Patent Publication Number: US-2004041021-A1

Title: Modular self checkout system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE  
     [0001] Cross reference is made to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/432,634 (NCR Docket No. 8641), filed Nov. 2, 1999, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Operating a Checkout System Having a Number of Port Expander Devices Associated Therewith” by Robert L. Snyder and commonly assigned herewith. 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates generally to a checkout system, and more particularly to a self checkout system for a retail application.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] In the retail industry, the largest expenditures are typically the cost of the goods sold followed closely by the cost of labor expended. With particular regard to the retail grocery or supermarket industry, the impetus to reduce labor costs has focused on reducing or eliminating the amount of time required to handle and/or process the items or goods to be purchased by a customer. To this end, there have been a number of self-service checkout systems developed which attempt to substantially eliminate the need for a checkout clerk.  
       [0004] A self-service checkout system is operated by a customer without the aid of a checkout clerk. Hence, during operation of a self-service checkout system, the customer scans individual items for purchase across a scanner and then places the scanned items into a grocery bag, if desired. The customer then pays for his or her purchases either at the self-service checkout system if so equipped, or at a central payment area which is staffed by a store employee. Thus, a self-service checkout system permits a customer to select, itemize, and in some cases pay for his or her purchases without the assistance of the retailer&#39;s personnel.  
       [0005] It should be appreciated that a given retailer may have a number of reservations in regard to implementation of self-service checkout systems into the retailer&#39;s operation. For example, certain self-service checkout systems which have heretofore been designed are more expensive relative to assisted checkout systems (i.e., retail checkout systems which are operated by an employee of the retailer such as a checkout clerk). The higher cost associated with a self-service checkout system is typically due to the fact that the system itself must perform functions that would normally be performed by the checkout clerk operating the checkout system thereby increasing the number of components associated with the self-service checkout system. For instance, in the case of a self-service checkout system, the system must provide security from improprieties such as theft. Moreover, in certain self-service checkout systems, the checkout system itself must collect payment from the customer for his or her items for purchase. It is the cost of the hardware and software necessary to provide such functions to the self-service checkout system which in certain cases cause the cost of the system to typically exceed the cost of an assisted checkout system.  
       [0006] Moreover, once a self-service checkout system has been set up on the retailer&#39;s premises, it is not easy to modify the checkout system to adapt to changing needs of the retailer. Self-service checkout systems which have heretofore been designed include components that are intended to be kept together throughout their useful lives. Thus, the components are attached and connected to each other in a permanent fashion, and are not easy to separate from one another. Further, since the components of the checkout system are intended to be kept together, most of the components are encapsulated in a common cabinet, which makes it even more difficult to separate the components from each other.  
       [0007] Thus, it is not easy to modify a checkout system by, for example, replacing a bagwell with a take-away belt since the cabinetry would also have to be modified. Another problem is that if upgraded, newer versions of the components become available, it is not easy to replace the older version of the component with the newer version.  
       [0008] Further, in self-service checkout systems which have heretofore been designed, it is not possible to switch from a left-hand configuration to a right-hand configuration, or vice versa. In a left-hand configuration, the purchased items flow from the user&#39;s left-hand side to his right-hand side. Conversely, in a right-hand configuration, the purchased items flow from the user&#39;s right-hand side to his left-hand side. Two sets of checkout system components must be kept in inventory, one set for left-hand configurations and the other set for right-hand configurations. Having to keep two sets of components in inventory increases the inventory costs of both the retailer and the manufacturer/distributor of the checkout system. Yet further, having two sets of checkout system components increases the possibility that a wrong part may be ordered or shipped, such as a left-handed part when a right-handed part is needed.  
       [0009] What is needed therefore is a checkout system which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. What is particularly needed is a checkout system that may be quickly and easily modified by replacing certain components with other better-suited components as the need arises. For example, if newer versions of components become available, there is a need to be able to replace the older versions of the components with the newer versions. What is further needed is a checkout system including components that may be assembled in either a right-hand or left-hand configuration, thereby reducing the inventory requirements for the components.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a modular self checkout terminal configuration kit including a set of input modules operative to position a plurality of items for processing, a set of main modules operative to process the items, and a set of output modules operative to position the items for bagging. A modular self checkout terminal is configured from one input module of the set of input modules, one main module of the set of main modules, and one output module of the set of output modules. The set of input modules includes a bumper, an input belt module and/or a shelf. The one main module includes a scanner and/or a weight scale. The set of output modules includes a take-away belt module and/or a bagwell.  
       [0011] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a retail terminal. The retail terminal has an input unit including a first bumper, an input belt module and/or a shelf. The retail terminal also has an output unit including a take-away belt module and/or a bagwell. The retail terminal further has a first main unit including a scanner and/or a first weight scale. The first main unit is associated with the input unit and with the output unit. The first main unit has a first main cabinet separate from the input unit and from the output unit.  
       [0012] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of configuring a modular self-checkout station, including selecting one input module from a set of input modules, selecting one main module from a set of main modules, and selecting one output module from a set of output modules. The selected one input module, the selected one main module, and the selected output module are assembled into a modular self-checkout station.  
       [0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful checkout system.  
       [0014] It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide an improved checkout system.  
       [0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and useful method of assembling a checkout system.  
       [0016] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of assembling a checkout system.  
       [0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a low-cost checkout system that may be easily modified to include different components and/or new versions of components.  
       [0018] It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a checkout system that includes components that may be used in either a left-hand or right-hand configuration, thereby reducing inventory requirements.  
