Abstract: A self-checkout system for a retail establishment that allows a customer to checkout multiple items having respective identification codes, the system includes a computer having memory with a buffer, an identification code reader coupled to the computer for determining the identifications of the items by the identification codes, a security verification mechanism coupled to the computer for verifying that the items actually being checked out from the retail establishment are the same as those identified by the identification code reader, and whereby the computer is adapted to store identification information of multiple items obtained by the identification code reader in the buffer before verifying that the items actually being checked out from the retail establishment are the same as those identified by the identification code reader.

Abstract: A system and method of verifying an identification of a customer using a self-checkout system of a retail establishment, the method including capturing an image of a customer's identification at the self-checkout system and displaying the customer's identification at a location remote from the self-checkout system to verify the identification of the customer. Capturing an image of a customer's identification may include, for example, obtaining an image of a customer's drivers license, retrieving stored information that would normally be found on a customer's drivers license such as a picture of the customer and personal information on the customer, and/or obtaining an image of the customer. This information may be displayed at an attendant station of the retail establishment so that an attendant can verify the customer's identity for purchasing age-restricted items such as tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or certain solvents, or for other purposes.

Abstract: A method of biometrically identifying a customer of a retail or non-retail establishment to facilitate or enhance the customer's shopping experience. The method includes obtaining a biometric profile representative of a biometric characteristic of a customer using a biometric sensing device; retrieving shopping history related information for the customer based on the biometric profile; and providing the customer with one or more items that facilitate or enhance the customer's shopping experience such as coupons, a shopping list, and/or a map showing the physical location of shopping list items in the retail establishment, the one or items based on the shopping history related information.

Abstract: A self-checkout system for a retail establishment that allows a customer to checkout multiple items having respective identification codes, the system includes a computer having memory with a buffer, an identification code reader coupled to the computer for determining the identifications of the items by the identification codes, a security verification mechanism coupled to the computer for verifying that the items actually being checked out from the retail establishment are the same as those identified by the identification code reader, and whereby the computer is adapted to store identification information of multiple items obtained by the identification code reader in the buffer before verifying that the items actually being checked out from the retail establishment are the same as those identified by the identification code reader.