Abstract:
The invention relates to a self-checkout kiosk that utilizes RFID tags and a distance and direction RFID reader to detect sales merchandise. The kiosk includes POS software, which automatically detects items selected by a patron that have previously been received into inventory and tagged, which facilitates the completion of the sale by detecting the distance and direction of the RFID tag. The kiosk incorporates a communication system and means for the patron to communicate with a store employee located distant from the kiosk. The POS software utilizes multiple payment methods and has the capability to display advertisements based on product being detected.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119 
       [0001]    The present application for patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/879,966 entitled “SMART RFID CHECKOUT KIOSK,” filed Jan. 11, 2007, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a self-checkout kiosk having a security system. More particularly, the invention relates to a self-checkout kiosk that utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on sales merchandise and a RFID reader to detect the distance and direction of the RFID tags and to initiate an alarm. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Checkout kiosks are well known in the art. One example of such a checkout kiosk may be found in grocery stores having self-checkout lanes. For example, a patron may place individual items next to a bar code reader so the bar code reader can scan and identify the particular item. Typically, an employee of the grocery store is present to supervise the self-checkout lanes by providing assistance to the patrons if needed and security to prevent theft of the items. Such a checkout kiosk has many obvious limitations including the need for an employee to always be present to provide assistance and security. The present invention provides a novel solution to avoid these limitations. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists in the art for techniques to provide assistance and security without an employee always being present to provide assistance and security. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A self-checkout apparatus for detecting an RFID tag may include a housing having an acrylic panel, a memory module positioned in the housing for storing POS software, a processor for executing the POS software, an antenna positioned in the housing for transmitting a TX signal through the acrylic panel of the housing to an RFID tag and for receiving a RX signal from the RFID tag, and an RFID reader, positioned in the housing and controlled by the POS software, for determining an item number for the RFID tag using the RX signal. The self-checkout apparatus may also include a security module positioned in a different location than the housing, the security module having an acrylic panel, an antenna positioned in the security module for transmitting a TX signal through the acrylic panel of the security module to the RFID tag and for receiving a RX signal from the RFID tag, and a distance and direction RFID reader positioned in the security module to receive the RX signal from the RFID tag, determine a distance and a direction of movement of the RFID tag, determine whether the distance is greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 3 feet) and the direction of movement is in a predetermined direction (e.g., exiting the store), and if so, transmit a security signal and a description of an item with the RFID tag to the processor. 
         [0008]    A method for detecting whether an item has been paid for or stolen using an RFID tag may include transmitting a first signal to an RFID tag, receiving a second signal from the RFID tag, determining a distance and a direction of movement of the RFID tag using the second signal, determining whether the distance is greater than a predetermined value, determining whether the direction of movement is in a predetermined direction, and transmitting an alarm signal when the distance is greater than the predetermined value and the direction of movement is in the predetermined direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a self-checkout kiosk system for locating and detecting the distance and direction of an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the self-checkout kiosk of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the security module and gate module of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the security module and gate module of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method for detecting whether an item has been paid for or stolen using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Apparatus, systems and methods that implement the embodiments of the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure in which the element first appears. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a self-checkout kiosk system  100  for locating and detecting the distance and direction of an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the invention. The system  100  can also detect when a patron fails to pay for an item  155  and sound an alarm  175  indicating that the item  155  has not been paid for. The system  100  may include a kiosk or point-of-sale (POS) device  105 , a distance and direction RFID reader  110 , a security camera  125 , a touch screen  130 , a processor  133 , a card reader  135 , a call device  140 , POS software  145 , POS database  150 , an RFID tag  160 , a security module and gate module  165 , a security distance and direction RFID reader  166 , a remote call device  170 , an alarm  175 , and a gate  180 . Some advantages of the system  100  include increased speed of transactions, better quality of service and overall patron satisfaction with the selling process without the need for checkout personnel to be located at the immediate location of the kiosk  105 , and the security distance and direction RFID reader  166  for determining whether the item  155  has been paid for and if not, sounding the alarm  175  and recording a description (e.g., item name, number or description) of the item  155  that was stolen for inventory management. 
         [0017]    The system  100  may be used to illustrate the apparatus and methods described herein for locating and detecting the distance and direction of the RFID tag  160  and determining whether any items have been stolen. The system  100  and the components of the system  100  may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. One or more components can be rearranged and/or combined, and other systems can be used in place of the system  100  while still maintaining the spirit and scope of the invention. Additional components may be added to the system  100  or may be removed from the system  100  while still maintaining the spirit and scope of the invention. The components of the system  100  may be connected to each other using wireless and/or wired connections. 