       [0019] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of exemplary left-hand components of a modular self checkout terminal configuration kit into which a self checkout terminal or station may be fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a left-hand configured self checkout terminal configured from the kit of FIG. 1;  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a left-hand configured self checkout terminal configured from the kit of FIG. 1;  
     [0023]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an exemplary core module of the modular self checkout terminal configuration kit of FIG. 1;  
     [0024]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an exemplary currency module of the modular self checkout terminal of FIG. 3;  
     [0025]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an exemplary pedestal of the modular self checkout terminal configuration kit of FIG. 1;  
     [0026]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear view of an exemplary take-away belt module, an exemplary large bagwell and an exemplary small bagwell of the modular self checkout terminal configuration kit of FIG. 1;  
     [0027]FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of an exemplary security deactivation module of the modular self checkout terminal of FIG. 3;  
     [0028]FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of the checkout system of FIG. 2;  
     [0029]FIGS. 10A and 10B are views similar to FIG. 9, but showing the power distribution architecture of the checkout system of FIG. 2;  
     [0030]FIG. 11 is a flowchart which shows an exemplary general procedure or routine for operating the checkout system of the present invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 12 is a flowchart which shows an exemplary scale security routine for providing security during operation of the checkout system of the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary interactive customer interface terminal of the checkout system of FIG. 2;  
     [0033]FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of exemplary right-hand components of a modular self checkout terminal configuration kit into which a self checkout terminal or station may be fashioned in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
     [0034]FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary core module of the modular self checkout terminal configuration kits of FIGS. 1 and 14. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0035] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
     [0036] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a modular self-service retail checkout terminal configuration kit  10  from which can be assembled a self-service retail checkout terminal or system, such as a terminal or station  12  (FIG. 2), for use in a retail business such as a grocery store. For purposes of the following discussion, the modular self-service or self checkout terminal configuration kit  10  will be described in detail; however, it should be appreciated that an assisted checkout terminal (i.e., a retail checkout terminal which is operated by a store employee such as a checkout clerk) may be configured in a similar manner.  
     [0037] The checkout system configuration kit  10  includes a set  14  of input units or modules, a set  16  of main units or modules, and a set  18  of output units or modules. The input units receive the item(s) pre-purchase and/or position items to be purchased for processing by the main unit(s). The main units process the items and/or process or effect a purchase transaction, such as by scanning and/or weighing the items, and/or by accepting payment for the items. The output units receive the item(s) post-purchase and/or position the items for bagging. Without being limiting, the set  14  of input units includes a side bumper  20 , an input belt module  22  and a basket shelf  24 . Without being limiting, the set  16  of main units includes a core module  26 , a back bumper  28 , an upper currency module  30 , a pedestal  32  and a base  34 . Without being limiting, the set  18  of output units includes a take-away belt module  36 , a large bagwell  38  and a small bagwell  40 , each having a separate output cabinet.  
     [0038] In accordance with an aspect of the subject invention, a self checkout terminal or station may be configured in a variety of setups, configurations, et cetera utilizing at least one component of each set of units. More particularly, a self checkout terminal is typically configured utilizing one selected unit of the set  14  of input units, one or more and, preferably, all of the units  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  of the set  16  of main units, and one selected unit of the set  18  of output units.  
     [0039] The terminal  12  (FIG. 2) is one exemplary embodiment of a modular self checkout terminal that can be configured, assembled or designed from the various components of the various units  14 ,  16 ,  18  of the terminal configuration kit  10 . Particularly, a configured and/or assembled terminal generally includes: a selected one of the input units of the set  14 , i.e., a side bumper  20 , an input belt module  22  or a basket shelf  24 ; each one of the main units from set  16 , i.e., a core module  26 , a back bumper  28 , an upper currency module  30 , a pedestal  32  and a base  34 ; and a selected one of the output units of the set  18 , i.e., a take-away module  36 , a large bagwell  38  or a small bagwell  40 . For example, the terminal  12  includes a basket shelf  24 , a core module  26 , a back bumper  28 , an upper currency module  30 , a pedestal  32 , a base  34 , and a takeaway module  36 . Other components for each unit not shown may be provided in the kit  10 .  
     [0040] The terminal configuration kit  10  can be configured into nine different combinations in order to form a modular self checkout terminal. That is, for each of the three input units  20 ,  22  and  24  that can possibly be selected to be included in an assembled terminal, there are three different output units  36 ,  38  and  40  that can also be selected to be included in the assembled terminal. Which of the nine possible combinations of input units and output units that is selected depends upon the particular application for which the terminal is intended. For example, the terminal  12  of FIG. 2 may be appropriate for an application in which many small items are carried by the shopper in a basket that may be placed on the shelf  24 , and employees of the store are available to bag the items at a distal end  42  of the take-away belt module  36 . For another example, a terminal  44  (FIG. 3) including an input belt module  22  and a large bagwell  38  may be appropriate for an application in which a large number of items are brought to the terminal  44  in a shopping cart, and it is expected that one person may unload the items from the cart onto the input belt module  22  while another person operates the set  16  of main units and/or places the items into bags  46  on the bagwell  38 .  
     [0041] The structure and interaction of each of the units and/or components of the terminal configuration kit  10  will now be described in greater detail. The side bumper  20  is attached to a side surface  48   a  of the core module  26 , and is configured to prevent shopping carts from running into the core module  26 . It is the bumper  20  that absorbs the impact of any such errant carts, thereby avoiding dents and scratches in the core module  26 .  
     [0042] The input belt module  22  includes an endless rotating input belt  50  driven by an electromechanical drive apparatus such as a motor (not shown) encased in an input belt cabinet  52  having a bumper  53 . A user places items to be purchased on the upper surface of belt  50 , the upper surface being the surface that is visible in FIG. 1. The user generally places the items on a distal, upstream end  54  of belt  50 , and, as the upper surface of the belt  50  rotates in a direction  56 , the items are carried from left to right in FIG. 1 toward a proximal, downstream end  58  of the belt  50  in order for the items to be scanned by a user of the checkout system. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used herein to be consistent with the flow of items through the checkout system during a typical checkout procedure. The input belt module  22  is not controlled by or powered through the main units  16 , but rather is powered through its own dedicated power circuit.  
