Abstract:
A method, system and computer program product for detecting false purchases is disclosed. The method includes detecting a motion across a product identifier in a self-service terminal and monitoring for a product identifier. In response to failing to detect the product identifier, an alert signal is transmitted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates in general to the field of computers, and in particular to personal shopping devices. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for preventing theft by signaling the status of a transaction on a personal shopping device.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Shoplifting, while a perennial issue that currently costs American retailers $26 billion a year, is an area where retailers fear that the acquisition and deployment of personal shopping devices will lead to further complications and loopholes in security. Simply stated, many retailers fear that the adoption of personal shopping devices will lead to additional opportunity for theft and fraud, because fewer employees will be in contact with a purchase transaction and employee contact will be reduced to a smaller portion of the time during the transaction.  
         [0005]     Prior art solutions to combat fraud become less appropriate in an personal shopping device-enabled environment. For high-cost items, the solution of having the store clerk remove a transmitter tag after purchase, makes little sense in an environment where machines are designed to remove a clerk from the purchase transaction. Similarly, the traditional solution of visually monitoring for theft by checking the contents of a shopping cart against a receipt is manpower intensive. Additionally, it interferes with the intended purpose of personal shopping devices: allowing the consumer a friendly and quick shopping experience; ideally one in which they never need to have their purchases checked by store personnel. Further assignment of personnel to monitor purchases on the personal shopping device as a solution to shoplifting suffers from the poor visibility (at a distance) of transaction status in prior-art personal shopping devices.  
         [0006]     Prior art solutions do not include adequate measures for deterring attempts at false purchases, fraud, and theft in the use of personal shopping devices. As the number of persons interacting with the transaction is reduced in the prior art, prior art solutions increase the opportunity for theft, frauds and false purchase attempts. What is needed is a method to detect false purchases by both honest and dishonest consumers using a personal shopping device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A method, system and computer program product for detecting false purchases is disclosed. The method includes detecting a motion across a product identifier in a self-service terminal and monitoring for a product identifier. In response to failing to detect the product identifier, an alert signal is transmitted.  
         [0008]     The above, as well as additional purposes, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary computer system in which the present invention can be implemented, either as a wireless device for receiving a marketing message, a transmitter/receiver for communicating with the wireless device, and/or as a server that exchanges data with the wireless device via the transmitter/receiver;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict an exemplary environment in which the wireless device is mounted to a shopping cart in a store;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface that tracks items that have been previously selected by a shopper;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) on the wireless device offering a price check to the shopper with an opportunity to purchase an item;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment of the present invention for providing appropriate alerts to detect and deter theft;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment of the present invention to use notices to detect false purchases;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates possible interactions of security personnel and other persons using the preferred embodiment with signals produced by the preferred embodiment; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts interaction of customers, security personnel and other persons using the preferred embodiment with signals produced by the preferred embodiment to prevent theft.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system  100  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  102 , which is connected to a system bus  108 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , data processing system  100  includes a graphics adapter  104 , also connected to system bus  108 , for providing user interface information to a display system  106 . Display system  106  may include multiple display units. Display units will, in various embodiments, include systems for transmitting light, such as a liquid crystal display or light-emitting diode bar, and may include a speaker for emitting audible signals.  
         [0019]     Also connected to system bus  108  are a system memory  110  and an input/output (I/O) bus bridge  112 . I/O bus bridge  112  couples an I/O bus  114  to system bus  108 , relaying and/or transforming data transactions from one bus to the other. Peripheral devices such as nonvolatile storage  116 , which may be a hard disk drive, and input device  118 , which may include a conventional mouse, a trackball, or the like, as well as a bar code or similar reader or a card reader or other similar device, is connected to I/O bus  114 .  
         [0020]     Data processing system  100  also includes a wireless interface  120 . Wireless interface  120  is an interface that permits data processing system  100  to wirelessly communicate, preferably via a radio carrier signal, with another data processing system, such as a short-range transmitter/receiver system  122 , which also communicates with a server  124 .  
         [0021]     Short-range transmitter/receiver  122  may also include an IDentification Signal Receiver (IDSR)  126 . IDSR  126  is a logic (hardware and/or software) that receives and processes an identification signal from a wireless computer such as a Personal Shopping Device (PSD).  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment, the features shown for data processing system  100  are used by the PSD, while the short-range transmitter/receiver  122  uses all features shown for data processing system  100  except for the graphics adapter  104  and display  106 , and the server  124  has all features shown for data processing system  100  except for the short-range wireless interface, since server  124  and short-range transmitter/receiver  122  preferably are able to communicate across long distances.  
