Abstract: A self-checkout system includes a cabinet having an opening and walls defining a vending space. The system includes a barrier having a lock and configured to restrict access to the vending space. The system includes a product configured for placement in the vending space. The system includes a product identification tag attached to the product. The system includes a tag detector configured to detect product data and detect when the product passes through the opening. The system includes a database configured to store an inventory of products and a corresponding account the products are allocated to. The system includes a self-checkout apparatus connected to the database and configured to unlock the lock when valid account credentials are detected. The self-checkout apparatus is also configured to allocate the product to a user account by updating the database when the product passes through the opening.

Abstract: A self-checkout system includes a cabinet having a doorway and a vending space. The system includes a secure door enclosing the vending space. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to a product. The system includes an RFID reader adjacent the door and configured to read product data from the RFID tag and detect if the product passed through the doorway. The system includes a database configured to store an inventory of products. The system includes a self-checkout apparatus connected to the database. The self-checkout apparatus unlocks the lock when valid account credentials are detected. The self-checkout updates a checkout list to include a product passing from the vending space through the doorway. The self-checkout apparatus presents a confirmation display of the checkout list and allocates all products in the checkout list to the account associated with the account credentials upon receiving a confirmation indication.

Abstract: A self-checkout system includes a cabinet having a doorway and a vending space. The system includes a secure door enclosing the vending space. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to a product. The system includes an RFID reader adjacent the door and configured to read product data from the RFID tag and detect if the product passed through the doorway. The system includes a database configured to store an inventory of products. The system includes a self-checkout apparatus connected to the database. The self-checkout apparatus unlocks the lock when valid account credentials are detected. The self-checkout updates a checkout list to include a product passing from the vending space through the doorway. The self-checkout apparatus presents a confirmation display of the checkout list and allocates all products in the checkout list to the account associated with the account credentials upon receiving a confirmation indication.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase or allocate to an account a product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The patron exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, a computer monitor and/or a mobile device enables the patron to complete a purchase or allocate transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for marking products stolen when transferred through the portal without a transaction. Alternatively, a smart shelf keeps track of products on the smart shelf and keeps a checkout tally of removed products. If the patron does not complete a purchase or allocate transaction, or returns the product to the smart shelf within a user-defined set of time, the smart shelf will mark the product as stolen. A security system responds to products marked as stolen.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-checkout system that selectively activates an alarm when an item is determined to be stolen, engages the user regarding the purchase of the item, and informs the user of the purchase status of the item. When an item is determined to be stolen, and a number of occurrences of the item in the database indicating it is stolen is greater than a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time, a theft detection module does not transmit a security signal to activate an alarm. The invention can also include a touch-screen display including a first portion dedicated to displaying POS transactions and online shopping and a second portion dedicated to displaying interactive digital media related to the item. Furthermore, the invention can include indicators on the touch screen display to indicate the status of an item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-checkout system that selectively activates an alarm when an item is determined to be stolen, engages the user regarding the purchase of the item, and informs the user of the purchase status of the item. When an item is determined to be stolen, and a number of occurrences of the item in the database indicating it is stolen is greater than a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time, a theft detection module does not transmit a security signal to activate an alarm. The invention can also include a touch-screen display including a first portion dedicated to displaying POS transactions and online shopping and a second portion dedicated to displaying interactive digital media related to the item. Furthermore, the invention can include indicators on the touch screen display to indicate the status of an item.

Abstract: A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-checkout kiosk that utilizes RFID tags and a distance and direction RFID reader to detect sales merchandise. The kiosk includes POS software, which automatically detects items selected by a patron that have previously been received into inventory and tagged, which facilitates the completion of the sale by detecting the distance and direction of the RFID tag. The kiosk incorporates a communication system and means for the patron to communicate with a store employee located distant from the kiosk. The POS software utilizes multiple payment methods and has the capability to display advertisements based on product being detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for storing control information associated with RFID tags that allows entities that do not share common tracking systems to access relevant information to determine the status and location of tagged items. The tracking system may include a drop box having a housing for receiving a package with an RFID tag, a RFID reader positioned within the housing for scanning the RFID tag to obtain control information and transmitting package received information, and a RFID processing module for receiving the package received information from the RFID reader and scheduling a pick up of the package using the package received information.

Abstract: The manufacturer and use of an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an improved foam substrate that is fire-resistant that utilizes an adhesive that allows the use of the tag in hot and cold environments without regard to the dielectric constant of the surface of the product that the tag is affixed. The sensitivity of the tag is sufficiently maintained to allow the trimming of the antenna when it is desirable to reduce the size of the affixed RFID tag.