     [0043] The basket shelf  24  is attached to the side surface  48   a  of the core module  26 , and is configured to support one or more shopping baskets containing items to be purchased. The shelf  24  includes a back rail  60  and side rails  62  for preventing the baskets from sliding off of the shelf  24 .  
     [0044] The core module  26  includes a lane light assembly  64 , a customer interface terminal  66 , a scanner  68 , a product scale  70 , a bill dispenser  72  and a core module cabinet  76 . The lane light assembly  64  includes a status tri-light device  78  provided in order to notify store personnel, such as a customer service manager, if intervention into the current checkout transaction is needed. In particular, if during operation of the checkout system, an intervention-needed activity is detected, the status tri-light device  78  is operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager. What is meant herein by the term “intervention-needed activity” is (1) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which the checkout system is unintentionally operated improperly, (2) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which it can be inferred with a high degree of confidence that the checkout system is intentionally operated improperly for illicit purposes such as theft, (3) activity by the customer or retail personnel in which the customer or retail personnel operates an input device associated with the checkout system in a manner which indicates that he or she is in need of assistance, and (4) activity by the components associated with the checkout system which has rendered the system in need of maintenance or other type of service.  
     [0045] Hence, an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity in which the checkout system is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally), or a non-security-breach activity in which the customer or checkout clerk is in need of assistance or the checkout system is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For example, if the customer attempted to scan an item a number of times with the scanner  68 , but the product identification code associated with the item was not read by the scanner  68 , the processing unit  66   b  (FIG. 9) concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0046] Moreover, it should be appreciated that even if the product identification code associated with the item is entered, the processing unit  66   b  may determine that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag (as detected by, for example, a security scale  164 ), the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For further example, if the customer or checkout clerk attempts to weigh an item such as produce with the product scale  70 , but does not properly position the item on the product scale  70  or has not properly ‘zeroed’ the product scale  70 , the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0047] Yet further examples of intervention-needed activities may include (1) failure to surrender an item after the item has been voided, (2) weighing only a portion of an item (e.g., weighing only one banana, but placing four bananas into a grocery bag), and (3) placing an item into a grocery bag or onto the set-aside shelf  146  without first attempting to scan or otherwise enter the item. Moreover, if the customer touches a particular portion of the touch screen associated with the user interface display monitor  66   a , thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0048] In addition, the processing unit  66   b  may monitor the status of the retail peripheral devices associated with the checkout system in order to determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, the processing unit  66   b  preferably monitors the currency level within the coin dispenser  92  and the bill dispenser  72  in order to determine if either currency dispenser  72 ,  92  is in need of restocking. Moreover, the processing unit  66   b  preferably monitors the paper supply level within the receipt printer  110  in order to determine if the printer  110  is in need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of the currency dispensers  72 ,  92  or the printer  110  is in need of restocking, the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0049] It should be appreciated that although numerous examples of intervention-needed activities have herein been described, numerous other types of intervention-needed activities may exist, as defined by a particular retailer or provided by a particular design of the checkout system. Further examples of intervention-needed activities, along with a number of mechanisms and methods for detecting occurrence thereof, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,642 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Sep. 14, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,784 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Security for a Self-Service Checkout Station” by Joanne Walter and Tracy Flynn, which was issued on May 5, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,9384 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Resetting a Product Scale of a Retail Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Jun. 27, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,087 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Security to a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by John Addy and Jim Morrison, which was issued on May 2, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,866 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Reducing Shrinkage During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Jim Morrison and Joanne Walter, which was issued on Aug. 22, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,128 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Placement and Item Removal During Operation of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Jim Morrison and Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Feb. 29, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,381 entitled “Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Stephen Swaine, Ali Vassigh, and Grant Paton, which was issued on Oct. 12, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,861 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Enhancing Security in a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by John Addy and Marc Lynn, which was issued on Oct. 12, 1999. The disclosures of each of the above-identified issued patents and patent applications are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, and are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.  
     [0050] As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been detected, the status tri-light device  78  is operated to summon retail personnel. For example, the status tri-light device  78  may display a first colored light in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the status tri-light device  78  may display a second colored light in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed immediately.  
     [0051] The interactive customer interface terminal  66  includes a display monitor  66   a  which is provided to display retail information to the customer during operation of the checkout system. For example, transaction information such as item price, item description, total amount of the transaction, instructions, etcetera is displayed to the customer via the display monitor  66   a  during operation of the checkout system. Also displayed on the display monitor  66   a  are instructions which assist or otherwise guide the customer through operation of the checkout system. Moreover, customer-specific messages may be displayed to the customer on the display monitor  66   a  at certain times during a checkout transaction.  
     [0052] The display monitor  66   a  is preferably a known touch screen monitor which can generate data signals when certain areas of the screen are touched by a customer. Hence, the display monitor  66   a  may be utilized by the customer to input information into the checkout system. For example, the customer may manually enter retail information such as item codes and quantities into the checkout system by use of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a . The customer may indicate his or her preferred method of payment (e.g., cash, credit, or debit card) by touching the appropriate area of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a . A portion of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a  may also be utilized as a “help button” such that assistance is provided to the customer when it is touched by the customer.  
     [0053] Moreover, the interactive customer interface terminal  66  is preferably embodied as a stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is, in essence, a modified flat panel personal computer (PC) which includes a number of components commonly associated therewith such as a processing unit  66   b  having a microprocessor  66   c  (see FIG. 6) and a number of memory modules  66   d  (see FIG. 9) associated therewith, along with other commonly utilized PC components such as an Ethernet controller, a number of video and audio control devices, a storage memory device such as a hard drive device, and a number of connector ports for coupling the interface terminal  66  to a number of retail peripheral devices such as the scanner  68  and the product scale  70 . Hence, in addition to displaying transaction information to the customer, the interactive customer interface terminal  66  functions as the main processing device or controller for controlling operation of the checkout system. It should be appreciated that the interactive customer interface terminal  66  may be embodied as any stand-alone, kiosk-type device which includes the aforedescribed components (e.g., a display monitor, PC, etcetera). One such stand-alone, kiosk-type device which is particularly useful as the interactive customer interface terminal of the present invention is an Informa model information terminal which is commercially available from NCR Corporation.  
     [0054] The scanner  68  conventionally scans or reads a product identification code such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), industrial symbol(s), alphanumeric character(s), or other indicia associated with an item to be purchased. One scanner which may be used in the present invention is a model number 7875 bi-optic scanner which is commercially available from NCR Corporation of Dayton, Ohio.  
     [0055] The scanner  68  includes a first scanning window  68   a  and a second scanning window  68   b . The first scanning window  68   a  is disposed in a substantially horizontal manner, whereas the second scanning window  68   b  is disposed in a substantially vertical manner, as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the core module cabinet  76  has a substantially horizontal upper surface  80 . As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal scanning window  68   a  is disposed in a relatively flush-mount arrangement with the upper surface  80  of the core module cabinet  76 . Moreover, the product scale  70  is integrated with the scanner  68 . More specifically, the product scale  70  is disposed substantially parallel to the upper surface  80  of the core module cabinet  76  and hence the horizontal scanning window  68   a  thereby enveloping the horizontal scanning window  68   a . If an item such as produce is placed upon the product scale  70  or the horizontal scanning window  68   a , the product scale  70  may be used to determine the weight of the item.  
     [0056] The scanner  68  also includes a light source (not shown) such as a laser, a rotating mirror (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown), and a mirror array (not shown). In operation, a laser beam reflects off the rotating mirror and mirror array to produce a pattern of scanning light beams. As the product identification code on an item is passed over the scanner  68 , the scanning light beams scatter off the code and are returned to the scanner  68  where they are collected and detected. The reflected light is then analyzed electronically in order to determine whether the reflected light contains a valid code pattern. If a valid code pattern is present, the product identification code may then be utilized to retrieve product information associated with the item (e.g., the price of the item). The core module cabinet  76  provides a body for the core module  26  and encases the scanner  68 , the product scale  70  and the bill dispenser  72 . The lane light assembly  64  and the customer interface terminal  66  are permanently attached to the core module cabinet  76 . The core module cabinet includes side walls  48   a  and  48   b . The side wall  48   b  includes knockouts or throughholes  82   b ,  83   b  through which cabling can be routed. For example, cabling to the pedestal  32  can be routed through the knockout  82   b . Cabling to a security activation module  186 , which will be discussed in detail below, can be routed through the knockout  83   b.    
     [0057] What is meant herein by the term “knockout” is a section of a cabinet that is surrounded by perforations such that the section can be easily removed from the cabinet to thereby create a throughhole in the cabinet for routing cabling therethrough. If there is not a need for a throughhole in the area of the knockout, the knockout is not removed, but rather is left attached to the cabinet to thereby preserve the aesthetic appeal of the cabinet.  
     [0058] The back bumper  28  is attached to the back surfaces of the core module cabinet  76  and the pedestal  32 , and is configured to prevent shopping carts from running into the core module  26  and the pedestal  32 . Thus, the back bumper  28 , similarly to the side bumper  20 , absorbs the impact of any such errant carts, thereby avoiding dents and scratches in the core module  26  and the pedestal  32 .  
     [0059] The currency module  30  includes a payment area  84  (see FIG. 5) having the system components necessary to allow a customer to perform retail finalization functions such as tendering payment for his or her items for purchase and printing of transaction receipts. In particular, the payment area  84  of the checkout system includes an electronic payment terminal  86  having a card reader and keypad, a pair of currency acceptors such as a coin acceptor  88  and a bill acceptor  90 , a coin dispenser  92 , a coupon acceptor  94  and a receipt dispenser  96 .  
     [0060] The system components associated with the payment area  84  of the checkout system are provided to allow the customer to tender payment for his or her items for purchase. In particular, once the customer has entered all of his or her items for purchase into the checkout terminal during a self-service checkout transaction, the components associated with the payment area  84  are utilized to complete the self-service checkout transaction by (1) allowing payment to be tendered by either insertion of currency into a currency acceptor (i.e., the coin acceptor  88  and/or the bill acceptor  90 ), charging a credit card or debit card account, or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via the electronic payment terminal  86 , and (2) printing a transaction receipt with the receipt dispenser  96 . In the case of when a customer inserts currency into the coin acceptor  88  and/or the bill acceptor  90 , the checkout system may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e., the coin dispenser  92  and/or the bill dispenser  72 ).  
     [0061] The currency module  30  also includes a currency module cabinet  98  providing a body therefor. A bottom wall  104  of the currency module cabinet  98  includes a throughhole  106  through which cabling to the pedestal  32  for a power supply and a hub port can be routed. The bottom wall  104  of the currency module cabinet  98  includes another throughhole  108  through which printer paper from the pedestal  32  is routed for output by the receipt dispenser  96 . The currency module cabinet  98  can be attached to the core module cabinet  76 , such as by the use of screws and/or nuts and bolts.  
     [0062] The pedestal  32  includes a printer  110  (see FIG. 6) and a pedestal cabinet  112  having a top wall  114  supporting the currency module  30 . The top wall  114  includes a throughhole  116   a  through which cabling to the currency module  30  for a power supply and a hub port can be routed. The top wall  114  also includes another throughhole  116   b  through which the printer  110  can transport printed paper to the receipt dispenser  96 . A side wall  120   a  of the pedestal cabinet  112  includes a knockout or throughhole  122   a  through which cabling to the core module  26  can be routed. A front wall  124  of the pedestal cabinet  112  includes a throughhole  126  through which cabling to one of the set  18  of output units can be routed. A bottom wall  128  of the pedestal cabinet  112  includes a throughhole  130  through which cabling running through the floor can be routed. The pedestal cabinet  112  can be attached to the core module cabinet  76  and/or the currency module cabinet  98 , such as by the use of screws and/or nuts and bolts.  
     [0063] The base  34  is a substantially flat substrate having a bottom surface  132  contacting the floor and a top surface  134  supporting the core module  26 , the pedestal  32  and at least part of the selected one of the set  18  of output units. More particularly, the base  34  supports all of the small bagger  40 , part of the large bagger  38 , or part of the take-away belt module  36 . The base  34  also includes a throughhole  136  aligned with the throughhole  130  in the pedestal  32 . Cabling extending between the pedestal  32  and the floor can be routed through the throughhole  136 . The base  34  can be attached to the core module cabinet  76 , the pedestal cabinet  112 , and/or the selected one of the set  18  of output units such as by the use of screws and/or nuts and bolts.  
     [0064] The take-away belt module  36  includes a first take-away belt  138 , a second take-away belt  140  arranged in series with the first take-away belt  138 , a set of rollers  142 , a bagging counter  144 , a set aside shelf  146 , a take-away belt module cabinet  148  and a base extension  149 . The takeaway belts  138 ,  140  and the rollers  142  are provided to transport items which have been scanned with the scanner  68  or otherwise entered into the checkout system to the bagging counter  144  where the items are placed into grocery bags or the like by the customer or a bagging clerk. Hence, as described herein, the large bagwell  38 , the small bagwell  40 , and the bagging counter  144  define the three possible bagging stations associated with the checkout system.  
     [0065] The first take-away belt  138  is an endless rotating output belt driven by an electromechanical drive apparatus such as one of the takeaway belt motors (FIG. 9) encased in the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . A user places items to be bagged on the upper surface of belt  138 , the upper surface being the surface that is visible in FIG. 1. The user generally places the items on an upstream end  150  of the belt  138 , and, as the upper surface of the belt  138  rotates in a direction  152 , the items are carried from left to right in FIG. 1 toward a downstream end  154  of the belt  138 , where the items are transferred to the second take-away belt  140 .  
     [0066] The second take-away belt  140 , like the first take-away belt  138 , is an endless rotating output belt driven by an electromechanical drive apparatus such as one of the take-away belt motors  226  encased in the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . Both of the take-away belts  138 ,  140  can be controlled by and/or powered through the set  16  of main units. The items are transferred from the first take-away belt  138  to an upstream end  156  of the second take-away belt  140  as described above, and, as the upper surface of belt  140  rotates in the direction  152 , the items are carried from left to right in FIG. 1 toward a downstream end  158  of the belt  140 , where the items are transferred to the set of rollers  142 .  
     [0067] The rollers  142  and the bagging counter  144  together define a downward sloping surface on which the items transferred from the second take-away belt  140  slide toward a downstream end  160  of the bagging counter  144 . An upstanding wall  162  prevents the further progression of the items off the bagging counter  144 . There, at the downstream end  160  of the bagging counter  144  and adjacent to the upstanding wall  162 , the items are advantageously positioned for bagging by the customer or a bagging clerk.  
     [0068] Each of the rollers  142  is freely rotatable about its respective central axis. The rollers  142  are caused to rotate by frictional forces imparted by the items that slide across the rollers in the direction  152 . The free rotation of the rollers  142  promotes the movement of the items in the direction  152 .  
     [0069] The take-away belt module  36  also includes a security scale  164  disposed within the loop defined by the first take-away belt  138 . The security scale  164  is a weight scale which monitors the weight of items placed on the first take-away belt  138 . The security scale  164  is utilized to provide security by monitoring item movement onto and off of the first take-away belt  138  during a checkout transaction.  
     [0070] The take-away belt module  36  also includes a security deactivation device  166  disposed within the loop defined by the second take-away belt  140 . The security deactivation device  166  is provided to deactivate or otherwise disable security tags associated with an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system. In particular, certain items sold by the retailer may have an electronic tag secured thereto. Such electronic tags are generally a label or “clip-on” mechanism which has an electronic transponder imbedded therein which triggers an alarm if the item is taken from the retailer&#39;s store without the tag being deactivated or otherwise disabled beforehand. It should be appreciated that such tags are generally secured to items that are expensive in nature, but as the cost associated with such electronic tags continues to decrease, more and more items associated with a given retail operation may be equipped with such electronic tags.  
     [0071] In any event, the electronic tags associated with EAS systems are deactivated by exposing the tag to a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field such as an RF field. The security deactivation device  166  of the present invention generates such a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of the checkout system so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase after the items are scanned with the scanner  24 . In particular, the security deactivation device  166  generates a deactivation field (e.g., a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) downstream from a scanner detection zone associated with the scanner  68 . What is meant herein by the term “scanner detection zone” is the area proximate the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b  of the scanner  68  which defines the maximum range in which an item can be successfully scanned as it is passed across the scanner  68 . Security deactivation devices which are suitable for use as the security deactivation device  166  of the present invention are commercially available from Checkpoint Systems, Incorporated of Thorofare, N.J. (in the case of an RF field generator) and Sensormatic Electronics Corporation of Boca Raton, Fla. (in the case of a magnetic field generator).  
     [0072] By generating the deactivation field downstream from the scanner detection zone, the item is caused to be advanced through the deactivation field, thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item, only after the item has been scanned. By “automatically” deactivating the electronic security tag after the item has been scanned by a customer (i.e., deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which of the customer&#39;s items contain electronic security tags that need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic security tags associated with the customer&#39;s items for purchase. It should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds cost to the retailer&#39;s operation (e.g., the cost associated with staffing the centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailer&#39;s store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue is present at the centralized area.  
     [0073] Utilization of the security deactivation device  166  of the present invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of items into the checkout system by the customer. In particular, utilization of the security deactivation device  166  eliminates the need for the retail clerk to intervene into the customer&#39;s transaction, thereby reducing labor costs associated with the retailer&#39;s operation, and also increasing convenience to the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field downstream from the scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as a result of an item being transferred onto the second take-away belt  140 , the customer is not required to operate a separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like, thereby reducing the number of components with which a customer is presented during operation of the checkout system operation.  
     [0074] It should be appreciated that the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g., the magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field once the product code associated with the item has been captured by the scanner  68 . In particular, under the premise that the customer will make a second attempt to scan the item after he sees that the first attempt has failed, i.e., the customer will not try to commit an impropriety such as theft, the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the electronic security tag is deactivated irrespective of whether or not the product code associated with the item is actually captured with the scanner  68 . For example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner  68  (by advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code associated with the item facing one of the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b ), but the product code is not captured by the scanner  68  for any reason, the security deactivation device  166 , if configured to continuously produce the deactivation field, causes the electronic security tag to be deactivated even though the item was not actually entered in the checkout system. However, in the case of operation of the checkout system by an honest customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g., by re-scanning the item or manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item since the customer is not generally made aware of the fact that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.  
     [0075] However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security tag is prematurely deactivated without the item being subsequently entered in the checkout system, the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code associated with the item has been entered into the checkout system. In particular, a control signal is generated when a product code associated with an item is captured by the scanner  68 . In response to generation of such a control signal, the security deactivation device  166  may be actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field generated by the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a handling motion subsequent to the scanning motion (e.g., the motion associated with placement of the item onto the take-away belt module  36 .  
     [0076] The set-aside shelf  146  is provided to allow a user of the system to set an item aside once the item has been scanned or otherwise entered into the system, but prior to placing the item into a grocery bag. For example, if a customer scans a loaf of bread, the customer may want to place the bread onto the set-aside shelf  146  until one of the grocery bags is nearly full, thereby preventing the bread from being crushed.  
     [0077] As discussed above, the security scale  164  may be utilized to provide security to the checkout system during operation thereof. In particular, the security scale  164  is utilized to monitor the placement of items onto and the removal of items off of the first take-away belt  138 . Such item movement monitoring may be utilized to determine if the customer is unintentionally or intentionally committing an impropriety such as theft. For example, a control signal is generated when the scanner  68  successfully captures a product code associated with an item being entered into the checkout system. The security scale  164  may be used to detect placement of an item onto the first take-away belt  138  prior to generation of the control signal thereby enabling detection of the situation in which an unscanned item has been placed on the bagging counter  144  or on the set-aside shelf  146 .  
     [0078] Moreover, when an item is scanned with the scanner  68  and thereafter placed on the first take-away belt  138 , the detected weight of the item (as detected by the security scale  164 ) may be compared to a known weight value of the item that is stored in a database in order to confirm that a different, more expensive item was not substituted for the scanned item. It should be appreciated that the database may be in the form of a master database which includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a “transaction level” database which is constructed locally at the checkout system during operation thereof.  
     [0079] It should be appreciated that a number of security schemes utilizing the security scale  164  may be employed during operation of the checkout system. Examples of security schemes utilizing a security scale that is somewhat similar to the security scale  164  in a self-service checkout system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,642 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Substitutions During Entry of an Item into a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Sep. 14, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,128 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Detecting Item Placement and Item Removal During Operation of A Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Jim Morrison and Dusty Lutz, which was issued on Feb. 29, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,264 entitled “Method of Monitoring Item Shuffling in a Post-Scan Area of a Self-Service Checkout Terminal” by Dusty Lutz, Chris Malchak, Tim Mason, Ali Vassigh, which was issued on Oct. 19, 1999. The disclosures of the above-identified issued patents are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, and are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.  
     [0080] The take-away belt module cabinet  148  substantially surrounds and encases the components of the take-away belt module  36 . A back wall  168  (FIG. 7) of the cabinet  148  includes a knockout or throughhole  170  through which cabling to the pedestal  32  can be routed.  
     [0081] The base extension  149  supports a portion of the take-away belt module  36  that is not supported by the base  34 . When the take-away belt module  36  is assembled with the set  16  of main units, the base extension  149  abuts the base  34  to provide seamless support for the take-away belt module  36 .  
     [0082] The large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40  are provided to accommodate one or more grocery containers such as the grocery bags  46 . In particular, the large bagwell  38  is configured to allow three of the grocery bags  46  to be accessed by the customer at any given time thereby allowing a customer to selectively load various item types into the grocery bags during operation of the checkout system. For example, during a self-service checkout transaction, the customer may desire to use a first grocery bag for household chemical items such as soap or bleach, a second grocery bag for refrigerated edible items such as meat and dairy items, and a third grocery bag for non-refrigerated edible items such as canned goods in order to keep the three types of items separate. In addition to the bagging areas, the large bagwell  38  includes an end area  172  for receiving items that are too bulky or heavy to be bagged, such as a case of beer.  
     [0083] The large bagwell  38  includes a large bagwell cabinet  174  substantially surrounding and encasing the large bagwell  38 , and a bumper  175  mounted on the cabinet  174 . The large bagwell cabinet  174  includes a back wall  176  having a knockout or throughhole  178  through which cabling to the pedestal  32  can be routed.  
     [0084] The large bagwell  38  also includes a base extension  179  supporting a portion of the large bagwell  38  that is not supported by the base  34 . When the large bagwell  38  is assembled with the set  16  of main units, the base extension  179  abuts the base  34  to provide seamless support for the large bagwell  38 .  
     [0085] The small bagwell  40  is configured to allow two of the grocery bags  46  to be accessed by the customer at any given time thereby allowing a customer to selectively load various item types into the grocery bags during operation of the checkout system. For example, during a self-service checkout transaction, the customer may desire to use a first grocery bag for household chemical items such as soap or bleach, and a second grocery bag for edible items such as meat and produce in order to keep the two types of items separate.  
     [0086] The small bagwell  40  includes a small bagwell cabinet  180  substantially surrounding and encasing the small bagwell  40 , and a bumper  181  mounted on the cabinet  180 . The small bagwell cabinet  180  includes a back wall  182  having a knockout or throughhole  184  through which cabling to the pedestal  32  can be routed. Such a two-bag configuration of the small bagwell  40  is particularly useful when the checkout system is being operated to perform an “express” checkout transaction in which the total number of items for purchase in the transaction is relatively small and can therefore be bagged in a small number of grocery bags.  
     [0087] The large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40  do not include a security deactivation device, such as the security deactivation device  166  of the take-away belt module  36 . Thus, in configurations of the checkout system that include either the large bagwell  38  or the small bagwell  40 , a security deactivation module  186  (see FIG. 3) may be included. The security deactivation module  186  includes a security deactivation device  188  (FIG. 8) and a security deactivation cabinet  190  that supports and encases the security deactivation device  188 . The security deactivation cabinet  190  is attached to the core module cabinet  76  and includes a side wall  192  having a throughhole or knockout  194   b  through which cabling can be routed to the knockout  83   b  of the core module cabinet  76 .  
     [0088] The security deactivation device  188  of the present invention generates such a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of the checkout system so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase as the items are scanned with the scanner  68 . In particular, the security deactivation device  188  generates a deactivation field (e.g., a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) proximate to a scanner detection zone associated with the scanner  68 . What is meant herein by the term “scanner detection zone” is the area proximate the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b  of the scanner  68  which defines the maximum range in which an item can be successfully scanned as it is passed across the scanner  68 . Security deactivation devices which are suitable for use as the security deactivation device  188  of the present invention are commercially available from Checkpoint Systems, Incorporated of Thorofare, N.J. (in the case of an RF field generator) and Sensormatic Electronics Corporation of Boca Raton, Fla. (in the case of a magnetic field generator).  
     [0089] By generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone, a scanning motion utilized to scan an item with the scanner  68  causes the item to be advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item in the same scanning motion. In particular, by “automatically” deactivating the electronic security tag when the item is being scanned by a customer (i.e., deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which of the customer&#39;s items contain electronic security tags that need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic security tags associated with the customer&#39;s items for purchase. It should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds cost to the retailer&#39;s operation (e.g., the cost associated with staffing the centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailer&#39;s store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue is present at the centralized area.  
     [0090] Utilization of the security deactivation device  188  of the present invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of items into the checkout system by the customer. In particular, utilization of the security deactivation device  188  eliminates the need for the retail clerk to intervene into the customer&#39;s transaction thereby reducing labor costs associated with the retailer&#39;s operation, along with increasing convenience to the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a separate deactivation device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during operation of the checkout system.  
     [0091] It should be appreciated that the security deactivation device  188  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g., the magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field once the product code associated with the item has been captured by the scanner  68 . In particular, under the premise that if the customer is making an attempt to scan the item, the customer is likely not trying to commit an impropriety such as theft, the security deactivation device  188  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the electronic security tag is deactivated irrespective of whether or not the product code associated with the item is actually captured with the scanner  68 . For example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner  68  (by advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code associated with the item facing one of the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b ), but the product code is not captured by the scanner  68  for any reason, the security deactivation device  188 , if configured to continuously produce the deactivation field, causes the electronic security tag to be deactivated even though the item was not actually entered in the checkout system. However, in the case of operation of the checkout system by an honest customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g., by re-scanning the item or manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item since the customer is not generally made aware of the fact that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.  
     [0092] However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security tag is prematurely deactivated without the item being subsequently entered in the checkout system, the security deactivation device  188  may be configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code associated with the item has been entered into the checkout system. In particular, a control signal is generated when a product code associated with an item is captured by the scanner  68 . In response to generation of such a control signal, the security deactivation device  188  may be instantaneously actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field generated by the security deactivation device  188  may be configured to ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a scanning motion or subsequent handling motion (e.g., the motion associated with placement of the item onto the large bagwell  38  or the small bagwell  40 ).  
     [0093] As discussed above, the checkout system may be configured in any of nine different configurations. More particularly, the checkout system may include any one of the three input units from the terminal configuration kit  10  (i.e., the side bumper  20 , the input belt module  22  and the basket shelf  24 ), and, for each of these three input units, any one of the three output units (i.e., the take-away belt module  36 , the large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40 ) from the terminal configuration kit  10  may be included. Further, for any configuration including the large bagwell  38  or the small bagwell  40 , the security deactivation module  186  may or may not be included.  
     [0094] Each of the side bumper  20 , the input belt module  22  and the basket shelf  24  can be attached to the side surface  48   a  of the core module cabinet  76  by screws, nuts and bolts, or by any other suitable non-permanent means. Similarly, each of the upper currency module  30 , the pedestal  32 , and the side surface of one of the output units (i.e., the take-away belt module  36 , the large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40 ) can be attached to the side surface  48   b  of the core module cabinet  76  by screws, nuts and bolts, or by any other suitable non-permanent means.  
