Abstract:
A method of identifying items for checkout that improves checkout speed. The method includes obtaining first item identification information from RFID labels on grouped first items, obtaining second item identification information from bar code labels on ungrouped second items, determining prices of the first and second items from the first and second item identification information, and processing payment for the first and second items.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to checkout methods and more specifically to a method of identifying items for checkout. 
   Retailers are concerned with checkout speed. One factor that affects checkout speed is product labeling. Items with radio frequency identification (RFID) labels may be identified as a group. Items with bar code labels must be handled individually. 
   Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method of identifying items for checkout that improves checkout speed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method of identifying items for checkout is provided. 
   The method includes obtaining first item identification information from RFID labels on grouped first items, obtaining second item identification information from bar code labels on ungrouped second items, determining prices of the first and second items from the first and second item identification information, and processing payment for the first and second items. 
   It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method of identifying items for checkout. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of identifying items for checkout that improves checkout speed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a transaction system; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the transaction system; and 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating operation of transaction software of the transaction system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , transaction system  10  includes transaction terminal  12 . 
   Transaction terminal  12  executes transaction software  20 , which identifies items to be purchased, obtains prices of the items, and processes payment for the items. Transaction terminal  12  may include a self-service or assisted service checkout terminal. 
   Transaction terminal  12  may include a number of peripherals for completing transactions, including input device  22 , display  24 , radio frequency identification (RFID) label reader  26 , bar code reader  28 , scale  30 , and payment unit  32 . 
   Input device  22  records operator selections. 
   Display  24  displays information generated by transaction software  20  necessary to operate terminal  12 . Display  24  and input device  22  may be combined as a touch screen. 
   RFID label reader  26  reads RFID labels  42  on items  40  to obtain item identification information. 
   RFID labels  42  may be visible or hidden when attached to items  40 . RFID labels  42  may be active or passive RFID labels. RFID label reader  26  may either obtain item and container identification information directly from RFID labels  42 , or from the associated databases. In the latter case, RFID label reader  26  obtains a unique signature from RFID labels  42 , which transaction software  20  compares to a table of item identifications to identify items  40 . The table of item identifications may be part of a price look-up database or be a separate database. 
   Bar code reader  28  reads bar code labels  46  on items  44  to obtain item identification information. Items  40  may also include bar code labels  46 . 
   In either case, transaction software  20  obtains price information associated with the identification information from a price database. 
   Scale  30  determines weight information of items  40 ,  44 , or both, and may also act as a produce scale. In self-checkout systems, transaction software may provide security against theft by comparing the weight information obtained from items  40  and  44  with reference weight information associated with items  40  and  44 . 
   Payment unit  32  accepts payment for items  40  and  44 . Payment unit  32  may include a card reader, cash acceptor, cash dispenser, or a combination thereof. 
   Under one embodiment of the present invention ( FIG. 1 ), items  40  are grouped into container  50  before checkout at terminal  12 . Customers may sort and group items  40  as they shop. Items  40 ,  44 , or both may be marked with visual indicia to aid in sorting. Alternately, customers may use RFID label detector  48  to indicate the presence or lack of RFID labels  42  as items  40  and  44  are sorted. 
   Examples of container  50  include a shopping cart, grocery bag, or box. 
   RFID label reader  26  reads all RFID labels  42  while items  40  remain in container  50 . Transaction software  20  displays an indication to the operator whether all items  40  were processed and whether any were missed that would require reading by bar code reader  28 . Some of items  40  may fail to be processed due to failed or poorly readable RFID labels  42 . If so, an operator may empty the bag, determine the item  40  that could not be identified, and read a bar code label on the previously unidentified item. 
   Items  44  are not placed in containers, or items  44  are removed from any such containers to be identified by bar code reader  28 . Bar code reader  28  reads bar code labels  46  on items  44  as they are individually handled to obtain item identification information. 
   Under this embodiment, items  40  may remain in container  50  during processing by terminal  12 . 
   Under another embodiment of the present invention ( FIG. 2 ), items  40  and  44  are placed on a conveyor and sorted. Items  40  are placed on one area of conveyor  52  and items  44  are placed on a different area of conveyor  52 . Alternately, conveyor  52  may include sorting mechanism  56  for automatically diverting items  44 , as well as any items  40  that have damaged or inoperable RFID tags, to an area for hand scanning based upon a lack of received identification information from RFID label reader  26 . Conveyor  52  may be Y-shaped. 
   RFID reader  26 , or an RFID label detector  54 , may be used to separate items  40  from items  44 . Items  40 ,  44 , or both may be marked with visual indicia to aid in sorting. RFID label detector  54  may be controlled by transaction software  20 . 
   RFID label reader  26  reads all RFID labels  42  as a group, without requiring separate handling, after items  40  have been separated from items  44 . Transaction software  20  displays an indication to the operator whether all items  40  have been processed and whether any were missed that would require reading by bar code reader  28 . 
   Bar code reader  28  reads bar code labels  46  on items  44  as they are individually handled to obtain item identification information. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , operation of transaction software  20  is illustrated in detail, starting with Start  60 . 
   In step  62 , transaction software  20  activates RFID reader  26 . 
   In step  64 , transaction software  20  obtains item identification information from RFID labels  42  on items  40  as a group. Items  40  are preferably located together and separated from items  44  for this purpose. Items  40  may be located in container  50 . 
   In step  66 , transaction software  20  may optionally obtain weight information for items  40  from scale  30 . Transaction software  20  may then compare the scale weight to a sum of individual reference weights for items  40  for security. 
   In step  68 , transaction software  20  displays an indication to the operator that all items  40  have been identified. If one or more items  40  were not identified, the operator may use bar code reader  28  to read a bar code label on the items  40 . An operator may then move items  40  to a bagging area. 
   In step  70 , transaction software  20  obtains item identification information from bar code labels  46  on items  44 . An operator must individually handle items  44  in order to use bar code reader  28  to identify items  44 . After each item  44  is read by bar code reader  28 , an operator may move each item  44  to a bagging area. 
   In step  72 , transaction software  20  tallies prices for items  40  and items  44 . 
   In step  74 , transaction software  20  processes payment for items  40  and  44 . The customer may then gather items  40  and  44 . If items  40  are already in container  50 , the customer need only bag items  44 . 
   In step  76 , operation ends. 
   Advantageously, sorting items  40  and  44  prior to checkout speeds checkout since items  40  may be processed as a group, rather than individually. 
   Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.