         [0018]    The kiosk or point-of-sale device  105  is a device that allows a patron to use the touch screen  130  to purchase items  155  detected by the distance and direction RFID reader  110 . The kiosk  105  may be a housing having a cavity that holds the electronic components. The kiosk  105  may have a shelf or tray  131  that is used by patrons as a convenient location to place items  155  for checkout. The kiosk  105  may be an armature made of a material that allows passage of RF signals. In one embodiment, the kiosk  105  is made out of a metallic material (e.g., steel) with first and second non-metallic (e.g., acrylic) panels or plates  133  and  134  to allow the passage of RF signals at a frequency of about 915 MHz. In one embodiment, first transmitter  115   a  and first receiver  120   a  are positioned behind the first acrylic panel  133  and second transmitter  115   b  and second receiver  120   b  are positioned under the second acrylic panel  134 . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the kiosk  105  may be constructed of various materials including plastic and fiberglass which also allow the passage of RF signals of desired frequencies. One advantage of the kiosk  105  is its overall small footprint size. The kiosk  105  and the security module and gate module  165  are small enough to use in a confined area. 
         [0019]    The distance and direction RFID reader  110  detects and identifies each RFID tag  160  within a predetermined range. The distance and direction RFID readers  110 ,  166  can detect the distance to the RFID tags  160  and the direction and speed of movement of the RFID tags  160 . Some examples of the distance and direction RFID readers  110 ,  166  are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,868,073 and 6,975,229 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20060022825 and 20050237953. In one embodiment, the distance and direction RFID readers  110  may include a transmitter  115  with one or more RFID antennas and a receiver  120  with one or more RFID antennas. In one embodiment, the distance and direction RFID reader  166  may include a transmitter  167  with one or more RFID antennas and a receiver  168  with one or more RFID antennas. The distance and direction RFID reader  110  may be used to scan in the item  155  for purchase by the patron and the distance and direction RFID reader  166  may be used to detect whether the item  155  has been stolen (e.g., travels beyond the security module and gate module  165  by a certain distance towards a certain direction—outside the store at a certain speed) and if so, identify by item names or numbers the specific items  155  that were stolen. 
         [0020]    The POS software  145  controls the operations and functions of the distance and direction RFID readers  110 ,  166 . The POS software  145  can detect the presence of the RFID tag  160 , determine whether the RFID tag  160  is approaching or moving away from the kiosk  105 , determine whether the RFID tag  160  is moving towards an exit, determine whether the RFID tag  160  has moved a certain distance in a certain direction from the exit, and identify and list the stolen items  155 . If the POS software  145  determines that the RFID tags  160  are approaching the kiosk  105  (e.g., within about 3 feet of the RFID antennas), the touch screen  130  displays a list of items  155  in the patron&#39;s possession (e.g., in the basket or cart) and allows the patron to perform a self-checkout using the card reader  135 . If the POS software  145  determines that the RFID tags  160  are moving towards the exit (e.g., within about 2 feet of the exit), the POS software  145  send an alarm signal to the security module  165  to sound an alarm  175  and a theft signal to the POS database  150  to record the event as a theft. If the POS software  145  determines that the RFID tags  160  are not moving or are beyond a predetermined distance (e.g., greater than about 3 feet) from the kiosk  105 , the POS software  145  continues to monitor the RFID tags  160  to determine whether the RFID tags  160  are ready for self-checkout or are considered under a theft status. The POS software  145  may be used with the transmitters  115 ,  167  and the receivers  120 ,  168  to calculate distance and relative direction of the RFID tags  160 . 
         [0021]    The POS database  150  may include two databases. The first database may be a Microsoft SQL Server Database that contains the entire local inventory of tagged items  155  or products. The second database may be a Microsoft SQL Server Database that contains all transactions completed at the kiosk  105  and a list of all stolen items  155 . The second database can be remotely accessed by employees or managers to conduct inventory management. Both databases are synchronized by a separate program that monitors the operation of the kiosk  105  and the security module and gate module  165 . The POS software  145  allows for multiple payment methods that can be turned on or off. 