         [0023]     The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is provided solely for the purposes of explaining the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations are possible, both in form and function. For instance, data processing system  100  might also include a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, a sound card and audio speakers, and numerous other optional components. All such variations are believed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , an exemplary use of data processing system  100  is shown. Data processing system  100  is depicted as a Personal Shopping Device (PSD)  202 , which is attached to a shopping cart  204 , preferably in a manner that is semi-fixed (i.e., requiring tools to remove PSD  202  from shopping cart  204 , in order to prevent the theft of PSD  202 ). As seen in the top view of  FIG. 2B , PSD  202  has an active viewing screen  206 , which displays a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for displaying data, as well as for receiving inputs (preferably via a touch-screen capability) into PSD  202 .  
         [0025]     An exemplary use of PSD  202  may be in a retail establishment. Prior to placing an item into their shopping cart  204  as a purchase, a shopper reports the product to the PSD  202  using a bar code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210 , which reads a Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code (or another product identifier) from the product selected by the shopper and records the product in PSD  202 . The shopper then places the item into their shopping cart  204 . In addition to bar code, magnetic cards, and smartcards, some embodiments of bar code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210  may be configured to read other forms of non-volatile memory devices, such as compact flash, memory keys, or memory sticks. The PSD  202  stores all items that have been scanned and placed in the shopping cart  204  into a list. In the preferred embodiment, each product identification reader also has the capability to detect that it is in range of a product. For example a barcode scanner may be able to detect that a product is being placed in range of its scanner head. A magnetic card reader will be able to detect that a motion took place at close range. The benefit of this capability will be made clear. When the customer checks out, the checker simply downloads the list (with prices) to conclude a shopping transaction. Display system  106  includes both viewing screen  206  and a secondary display unit  208 , which may include a light emitting diode bar for emitting signal lights and a speaker system for emitting audible signals. Viewing screen  206  can also serve as input device  118  by serving as a touch screen.  
         [0026]     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary graphical user interface that tracks items that have been previously selected by a shopper is depicted.  FIG. 3  illustrates an all items inventory view  300  of items purchased by a user of the personal shopping device  202 . All items inventory view  300  includes, for each of several items, a selected item column  302 , which lists the item under consideration. Category and subcategory column  304  lists the type of item for each item. Cost column  306  provides a price for the selected item, including any applicable loyalty discounts or coupons. Remove column  310  provides remove buttons  312  for canceling transactions.  
         [0027]     All items inventory view  300  additionally includes a totals line  318  with a total for cost column  308 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary Graphical User Interface (GUI) on the wireless device offering a price check to the shopper with an opportunity to purchase an item is illustrated. The depicted graphical user interface includes a price view  400 , which would be activated by scanning an item&#39;s UPC signal or radio tag with bar code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210 . Price view  400  is a means for providing a user with pricing information and the opportunity to commit to purchase an item.  
         [0029]     Price view  400  includes an address line  402  for identifying a user, an item line  404  for identifying the item subject to price check, a buy button  406  for providing the user with the opportunity to purchase the item, a price box  408  for providing quantitative price data and a skip item button  410 , for declining a transaction. Within price box  408 , several different items of information are listed.  
         [0030]     For the example shown with respect to  FIG. 4 , the item subject to price comparison is a quart of milk. Items that will be listed in price box  408  include an item description  414 , which provides the identity of the listed item. Similarly price column  416  displays a base price of an item. Per unit price column  418  displays a price per unit.  
         [0031]     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment of the present invention for providing appropriate alerts to detect and deter theft is depicted. The process starts at step  500 . The process then moves to step  502 . At step  502 , a customer signs on to a personal shopping device  202 . The process then moves to step  504 , which depicts a customer scanning a discount card or loyalty card through bar code reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  208 . The process next proceeds to step  506 , at which personal shopping device  202  (or peripheral) determines whether motion has been detected in the vicinity of barcode reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210 . If motion has not been detected in the vicinity of barcode reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210 , then the process next proceeds to step  508  which depicts personal shopping device  202  waiting. The process then returns to step  506 .  
         [0032]     At step  506 , if motion is detected in the vicinity of barcode reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210 , then the process next moves to step  510 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  (or peripheral) determining whether a product identifier (e.g. a UPC) has been detected. A product identifier will be detected whenever barcode reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210  reads and identifies a product code from a product. If a product identifier is not detected, the process next moves to step  512 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  waiting and monitoring barcode reader/magnetic card/smartcard reader module  210  for to detect a product identifier. The process then moves to step  514 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  determining whether a timeout has lapsed. If a timeout has lapsed, then the process next proceeds to step  516 , which depicts personal shopping device transmitting an alert signal indicating a failed transaction. That is, a transaction that appeared to be an attempt at a gathering a product identifier, but no product identifier was detected. In a preferred embodiment, an alert signal may selectively include a wireless signal from short-range wireless interface  120  over a radio frequency carrier to short-range transmitter receiver  122  and a combination of an emission a particular pulse and color, such as a single yellow flash of visible light from secondary display unit  208  and an audible signal, such as a dinging bell sound, from secondary display unit  208 . This particular signal is not possible to send unless the hardware supports detection of attempted use. This capability is not required for the remaining signals nor is it required for a useful embodiment.  
         [0033]     The process next proceeds to step  520  in which personal shopping device  202  or server  124  logs suspicious activity and calculates a ratio of suspicious activity to any actual purchases made by the user personal shopping device  202 . The process then returns to step  508 , which is described above.  
         [0034]     Returning to step  514 , if no timeout has lapsed, then the process next returns to step  510 . At step  510 , if a product identifier has been detected, then the process proceeds to step  522 . Step  522  depicts personal shopping device  202  recording the detected product identifier in step  510  and sending a product identification signal. A product identification signal will be intended to inform machines or persons observing the product identification signal that an item has been successfully identified by a reader. In a preferred embodiment, a product identification signal will preferably include the transmission of a radio frequency signal from short range wireless interface  120 , to short-range transmitter receiver  122  as well as the illumination of secondary display  208 , examples of which might include a series of two yellow pulses across the secondary display unit  208 . Alternatively, an audible chime could be used as a product identification signal.  
         [0035]     The process then proceeds to step  524 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  determining whether a product is purchased, such as by actuating the buy button  406  in price view  400 , has been correlated to the product identification detected in step  510 . If personal shopping device  202  has successfully correlated a product to purchase to the product identifier detected in  510 , then the process next moves to step  526 . At step  526 , personal shopping device  202  transmits a purchase signal. In a preferred embodiment, a purchase signal includes a radio frequency signal from short-range wireless interface  120  to short-range transmitter receiver  122  as well as a combination of an audible beeping sound and a green illumination of secondary display  208 .  
         [0036]     The process next movess to step  528 . At step  528 , personal shopping device  202  whether check-out is indicated. If check-out is not indicated, then the process returns to step  508 , which is described above. If check-out is indicated, then the process moves to step  530 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  processing check-out. The process then ends at step  532 .  
         [0037]     Returning to step  524 , if personal shopping device has not correlated a product to purchase to the scan product identification recorder in step  522 , then the process next moves to step  534 . At step  534 , personal shopping device waits and monitors the result of price view  400  for a product purchase correlation to the product identification recorded in step  522 . The process next moves to step  536 . At step  536 , personal shopping device determines if a timeout has lapsed. If, at step  536 , a timeout has not lapsed, then the process returns to step  524 , which is described above. If a timeout has lapsed, then the process proceeds to step  538 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  transmitting a price check signal indicating that a product identifier was detected, but was not purchased. A price check signal can take the form of a brief audible alarm and red light transmitted from secondary display unit  208  and can also include transmission of a radio frequency signal of a short range wireless interface  120  to short range transmitter receiver  122 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment of the present invention to use notices to detect false purchases is illustrated. While the process of  FIG. 6  is illustrated with respect to a personal shopping device  202 , the steps of the process can also be performed by server  124  with respect to signals received by server  124  from personal shopping device  202 .  
         [0039]     The process starts at step  600 , which will typically correspond to activation of a security routine. The process then moves to step  602 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  monitoring transmissions that personal shopping device  202  sends from short-range wireless interface  120  for alert signals indicating a failed transaction, purchase signals indicating a purchase, and price check signals indicating that a product identifier was detected but no purchase was made. The process next proceeds to step  604 . At step  604 , personal shopping device  202  sends a price check signal and performs a statistical analysis of alert signals indicating a possible fake wave, purchase signals indicating a purchase, and price check signals indicating that a product identifier was detected but no purchase was made, which it has recently received from the current user.  
