US5752582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-service checkout system
Assignee: SAP SE
•
Filing: 1996-02-09
•
Granted: 1998-05-19
•
Expires: 2016-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An automated checkout station is provided which allows a single cashier to monitor and assist multiple customers simultaneously without the requirement for a video surveillance system. The automated checkout station includes all of the features necessary for a customer to complete a transaction, such as a scanner, a bagging assembly, a customer display, a printer and an electronic payment system. However, the height of the station and the layout of plural stations allows a single cashier to easily interact with customers.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan W. Hayward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:50
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/046; A47F9/047; A47F9/048; G; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A checkout system comprising: at least three automated checkout stations, each checkout station having a customer side and a cashier side and each checkout station including a scanner, a bagging assembly, a customer display, a printer and an electronic payment system; wherein the at least three checkout stations are arranged in generally adjacent relationship with the customer side of each station facing outwardly thereby defining a central space for a cashier so that a single cashier is capable of monitoring and assisting transactions at each of the at least three checkout stations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A checkout system comprising: at least three automated checkout stations, each checkout station having a customer side and a cashier side and each checkout station including a scanner, a bagging assembly, a customer display, a printer and an electronic payment system; wherein the at least three checkout stations are arranged in generally adjacent relationship with the customer side of each station facing outwardly thereby defining a central space for a cashier so that a single cashier is capable of monitoring and assisting transactions at each of the at least three checkout stations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the automated checkout stations further comprises a scale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 2 wherein the scale and the bagging assembly of each of the automated checkout stations are combined such that the scale weighs the contents of a bag located thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as recited in claim 3 wherein the bagging assembly of each of the automated checkout stations includes means for simultaneously holding in an open position and weighing the contents of two or more bags.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the automated checkout stations each further comprise a cashier video display screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the printer comprises a receipt printer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 6 wherein the printer further comprises a check imprinter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the electronic payment system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and integrated circuit cards.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 1 the automated checkout stations each include a bill and change dispenser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the automated checkout stations each further comprise a keyboard for facilitating a transaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 10 further comprising a switch located on the cashier side of the checkout station for enabling the keyboard, whereby the switch prevents a customer from operating the keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 1 the automated checkout stations each further comprise a cash drawer for storing money and coupons.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the cash drawer is located on the cashier side of the automated checkout station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the automated checkout stations has a height of less than four feet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system as recited in claim 1 comprising four automated checkout stations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
A checkout system comprising: at least three automated checkout stations, each checkout station having a customer side and a cashier side and each checkout station including a scanner, a bagging assembly, a customer display, a printer and an electronic payment system; wherein the at least three checkout stations are arranged in generally adjacent relationship with the customer side of each station facing outwardly such that the checkout stations define a central space for a cashier, whereby the cashier is generally surrounded by the checkout stations so that the cashier is capable of monitoring and assisting transactions at each of the at least three stations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A checkout system comprising: at least three automated checkout stations, each checkout station having a customer side and a cashier side and each checkout station including a scanner, a bagging assembly, a customer display, a printer and an electronic payment system; wherein the at least three checkout stations are arranged in generally adjacent relationship with the customer side of each station facing outwardly such that the checkout stations define a central space for a cashier, whereby the cashier is generally surrounded by the checkout stations so that the cashier is capable of monitoring and assisting transactions at each of the at least three stations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 16 wherein each of the automated checkout stations has a height of less than four feet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 17 wherein each of the automated checkout stations further comprises a scale.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the scale and the bagging assembly of each of the automated checkout stations are combined such that the scale weighs the contents of a bag located thereon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 19 wherein the electronic payment system of each of the automated checkout stations accepts credit cards, debit cards and integrated circuit cards and prints a customer transaction receipt.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as recited in claim 20 wherein the automated checkout stations each further comprise a keyboard for facilitating a transaction and a switch located on the cashier side of the checkout station for enabling the keyboard, whereby the switch prevents a customer from operating the keyboard.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |