Patent ID: 6598790
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G07G,G08B

Abstract:
A system for self-service checkout of merchandise bearing a product tag including a desensitizable security tag by a customer at a retail store, the system comprising:a housing substantially closed to the environment, the housing defining a slot opening to an internal bay dimensioned for receiving the product tag, the housing being configured for shielding a desensitizing effect from any security tags outside the housing; a price scanner positioned within the housing for reading price information encoded on a product tag of an item while the product tag is positioned in the bay, the price scanner being capable of transmitting the price information; a payment card reader for reading account information stored on a payment card, the payment card reader being capable of transmitting the account information; a payment unit for receiving the price information from the price scanner, for communicating with an electronic payment network to seek approval of a charge to the payment card, and for transmitting an activation signal upon receipt of approval of the charge; and a selectively activatable desensitizer for desensitizing a security tag of a product tag while the product tag is positioned within the bay of the housing, the desensitizer being activated upon receipt of the activation signal transmitted from the payment unit; whereby product tags inserted into the bay of the housing are scannable for price and the desensitizer's desensitizing effect is limited to a corresponding security tag of the product tag scanned for price.