US5747784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for enhancing security in a self-service checkout station
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-22
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2016-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for checking out an item through a self-service checkout station which includes a scanner which generates a first signal when the scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item, a sensor which generates a second signal when the sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner, a recorder which generates a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner, and a processing unit coupled to the scanner, the sensor and the recorder which causes the recorder to playback the visual recording on a display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Joanne S. Walter
- 👤 Tracy L. Flynn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:10
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2451; G08B13/246; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/046; A47F9/047; A47F9/048; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G3/00; G07G3/006; G08B13/2465; G08B13/248; G08B13/2482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A self-service checkout station comprising: a scanner which generates a first signal when the scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item; a sensor which generates a second signal when the sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner; a recorder which generates a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner; and a processing unit coupled to the scanner, the sensor and the recorder which causes the recorder to playback the visual recording on a display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A self-service checkout station comprising: a scanner which generates a first signal when the scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item; a sensor which generates a second signal when the sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner; a recorder which generates a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner; and a processing unit coupled to the scanner, the sensor and the recorder which causes the recorder to playback the visual recording on a display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 1, wherein the recorder includes a camera which captures a video image of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner, and a storage unit which stores the video image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 2, wherein the sensor includes imaging software which analyzes the video image to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 2, wherein the video image is stored on a video tape associated with the storage unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 1, wherein the recorder includes a camera which captures a digital image of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner, and a storage unit which stores the digital image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 5, wherein the sensor includes imaging software which analyzes the digital image to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 5, wherein the digital image is stored in a memory associated with the storage unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The self-service checkout station of claim 1, wherein the processing unit causes an instruction to be displayed on the display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of checking out an item through a self-service checkout station comprising the steps of: generating a first signal when a scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item; generating a second signal when a sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner; generating a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner; and playing-back the visual recording on a display monitor when a processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of checking out an item through a self-service checkout station comprising the steps of: generating a first signal when a scanner detects a machine readable code associated with an item; generating a second signal when a sensor detects a motion used to scan the item across the scanner; generating a visual recording of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner; and playing-back the visual recording on a display monitor when a processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the generating a visual recording step includes the steps of: capturing a video image of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner with a camera; and storing the video image in a storage unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the generating a second signal step includes the step of: analyzing the video image to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the analyzing step includes the step of: analyzing the video image with imaging software to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the storing step includes the step of storing the video image on a video tape associated with the storage unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the visually recording step includes the steps of: capturing a digital image of the motion used to scan the item across the scanner with a camera; and storing the digital image in a storage unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the generating a second signal step includes the step of: analyzing the digital image to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the analyzing step includes the step of: analyzing the digital image with imaging software to detect the motion used to scan the item across the scanner.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the storing step includes the step of storing the digital image in a memory associated with the storage unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9, further including the step of: displaying an instruction on the display monitor when the processing unit receives the second signal but not the first signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |