초록 ▼

A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices

A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices for instructing actions by the customer, devices for preventing pilferage, fraud and inadvertent errors and an integral bag forming apparatus for manufacturing custom-formed bags on-site at the counter and on demand and, preferably, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles to be packed in the bags. A customer individually scans articles to be purchased and the scanned data is verified through comparison with stored product identifying information. Following verification of each article, customer placement of the article into the bag forming apparatus in enabled and a bag preferably conforming to the volume of articles purchased in manufactured within the check-out counter. When filled, the bag is automatically sealed and discharged from the check-out counter for subsequent removal by the customer. Customers completing the scanning and packing of purchased articles proceed to a central cashier to pay for their purchases.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for permitting a customer to check out one or more purchased articles self-service, comprising: means for identifying each of said articles and for determining a characteristic of said identified article; means for forming bags on demand for containing said articles in a bag formed by said

Apparatus for permitting a customer to check out one or more purchased articles self-service, comprising: means for identifying each of said articles and for determining a characteristic of said identified article; means for forming bags on demand for containing said articles in a bag formed by said apparatus; means for determining said characteristic of the actually article after said article has been identified by said article identifying means and before said bag for said article has been completed and removed from said bag forming means; and means for comparing said characteristic of said article as identified by said article identifying means with the characteristic of the actual article to confirm the identity of the article baged by a bag formed by said bag forming apparatus, whereby to prevent both deliberate fraud and inadvertent mistake in the self-service checkout of said one or more articles.