         [0022]    During operation, the transmitter  115  transmits TX signals in an area near the patrons whom are ready to checkout. Each TX signal may be amplitude, phase, and/or frequency shifted from another TX signal. Each item  155  has an RFID tag  160  affixed to it. The RFID tags  160  may receive the TX signals and transmit RX signals to the receiver  120 . Each RX signal may be amplitude, phase, and/or frequency shifted from another RX signal. A unique 24 hex digit identifier is exchanged between the TX and RX signals. Energy from the TX signal activates the RFID tag  160  RX signal and returns a 24 hex digit identifier to the receiver  120 . Based on the amplitude, phase, and/or frequency differences between the RX signals received by the receiver  120 , the distance and direction RFID reader  110  determines the distance of the RFID tags  160  from the kiosk  105 , the relative direction of the RFID tags  160 , and the position of the RFID tags  160  by comparing the I-Q phase angle vectors of the RX signals. Simple trigonometry and use of vector mathematics can calculate the distance and direction of the RFID tag  160 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the distance and direction RFID reader  110  may include two circularly polarized 915 MHz antennas both mounted in the same or similar direction. In one embodiment, the first antenna may be mounted behind the first acrylic panel  133  of the kiosk  105 . The second antenna may be mounted adjacent and perpendicular to the first antenna such as under the second acrylic panel  134 . The two antennas create strong tag detection coverage by emitting a 45 degree radiation pattern from each antenna which serves the dual purpose of detecting tagged products to complete sales and detecting tagged products to detect theft. Still another advantage of the invention results from a component which contains an antenna mounted facing upward in the tray  131  to facilitate detection of the RFID tag  160 . 
         [0024]    The item number, name, price, and discount amount for each item  155  is stored in the POS database  150 . The touch screen  130 , which is controlled by the processor  133 , allows an employee to input or scan the details of each item  155  into the POS database  150 . In addition, the touch screen  130  may be used to view all the purchased items  155 , price of each item  155 , and any discount applied to an item  155 . An advantageous feature is an electronic advertisement display generated by the POS software  145  that allows advertising above the POS self-checkout features on the same 19″ LCD touch screen display. The processor  133  may be a computer and the touch screen  130  may be an inverted 19″ SVGA LCD touch screen. 
         [0025]    The processor  133  may be a standard PC with sufficient 10 ports to accommodate the ancillary electronic connections and a 19″ LCD touch screen  130  that can be rotated about 90 degrees. The processor  133  and the touch screen  130  are the main interfaces between the kiosk  105  and the patron. The processor  133  runs the POS software  145 . The processor  133  may utilize software written in Visual Basic version 6.0 which is compiled to create the POS software  145  that interfaces with the distance and direction RFID reader  110 . The POS software  145  also allows programming of the RFID tags  160  and stocking of the shelves with the kiosk  105  without the need for additional software. The processor  133  may store computer instructions on a machine readable medium for controlling the operations and functions of the various components of the kiosk  105 . The processor  133  may include one or more memory modules for storing instructions to control the operations and functions of the various components of the kiosk  105 . The term “machine readable medium” includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, DVD, wireless channels, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. The processor  133  may be an Advanced RISC Machine (ARM), a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of processing instructions. 
         [0026]    The kiosk  105  allows a patron to purchase items  155  that have been tagged with an RFID tag  160  and stored in the POS database  150 . In one embodiment, a patron may approach the kiosk  105 , which automatically detects and identifies each item  155  of the patron&#39;s using the distance and direction RFID reader  110 , and conducts a self-checkout process where the patron pays for the items  155  using the card reader  135  (e.g., a credit card reader) or other means known in the art. The POS software  145  consummates the sale of the items  155  initiated by the patron. Identification of the items  155  is compared to the POS database  150 , which contains pertinent information about each item  155  (e.g., price) and the patron can view details, advertisements, prices and discounts related to each item  155 . 
         [0027]    The patron can used various different methods to pay for the items  155 . For example, credit card authorizations can be performed using 911 software. The 911 software uses an Internet connection and a load authorization server service running on the processor  133  to deliver an instant approval code and thereafter to deliver batch load transactions to a bank merchant account. The card reader (e.g., magnetic card swipe)  135  is a standard POS, Inc. keyboard wedge and is mounted on the self-checkout kiosk  105  and emulates keyboard entries. The POS software  145  segregates the input and uses it for credit card approvals. The POS software uses any card with a magnetic strip. The receipt printer is a SWECOIN TTP 1020 mounted on the self-checkout kiosk  105 . Standard print commands are processed from the POS software  145 . In some installations, a second wireless printer may be utilized. Cash transactions are completed with an interfaced bill validator  142 , the POS software  145  and a coin changer  141 . When the patron selects a currency transaction it may be finalized with the dispensing of change. Charging purchases to a patron&#39;s specific location, such as a hotel room, is completed by entry of a room number or other identifying information with a receipt printed on the local printer and on the wireless printer. Cash card purchases are available by utilizing the card reader  135  or biometric interfaces such as a fingerprint reader and associating inserted cash with a store value account. 
