Abstract:
A transaction station with an enhanced user interface. The transaction station includes a housing, a plurality of peripherals in the housing, a touch screen extending substantially across the housing including a display for displaying information and a touch overlay for recording operator selections, and a processor for executing transaction software, wherein the transaction software causes the display to display the information and receives the operator selections from the touch overlay during a transaction.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Current kiosks and self-service systems generally use some form of flat-panel display with a touch screen overlay. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are the current technology of choice due to their size, cost, and other factors. This single panel provides the majority of the user interface. Additional user interface elements are sometimes provided on adjacent devices such as credit card readers and PIN pads. 
         [0002]    Display technology is advancing rapidly in the area of flexible bi-stable displays. These products are capable of high-quality images on flexible materials or substrates, and generally will “remember” the most recent image when power is removed for months or even years. 
         [0003]    It would be desirable to provide a transaction station with an enhanced user interface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A transaction station with an enhanced user interface is provided. 
         [0005]    An example transaction station includes a housing, a plurality of peripherals in the housing, a touch screen extending substantially across the housing including a display for displaying information and a touch overlay for recording operator selections, and a processor for executing transaction software, wherein the transaction software causes the display to display the information and receives the operator selections from the touch overlay during a transaction. 
         [0006]    Example types of displays may include bistable, cholosteric, liquid crystal, and organic LED (OLED) displays. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example transaction station. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first example embodiment of the transaction station. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3   a - j  illustrate a first example sequence of displayed information by the first example embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4   a - j  illustrate a second example embodiment with a second example sequence of displayed information. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , transaction station  10  includes processor  12 , memory  14 , touch screen  16 , and a number of transaction peripherals  18  arranged in one or more cabinets or housings. 
         [0012]    Processor  12  executes transaction software  30 . Transaction software  30  displays transaction options and instructions, records operator inputs, and controls operation of transaction peripherals  18 . 
         [0013]    Memory  14  stores transaction software  30  and data used by transaction software  30 . 
         [0014]    Touch screen  16  includes a display  20  and a touch sensitive overlay  22 . Display  20  may include a bi-stable display, cholosteric display, liquid crystal display, organic LED (OLED) display, or any other type of display capable of use with touch overlay  22 . 
         [0015]    Displayed information may include text, graphics, or a combination thereof. For example, the information may include arrows or other graphic symbols for directing operators to use peripherals. 
         [0016]    Touch screen  16  may display many different types of information. For example, touch screen  16  may display active transaction instructions and options, information and instructions related to the transaction such as running balance, coupon and loyalty information (reminder to scan loyalty card), and completely unrelated information such as ads for other products and services, including products and services in the same store (e.g., pharmacy, photo lab, and deli). 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, display  20  may display messages in a plurality of colors. 
         [0018]    Transaction station  10  may include a self-service or assisted-service transaction station in various forms, such as a kiosk, a terminal, an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale checkout station, or a self-service checkout station. Consequently, transaction peripherals  18  include whatever peripherals are necessary considering the purpose of transaction station  10 . 
         [0019]    An example kiosk may include a card reader and a printer. An example automated teller machine may include a currency receptacle and dispenser, a card reader, a personal identification number (PIN) keypad, and a printer. An example point-of-sale checkout station may include a code reader, such as a barcode or radio frequency identification label tag reader, a scale, a card reader, a PIN keypad, a coin dispenser, an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag deactivator, a cash drawer, and a printer. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example embodiment of transaction station  10 . In this example, transaction station  10  is a self-service checkout station  32 . Self-service checkout station  32  may be one of a group of self-service transaction stations  32 . An attendant station may monitor the group of self-service transaction stations  32 . 
         [0021]    Self-service checkout station  32  includes housing sections  34 - 38  which support mounting of touch screen  16  and peripherals  18 . 
         [0022]    Self-service checkout station  32  includes a dual-aperture barcode scanner with scale  40 , a card reader  42 , a cash (currency and/or coin) dispenser/acceptor  44 , a receipt printer  46 , one or more security scales  48 , and a light post  50  with signaling light  52 . 
         [0023]    Self-service checkout station  32  may be configured with more or fewer peripherals  18 . For example, self-service checkout station  32  may include a radio frequency identification tag reader, a signature capture pad, check reader, or other peripheral as dictated by the retailer where self-service checkout station  32  is located. 
         [0024]    Touch screen  16  is mounted to housing section  38 , in a position above scanner  40 , card reader  42 , cash dispenser/acceptor  44 , and receipt printer  46 . Touch screen  16  spans substantially the entire width of housing section  38 . 
         [0025]    Touch screen  16  displays instructions and prompts in an active portion  24 . Active portion  24  includes information involved in completing a transaction. Active portion  24  may vary in size and gradually shift horizontally as the transaction progresses, so that the displayed information is positioned roughly adjacent to and above the related peripherals. 
         [0026]    In a remaining passive portion  26 , touch screen  16  displays advertisements, information about products, promotions, eye-catching graphics inviting shoppers to use the system (commonly called “attract screens),” or possibly nothing. Passive portion  26  includes information that is not necessarily involved in completing a transaction. However, passive portion  26  may display information related to products involved in a transaction. Passive portion  26  may include touch sensitive areas that a customer may select if the customer wishes further information. 
         [0027]    Card reader  42 , cash dispenser/acceptor  44 , and receipt printer  46  are also located within housing section  38 . Barcode scanner  40  is mounted within housing section  34 . Security scale  48  is mounted within section  36  under bag racks  54 . 
         [0028]    When a customer approaches self-service checkout station  32 , touch screen  16  may display an initial message, such as “Checkout faster here”, alternating with “Touch screen to begin”. Active portion  24  may be centered. One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0029]    As a customer proceeds through a transaction, transaction software  30  causes touch screen  16  to display transaction related information and prompts, and records selections necessary to complete the transaction. 
         [0030]    For example, following each step in a transaction requiring a customer to act, transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display a message, graphic, or other prompt requesting a selection from the customer or directing the customer to an appropriate peripheral  18 . 
         [0031]    Transaction software  30  may also generate voice messages supporting or echoing messages or prompts displayed by touch screen  16  through one or more speakers  56 . 
         [0032]    An example sequence of displayed messages that follows a transaction flow is illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a - j.    
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3   a , transaction software  30  displays a message requesting the customer to select a language preference, for example, English or Spanish, “Please select: English or Spanish”, with the words “English” and “Spanish” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. 
         [0034]    Transaction software  30  may additionally display one or more help messages associated with selection areas for requesting help. Selecting “Help” may signal transaction software  30  to display a help message, activate indicator  62 , or activate a help indicator at the attendant station. 
         [0035]    Since the transaction begins with scanner  40 , active portion  24  is located on the left side of touch screen  16  adjacent to the scanner peripheral. One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 3   b , transaction software  30  proceeds as if the language preference were English and displays a message requesting the customer to scan an item, for example, “Please scan an item”, with an arrow pointing to scanner  40 . Active portion  24  remains over scanner  40 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 3   c , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to receiving a good scan signal from scanner  40  requesting the customer to place the item in a bag, for example, “Please place the item in a bag”, with an arrow pointing to bag racks  54 . Active portion  24  may remain over scanner  40  or shift right. Transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display an arrow pointing towards bag racks  54 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0038]    Transaction software  30  may additional process weight information from security scales  48  to verify that the item was placed in the bag and display additional messages if a security check indicates that the item was not placed in the bag or an item was placed in the bag prior to receipt of a good scan signal. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3   d , transaction software  30  displays a message requesting the customer to scan another item or proceed to payment, for example, “Please scan another item or select: Finished”, with the word “Finished” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. Active portion  24  may remain over scanner  40 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . In addition to messages which are not directly related to the transaction (e.g. advertisements for unrelated products), the passive portion of the display could also display a list of scanned items (e.g. “scrolling receipt”), along with a running total of the transaction, and other useful information such as reminders to scan loyalty cards, loyalty account balances, and similar information. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 3   e , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to receiving a “Finished” selection requesting the customer to select a payment method, for example, “Please select a payment method: Cash Credit Debit”, with the words “Cash”, “Credit”, and “Debit” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. Active portion  24  may shift to a location over the payment peripherals. One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 3   f , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to a credit or debit card selection requesting that the customer insert a card, for example, “Please insert card here”. Active portion  24  may remain over the payment peripherals. Transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display an arrow pointing towards card reader  42 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 3   g , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to a cash selection requesting that the customer insert cash, for example, “Please insert cash here”. Active portion  24  may remain over the payment peripherals. Transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display an arrow pointing towards cash dispenser/acceptor  44 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 3   h , transaction software  30  displays a message following receipt of a total cash received signal from cash dispenser/acceptor  44  if change is due, for example, “Please take your change”. Active portion  24  may remain over the payment peripherals. Transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display an arrow pointing towards cash dispenser/acceptor  44 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 3   i , transaction software  30  causes printer  46  to print a receipt after payment is completed and displays a message instructing the customer to take the receipt, for example, “Please take your receipt”. Active portion  24  may shift right to a location over printer  46 . Transaction software  30  may cause touch screen  16  to display an arrow pointing towards printer  46 . One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 3   j , transaction software  30  displays a final message after printing the receipt to indicate an end to the transaction, for example, “Thank you for shopping at Super Mart”. Active portion  24  may shift towards a centered position. One or more passive portions  26  may occupy the rest of touch screen  16 . 
