Abstract: A method of operating a retail system which includes a plurality of self-service checkout terminals, a first remote supervisor terminal, and a second remote supervisor terminal includes the step of operating the first remote supervisor terminal such that the first remote supervisor terminal monitors operation of each of the plurality of self-service checkout terminals during a first period of time. The method also includes the step of maintaining the second remote supervisor terminal in an idle mode of operation such that the second remote supervisor terminal does not monitor operation of any of the plurality of self-service checkout terminals during the first period of time. Yet further, the method includes the step of operating the first remote supervisor terminal such that the first remote supervisor terminal monitors operation of a first group of the plurality of self-service checkout terminals during a second period of time.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a user side on which a user is positioned during operation of the self-service checkout terminal, (ii) a rear side which is opposite the user side, (iii) an upstream end portion, and (iv) a downstream end portion which is opposite the upstream end portion. The self-service checkout terminal includes a scanner for scanning a product code associated with an item for purchase. The scanner is secured to the upstream end portion of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a printer secured to the user side of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal further includes an item collection surface for supporting the item for purchase subsequent to scanning thereof. The item collection surface being secured to the downstream end portion of the terminal base.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes an input device for receiving a user reported identity code associated with a user of the checkout terminal and a biometric sensing device for detecting a biometric characteristic of the user. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a processing unit electrically coupled to both the input device and the biometric sensing device. Moreover, the self-service checkout terminal includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit.

Abstract: A method of tracking produce selection data which minimizes fraud. The method includes the steps of receiving produce identification information, including a number of possible candidates, displaying the produce identification information, recording the produce selection data in a log record, and determining from information in the log record whether the produce selection data is likely incorrect and whether to issue an alert to store management.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a user side on which a user is positioned during operation of the self-service checkout terminal, (ii) a rear side which is opposite the user side, (iii) an upstream end portion, and (iv) a downstream end portion which is opposite the upstream end portion. The self-service checkout terminal includes a scanner for scanning a product code associated with an item for purchase. The scanner is secured to the upstream end portion of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a printer secured to the user side of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal further includes an item collection surface for supporting the item for purchase subsequent to scanning thereof. The item collection surface being secured to the downstream end portion of the terminal base.

Abstract: A checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a customer side, and (ii) a personnel side which is opposite the customer side. The checkout terminal also includes a code entry device secured to the terminal base. The code entry device is operable in (a) an assisted mode of operation in which a first item for purchase is entered with the code entry device by retail personnel, and (b) a self-service mode of operation in which a second item for purchase is entered with the code entry device by a customer. During operation of the code entry device in the personnel mode of operation (a) the retail personnel is positioned on the personnel side of the terminal base, and (b) the customer is positioned on the customer side of the terminal base. During operation of the code entry device in the self-service mode of operation the customer is positioned on the customer side of the terminal base. A method of operating a checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a department store retail system in order to perform a purchase transaction, with the department store retail system has a first self-service checkout terminal positioned in a first department of the department store and a supervisor terminal, includes the step of generating a first item-entered control signal if a customer enters a first item for purchase from the first department in the first self-service checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of determining if the customer has an additional item for purchase from the first department to enter in the first self-service checkout terminal in response to generation of the first item-entered control signal and generating a first no-additional-items control signal if the customer has no additional items from the first department to enter in the first self-service checkout terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail system so as to allow a customer to perform a retail transaction, with the retail system having a hand-held scanner device and a self-service checkout terminal, includes the step of storing a first number of records corresponding to a number of items in a scanner memory device of the hand-held scanner device when the customer scans the number of items with the hand-held scanner device. The method also includes the step of transferring the first number of records from the scanner memory device to a terminal memory device of the self-service checkout terminal and generating a transfer-complete control signal in response thereto. The method further includes the step of determining if the retail transaction of the customer is to be audited in response to generation of the transfer-complete control signal and generating an audit-required control signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout system which includes a base having a scanner secured thereto includes the step of securing an itemization-only retail terminal to the base. The method also includes the step of coupling the itemization-only retail terminal to the scanner. The method further includes the step of operating the itemization-only retail terminal and the scanner so as to allow a first user to enter a first number of items for purchase into the self-service checkout system for a first time period while (i) the itemization-only retail terminal is secured to the base, and (ii) the itemization-only retail terminal is coupled to the scanner. Moreover, the method includes the step of detaching the itemization-only retail terminal from the base. Yet further, the method includes the step of decoupling the itemization-only retail terminal from the scanner. The method further includes the step of securing a full-tendering retail terminal to the base.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal having a weight scale associated therewith includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a user enters a first item for purchase with a code entry device. The method also includes the step of monitoring output from the weight scale in response to generation of the item-entered control signal and generating an entered-item-detected control signal if the weight scale detects that the user placed the first item for purchase in a shopping container. In addition, the method includes the step of operating the self-service checkout terminal so as to allow the user to enter subsequent items for purchase in response to generation of the entered-item-detected control signal.

Abstract: A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell includes the step of locating a grocery container in the bagwell. The method also includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal. The method further includes the step of advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal. A self-service checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of providing security during operation of a self-service checkout terminal by detecting movement of an item within a scanner zone associated with the terminal with a video system and generating a scanning-attempt control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal if a product code associated with the item is entered into the terminal. The method further includes the step of generating an attempt-failed control signal if the item-entered control signal is not generated in response to the movement of the item within the scanner zone. Moreover, the method includes the step of detecting insertion of the item into a grocery container with the video system and generating a detection control signal in response thereto. The method yet further includes the step of generating an invalid-use control signal if the item-entered control signal has not been generated prior to generation of the detection control signal.