         [0028]    During the checkout process, the patron has the opportunity, if needed, to request assistance from an employee using a call device  140 . For example, the patron can use the touch screen  130  to request live audio and video assistance (i.e., checkout, product or price assistance) from an employee via a SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) telephone call. The employee assisting the patron may be located at the remote call device  170 , which is at a remote location from the kiosk  105 . The patron may not be able to see or determine where the employee is located but will be able to speak to the employee using the call device  140 . The call device  140  and the remote call device  170  establish a communication link that allows bilateral verbal communication between the patron and the employee even though the employee is located a distance away from the kiosk  105 . 
         [0029]    Additionally, the employee can monitor the state of the distance and direction RFID readers  110 ,  166 , the processor  133 , the POS software  145 , and the associated components. Furthermore, the employee can reboot any of the components and systems and update and revise the POS software  145 . The system  100  may include a 4-port Linksys wireless router, which can be connected to a cable modem or a DSL connection. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and rear perspective views of the security module and gate module of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the security module and gate module  165  may be a self standing rectangular box that contains one or more RFID antennas  167 ,  168  (preferably 2 RFID antennas) and an audible alarm  175 , which is wirelessly or wire connected to the kiosk  105 . The security module and gate module  165  is wirelessly or wire connected to the processor  133 . The security module and gate module  165  may include a security gate  180  and may be an armature made of a material that allows passage of RF signals. In one embodiment, the security module and gate module  165  is made out of a metallic material (e.g., steel) with first and second non-metallic (e.g., acrylic) panels or plates  163  and  164  to allow the passage of RF signals at a frequency of about 915 MHz. In one embodiment, first security transmitter  168   a  and first security receiver  167   a  are positioned behind the first acrylic panel  163  and second transmitter  168   b  and second receiver  167   b  are positioned behind the second acrylic panel  164 . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the kiosk  105  and the security module and gate module  165  may be constructed of various materials including plastic and fiberglass which also allow the passage of RF signals of desired frequencies. One advantage of the security module and gate module  165  is its overall small footprint size. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the distance and direction RFID reader  166  may include two circularly polarized 915 MHz antennas both mounted in the same or similar direction. In one embodiment, the first antenna may be mounted behind the first acrylic panel  163  of the security module and gate module  165 . The second antenna may be mounted adjacent and/or perpendicular to the first antenna such as behind the second acrylic panel  164 . The two antennas create strong tag detection coverage by emitting a 45 degree radiation pattern from each antenna which serves the purpose of detecting tagged items  155  or products to detect theft. 
         [0032]    Should a patron attempt to exit the location by walking away from the kiosk  105  towards an exit without paying for the items  155 , the distance and direction RFID reader  166 , which may be controlled using the processor  133  and/or the POS software  145 , sends control signals to instruct the security camera  125  to capture an image, record the patron, initiate the audible alarm  175 , and record a theft event in the POS database  150  with a time stamp and a date stamp that is associated with the RFID tags  160 . A security camera  125  may be located on the kiosk  105  and/or the security module and gate module  165 . The system  100  advantageously provides the kiosk  105  with POS software  145 , remote management using remote call device  170 , the distance and direction RFID readers  110 ,  166 , and the security camera  125  functioning harmoniously for an automatic self-checkout that is theft deterrent. 
         [0033]    One advantage of the invention may include a single unit having multiple RFID antennas, POS software and distance and direction RFID readers. Another advantage of the invention may include the detection of an RFID tag&#39;s distance and direction to determine if a patron is checking out or exiting the system without paying for the product. Additional advantages of the invention include: (1) the use of a tray and two perpendicular adjacent mounted circular antennas to detect the vended product on the tray combined with the orientation of the antennas; (2) a distance and direction RFID reader in combination with POS software for inventory management and for allowing the shelf stocking duties to be performed at the kiosk; and (3) the ability to integrate security features such as alarm notifications. 
         [0034]    Those of ordinary skill would appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and algorithm steps described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosed methods. 
         [0035]    The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
         [0036]    The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside in a wireless modem. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in the wireless modem. 
         [0037]    The previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosed methods and apparatus. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed method and apparatus. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.