         [0046]    Transaction software  30  may display additional messages and prompts related to any additional transaction steps. 
         [0047]    In accordance with the second example embodiment, touch screen  16  displays single lines of information at a time in still or moving form. For example, touch screen  16  may display a scrolling or blinking line of information. 
         [0048]    As an alternative to a conventional computer display with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, or 15:9, touch screen  16  may have a much higher aspect ratio for displaying single lines of text and/or graphics. Touch screen  16  may span the entire width of housing section  38 . 
         [0049]    A kiosk may have an aspect ratio as low as about 3:1. A shorter version of self-service checkout station  32  may have an aspect ratio of about 6:1. Still longer versions may include aspect ratios higher than 11:1. 
         [0050]    An example sequence of displayed messages that follows a transaction flow is illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a - j.    
         [0051]    In  FIG. 4   a , transaction software  30  displays a message requesting the customer to select a language preference, for example, English or Spanish, “Please select: English or Spanish”, with the words “English” and “Spanish” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. 
         [0052]    Transaction software  30  may additionally display one or more help messages associated with selection areas for requesting help. Selecting “Help” may signal transaction software  30  to display a help message, activate indicator  62 , or activate a help indicator at the attendant station. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 4   b , transaction software  30  proceeds as if the language preference were English and displays a message requesting the customer to scan an item, for example, “Please scan an item”, with an arrow pointing to scanner  40 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 4   c , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to receiving a good scan signal from scanner  40  requesting the customer to place the item in a bag, for example, “Please place the item in a bag”, with an arrow pointing to bag racks  54 . 
         [0055]    Transaction software  30  may additional process weight information from security scales  48  to verify that the item was placed in the bag and display additional messages if a security check indicates that the item was not placed in the bag or an item was placed in the bag prior to receipt of a good scan signal. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 4   d , transaction software  30  displays a message requesting the customer to scan another item or proceed to payment, for example, “Please scan another item or select: Finished”, with the word “Finished” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 4   e , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to receiving a “Finished” selection requesting the customer to select a payment method, for example, “Please select a payment method: Cash Credit Debit”, with the words “Cash”, “Credit”, and “Debit” emphasized in some way to indicate where the customer should touch to complete a selection. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 4   f , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to a credit or debit card selection requesting that the customer insert a card, for example, “Please insert card here”, with an arrow pointing to card reader  42 . 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 4   g , transaction software  30  displays a message in response to a cash selection requesting that the customer insert cash, for example, “Please insert cash here”, with an arrow pointing to cash dispenser/acceptor  44 . 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 4   h , transaction software  30  displays a message following receipt of a total cash received signal from cash dispenser/acceptor  44  if change is due, for example, “Please take your change”, with an arrow pointing to cash dispenser/acceptor  44 . 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 4   i , transaction software  30  causes printer  46  to print a receipt after payment is completed and displays a message instructing the customer to take the receipt, for example, “Please take your receipt”, with an arrow pointing to printer  46 . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 4   j , transaction software  30  displays a final message after printing the receipt to indicate an end to the transaction, for example, “Thank you for shopping at Super Mart”. 
         [0063]    Transaction software  30  may display additional messages and prompts related to any additional transaction steps. 
         [0064]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.