         [0040]     The process then moves to step  606 , which depicts personal shopping device  202  determining whether ratio of alert signals indicating a possible fake wave and price check signals indicating that a product identifier was read, but no purchase was made to purchase signals indicating a purchase has exceeded a selectable threshold value. In an alternative embodiment, personal shopping device  202  may determine whether the number of alert signals indicating a fake wave and price check signals indicating that a product identifier was read but no purchase was made has exceeded a selectable threshold value. If either number has exceeded a threshold value, then the process proceeds to step  608 . At step  608 , personal shopping device  202  alerts a security unit to begin monitoring a user that may be committing fraud. A security unit could include a process on server  124  or could include actual security personnel. The process then ends at step  610 .  
         [0041]     Returning to step  606 , if personal shopping device  202  determines that either previously discussed number has not exceeded a threshold value, then the process proceeds to step  612 , which personal shopping device  202  determining whether a suspicious activity pattern exists. If a suspicious activity pattern exists, then the process next moves to step  608 , which is described above. If no suspicious activity pattern exists, then the process next moves to step  614 . At step  614 , personal shopping device  202  determines whether checkout is indicated. If checkout is indicated, then the process ends at step  610 . If checkout is not indicated, then the process returns to step  602 , which is described above.  
         [0042]     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , possible interactions of security personnel and other persons using the preferred embodiment with signals produced by the preferred embodiment are depicted. Two possible uses of the preferred embodiment are indicated. In the first, indicated as step  704 , store personnel, security personnel  702 , or an intelligent automated system monitor an indicator light or transmission (with a detector, such as server  124 ) for suspicious activity. This monitoring can be achieved by watching secondary display unit  208  on personal shopping device  202  for signals indicating the whether items being placed in a cart are actually being purchased by a user.  
         [0043]     In a second scenario, indicated as step  708 , other shoppers  706 , having become familiar with the common tones or lights emitted by honest purchases during their own use of the system, may detect and report suspicious activity to store personnel or security personnel  702 . This monitoring may be achieved by watching secondary display unit  208  on personal shopping device  202  for signals indicating whether items being placed in a cart are acutlaly being purchased by a user.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , interaction of customers, security personnel and other persons using the preferred embodiment with signals produced by the preferred embodiment to prevent theft is illustrated. The process starts at step  800 , which corresponds to activation of personal shopping device  202 . The process can then proceed along two different tracks. Along the first track, the process next proceeds to step  804 , which depicts a customer checking a price of an item with personal shopping device  202  but indicating a decision not to buy the item, such as by pressing skip item button  410 . The process then moves to step  818 . At step  818 , personal shopping device  202  provides a ‘check price’ indicator, such as the price check signal, described above. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can respond by monitoring  808  the actions of the shopper.  
         [0045]     The process then moves to step  820 . At step  820 , secondary display device  208  can remain illuminated with a check price indicator such as a scan signal to continue to attract attention until another transaction is undertaken. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can respond by monitoring  812  the actions of the shopper. Then, in our example scenario, the process next proceeds to step  822 , at which the customer, who has purchased nothing, places an item in the shopping cart  204  as though it had been purchased. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can take appropriate action  816  by politely informing the shopper that he has left an item in the cart that he has not purchased. The process then ends at step  824 .  
         [0046]     Alternatively, the process can proceed from step  800  to step  802 , which depicts a customer removing an item from a transaction, such as by pressing remove button  312 . The process then moves to step  806 . At step  806 , personal shopping device  202  provides a ‘removed item’ indicator, such which may be the same as or different from the scan signal, described above. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can respond by monitoring  808  the actions of the shopper.  
         [0047]     The process then moves to step  810 . At step  810 , secondary display device  208  can remain illuminated with a remove indicator such as a scan signal to continue to attract attention until another transaction is undertaken. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can respond by monitoring  812  the actions of the shopper. Then, in our example scenario, the process next proceeds to step  814 , at which the customer, who has removed an item from a transaction, fails to remove an item from the shopping cart  204  as though it had been purchased. Other shoppers  706  or store personnel or security personnel  702  can take appropriate action  816  by politely informing the shopper that he has left an item in the cart that he has not purchased. The process then ends at step  824   
         [0048]     The present invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing a method to detect false purchases, fraud, and shoplifting. The preferred embodiment provides notification of suspicious activity to monitoring devices, store or security personnel, or other shoppers, whenever suspicious activity is taking place. The preferred embodiment makes suspicious activity highly visible, in the hopes of both deterring and detecting suspicious activity to prevent loss.  
         [0049]     While the invention has been particularly shown as described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also important to note that although the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functional computer system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media utilized to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include, without limitation, recordable type media such as floppy disks or CD ROMs and transmission type media such as analog or digital communication links.