Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an automatic checkout system. The system includes a gateway having one or more sensors configured to detect when a patron and the item are within a sensing area and when the patron and the item have left the sensing area, and one or more sensors configured to detect a patron identification associated with the patron and an item identification associated with the item when the patron and the item are within the sensing area. The system also includes an inventory management unit connected to the gateway. The inventory management unit is configured to identify the patron based on the patron identification, identify the item based on the item identification, and update a database when the patron and the item have left the sensing area to indicate that the patron has checked out the item.

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: The present invention relates to a percussive down-the-hole hammer, a drill bit and a foot valve. The drill bit includes a body having a front drilling face, a central passage extending from a rear end of the body in a direction towards the drilling face to conduct flushing medium to the drilling face. The rear end includes an impact surface surrounding the passage. The central passage is adapted to receive a foot valve to transfer pressurized air through the drill bit. The foot valve and the central passage include insertion stop means and major extraction stop means for the foot valve. The insertion stop means are provided at a distance from the major extraction stop means.

Abstract: A down-the-hole hammer includes a piston movably disposed in a casing and a percussion bit at an end of the casing. The percussion bit includes an integral bit and shank and a pilot removably fastened at a forward end of the bit. A method of enlarging a preexisting hole is also provided.