessary for every item to be marked in order to deter theft from a store. Similarly, in some stores the only items marked are expensive items or items shown from experience to be more likely to be stolen (such as leather jackets or packs of cigarettes). Again, retail experience has shown that these selective markings provide substantial overall benefits.

[0040] Wireless communication circuit 24 supports crime prevention. It minimizes the chances that device 11 will become a marketable entity, simply by matching against a "hot list" of stolen devices a unique device number sent from each device 11 which enters the store. In a similar fashion, devices 11 which contain stolen charge cards would be detected at customer entry, providing a substantial amount of time for the retailer to act on this information. Finally, exiting the store or its surrounding area with device 11 without activating the finished-shopping button causes an alarm to sound via communicated signals.

Claims

1. A checkout system (10) characterized by a checkout device (11) transportable by a customer and adapted to be used by the customer to identify and pay for items associated with a shopping transaction, said checkout device including a wireless communication device (24); and a central computer (26) linked by a communication network with said checkout device (11).

2. A checkout system according to claim 1, characterized in that said checkout device (11) includes a security system (18,20) arranged to sense items which have not been identified and purchased.

3. A checkout system according to claim 2, characterized in that said security system (18,20) includes scanning means (18) for scanning items, and a marking/unmarking device (20) operative to deactivate security devices on the items when the items are scanned a first time by said scanning means, and operative to reactivate said security devices when the items are scanned a second time by said scanning means.

4. A checkout system according to claim 3, characterized in that said security devices are magnetic and said marking/unmarking device (20) is operative to demagnetize said security devices when the items are scanned a first time and to magnetize said security devices when the items are scanned a second time.

5. A checkout system according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterized by security sensor means (28) for sensing security devices which have not been deactivated.

6. A checkout system according to claim 5, characterized in that said sensor means (28) is located at an exit of the retail establishment where said shopping transaction takes place, and is arranged to alert said central computer (26) and security personnel if said sensor means senses one or more security devices which have not been deactivated.

7. A checkout system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said checkout device (11) includes a card reader (14) for reading information carried on a customer card.

8. A checkout system according to claim 7, characterized by input means (33) operable by a customer to indicate that a shopping transaction has been completed, said card reader (14) being arranged to retain the customer card until such time as said input means (33) has been operated.

9. A checkout system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said checkout device (11) is arranged to be attached to transport means (13) for transporting items associated with a shopping transaction.

10. A checkout system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said checkout device (11) includes display means (23) for displaying information to a customer.

11. A checkout device (11) for use in a checkout system according to any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing