Abstract:
A personalized security method for a self-service checkout system which sets security based on risk. The security method includes the steps of obtaining identification information of a customer involved in a transaction, determining a risk level associated with the identification information of the customer, determining a security level associated with the risk level, and configuring the self-service checkout system for the security level.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to transaction processing systems in supermarkets and other retail establishments, and more specifically to a personalized security method for a self-service checkout system.  
         [0002]     Self-service checkout systems treat all customers the same. All customers are bound to one set of security rules. A single strict set of rules thoroughly scrutinizes even the most honest of customers, causing a slow down in the operation of the self-service checkout system.  
         [0003]     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a security method which considers individual differences to set security rules.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with the present invention, a personalized security method for a self-service checkout system is provided.  
         [0005]     The security method includes the steps of obtaining identification information of a customer involved in a transaction, determining a risk level associated with the identification information of the customer, determining a security level associated with the risk level, and configuring the self-service checkout system for the security level.  
         [0006]     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a personalized security method for a self-service checkout system.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide different security levels for different customers.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to reduce checkout time for low risk customers by reducing security. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     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 the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a transaction system; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the security method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , transaction system  10  includes self-service computer system  12 , server  14 , and attendant system  16 .  
         [0013]     Self-service computer system  12  includes processor  20 , which executes self-service transaction application  22 . Self-service transaction application  22  displays instructions directed to completing a self-service transaction on display  36 . Self-service transaction application  22  also receives customer selections through input device  34 .  
         [0014]     Display  36  may include a liquid crystal display. Input device  34  may include a keyboard or touch panel. Display  36  and input device  34  may be combined into a touch screen.  
         [0015]     Self-service transaction application  22  processes items for sale. Self-service transaction application  22  obtains item identification information from barcode reader  28 . Self-service transaction application  22  obtains weight information of produce items from scale  30 . Finally, self-service transaction application  22  obtains price information from price look-up (PLU) file  54  or other price database.  
         [0016]     Processor  20  also executes security application  24 . security application  24  controls security at self-service computer system  12 .  
         [0017]     For example, security application  24  controls the number and complexity of weight checks using security scales  46 . Weights of items can be stored in PLU file  54 , or an independent weight database in self-service computer system  12  or server  14 .  
         [0018]     As another example, security application  24  may control processing of images captured by camera  44 . Such images reveal hand positions and motions during scanning and bagging. Other security measures may include recognising the packaging of the item by colour or other visual characteristics, like size—height, width, length.  
         [0019]     Security application  24  obtains customer identification information from customers using card reader  40 , biometric identification device  42 , or camera  44 , barcode reader  28 , or from keyed in data via the input device  34  or personal identification number (PIN) pad  38 .  
         [0020]     A customer may swipe a loyalty card or other type of identification card through card reader  42 . Card reader  42  obtains customer identification information from the loyalty card and passes it to security application  24 .  
         [0021]     Alternatively, a customer may provide a fingerprint, iris image, face image, or other biometric data to biometric identification device  42 . Security application  24  looks up the biometric information in a customer biometric database  48  to identify the customer.  
         [0022]     A customer may scan a barcode label containing customer identification information. Security application  24  obtains the customer identification from barcode reader  28 .  
         [0023]     Finally, customers may be asked to key in their customer identification information. Security application  24  obtains the customer identification from input device  34  or PIN pad  38 .  
         [0024]     Security application  24  maintains customer security database  50  which contains shopping histories and risk levels for customers. Shopping history data may include data such as customer age, average cart size, number of uses of self-service checkout system  12 , average number of attendant interventions at self-service checkout system  12 , payment history, restricted item purchases, frequent shopper standing, and many other details.  
         [0025]     The risk associated with each customer is individually determined and dynamically maintained after each transaction. Risk levels are assigned based upon the shopping history data for each customer, including shopping history data from a current transaction.  
         [0026]     Customers are categorised by risk level. Risk levels may be determined by categorising customers based upon a comparison of their customer shopping history data with the defined categories of shoppers. Once categorised, customers are assigned the risk levels of the categories they are in.  
         [0027]     Each risk level has a corresponding security level. A mapping of risk levels to security levels is contained in security level data file  52 , which may include a lookup table.  
         [0028]     Security levels dictate what security measures must be taken. Lower security levels require fewer security measures or less rigorous security measures, while higher security levels require more security measures or more rigorous security measures.  
         [0029]     During each transaction, security application  24  uses the customer identification information to look up the customer&#39;s risk level in customer security database  50 . Security application  24  uses the customer&#39;s risk level to find a corresponding security level in security level data file  52 . Security application  24  then configures self-service checkout system  12  for the determined security level.  
         [0030]     For example, suppose a customer has been categorised as risk level three on a scale of one to ten. Suppose this customer would be allowed a wider variance in terms of item identification. This would result in fewer times the customer would be stopped for cashier approval. Age restricted items may be approved once by the cashier at the end of a transaction, so as not to interfere with the rest of the item sales. This level three customer may also have all credit card transactions under $100 (a configurable amount) automatically or locally approved.  
         [0031]     As another example, suppose a customer has been categorised as risk level eight on a scale of one to ten. This customer may have very strict rules applied for item identification resulting in more cashier interventions. An age-restricted item for this customer may immediately halt the transaction and require approval before any more items are sold. When using credit cards, a cashier may be required for signature verification.  
         [0032]     Server  14  stores customer security data  48 , security level data file  52 , and PLU file  54 . These files may also be stored locally in self-service checkout system  12 .  
         [0033]     Attendant station  16  is operated by an attendant who assists customers and watches for security violations. In a typical store, there is one attendant station  16  for every four self-service checkout systems  12 .  
         [0034]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , operation of security application  24  is illustrated in more detail beginning with start  60 .  
         [0035]     In step  62 , security application  24  waits for a customer. If a customer begins use of self-service transaction application  22  through input device  34 , operation proceeds to step  64 .  
         [0036]     In step  64 , security application  24  obtains customer identification information. If the customer uses a loyalty card or other identification card, security application  24  obtains the identification information from card reader  40 . If the customer provides biometric data, security application  24  obtains the identification information from biometric identification device  42  and customer biometric database  48 . If the customer uses a barcode label, security application  24  obtains the identification information from barcode reader  28 . Finally, if the customer keys in the identification information, security application  24  obtains the identification information from input device  34  or PIN pad  38 .  
         [0037]     In step  66 , security application  24  uses the customer identification information to look up the customer&#39;s risk level in customer security database  50 .  
         [0038]     In step  68 , security application  24  uses the customer&#39;s risk level to determine a corresponding security level in security level data file  52 .  
         [0039]     In step  70 , security application  24  configures self-service checkout system  12  for the determined security level.  
         [0040]     In step  72 , security application  24  implements configured security procedures, until the customer finishes the transaction.  
         [0041]     In step  74 , security application  24  stores security data from the transaction in customer security database  50 .  
         [0042]     Operation returns to step  62  to wait for another customer.  
         [0043]     Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.