     [0095] The base  34  can be attached to the bottom surface of the core module cabinet  76 , the bottom wall  128  of the pedestal cabinet  112 , and the bottom surface of one of the output units (i.e., the take-away belt module  36 , the large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40 ) via nuts and bolts or via any other suitable non-permanent means.  
     [0096] The core module  26 , the upper currency module  30 , the pedestal  32 , the base  34  and one of the output units (i.e., the take-away belt module  36 , the large bagwell  38  and the small bagwell  40 ) are attached together such that their knockouts or throughholes are in alignment so that cabling can be easily routed therethrough even when adjacent ones of the components are abutting each other. More particularly, when a terminal is assembled from the terminal configuration kit  10 , the throughhole  82   b  of the core module cabinet  76  is aligned with the throughhole  122   a  of the pedestal  32 ; the throughhole  116   a  of the pedestal cabinet  112  is aligned with the throughhole  106  of the currency module cabinet  98 ; the throughhole  116   b  of the pedestal cabinet  112  is aligned with the throughhole  108  of the currency module cabinet  98 ; and the throughhole  130  of the pedestal cabinet  112  is aligned with the throughhole  136  in the base  34 . Moreover, if the security deactivation module  186  is included, the throughhole  83   b  of the core module cabinet  76  is aligned with the throughhole  194   b  of the security deactivation cabinet  190 . Further, the throughhole  126  of the pedestal cabinet  112  is aligned with one of the throughhole  170  of the take-away belt module cabinet  148 , the throughhole  178  of the large bagwell cabinet  174 , and the throughhole  184  of the small bagwell cabinet  180 .  
     [0097] An assembled checkout terminal, such as the checkout terminal  12  (see FIG. 2) for example, includes a pre-scan area  196  defined by one of the set  14  of input units; an itemization area  198  defined by the core module  26 ; a payment area  84  defined by upper currency module  30 ; and a post-scan area  200  defined by one of the set  18  of output units. In particular, an item enters at the area proximate the pre-scan area  196  then flows in a downstream direction to be scanned or otherwise entered at the itemization area  198 . Once the item is scanned or otherwise entered at the itemization area  198 , the item flows from the itemization area  198  in a downstream direction to the post-scan area  200 .  
     [0098] Of the nine possible combinations from the set  14  of input units and the set  18  of output units (i.e., the three different possible output units  36 ,  38 ,  40  for each of the three inputs units  20 ,  22 ,  24 ), only the combination represented by the checkout terminal  12  of FIG. 2 will be described herein in detail in order to avoid excessive repetition. However, it is to be understood that the description of the structure, operation and advantages of the checkout terminal  12  as stated herein can, where applicable, also be extended to each of the other eight possible combinations of the components of the terminal configuration kit  10 , such as, for example, the checkout terminal  44  of FIG. 3.  
     [0099] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a simplified block diagram of the checkout system  12  of FIG. 2. In addition to the display monitor  66   a , the processing unit  66   b  of the interactive customer interface terminal  66  is electrically coupled to the scanner  68 , the product scale  70 , the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill acceptor  90 , the coin dispenser  92 , the bill dispenser  72 , the receipt printer  110 , the security scale  164 , the status tri-light device  78 , and the security deactivation device  166 . The processing unit  66   b  is also electrically coupled to a signature capture device  202  and a lane light  204 .  
     [0100] The processing unit  66   b  monitors output signals generated by the assembly of the scanner  68  and the product scale  70  via a serial data communication line  206  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). In particular, when the customer scans an item which includes a product identification code across the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b , an output signal indicative of the product identification code is generated on the data communication line  206 . Similarly, when a customer places an item on the product scale  70 , the product scale  70  generates an output signal on the data communication line  206  which is indicative of the weight of the item.  
     [0101] The processing unit  66   b  communicates with the bill dispenser  72  via a serial data communication line  216  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). In particular, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the bill dispenser  72  in order to dispense change in the form of bills to a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer is owed change in the form of bills during finalization of a checkout transaction, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal indicative of the amount of change in the form of bills that is owed the customer. Such an output signal is communicated to the bill dispenser  72  thereby causing the bill dispenser  72  to dispense the correct amount of change in the form of bills to the customer.  
     [0102] The checkout system  12  also includes a number of port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212 . The port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  may be any known port expander device which enables a number of communication lines (e.g., data cables) to be connected to a single port of a controller (e.g., the connector ports associated with the interactive customer interface terminal  66 ). Moreover, the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  of the present invention preferably allow more than one interface type. For example, the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  of the present invention are preferably coupled to the processing unit  66   b  of the interactive customer interface terminal  66  via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, but are coupled to certain retail peripheral devices (e.g., the electronic payment terminal  86 , or the security scale  164 ) via an RS-232 serial interface. Such a configuration is particularly useful since commercially available retail devices are typically configured to communicate with a controller via an RS-232 serial interface thereby allowing the checkout system  12  to be configured with “industry standard” retail peripheral devices as opposed to more expensive, proprietary devices. It should be appreciated that in addition to USB/RS-232 port expander devices, other types of port expander devices may also be utilized in the present invention. For example, port expander devices which are coupled to the processing unit  66   b  via an Ethernet interface (i.e., an Ethernet/RS-232 port expander device) may also be utilized in the present invention.  
     [0103] As utilized in construction of the checkout system  12 , the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  facilitate the coupling of a number of retail peripheral devices associated with the system  12  to the processing unit  66   b  of the interactive customer interface terminal  66 . In particular, a USB port  210   a  of the port expander device  210  is coupled to a USB data port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b  via a USB communication line  214  (e.g., a USB data cable).  
     [0104] A serial port  110   a  of the receipt printer  110  is coupled to a serial port  210   b  of the port expander device  210  via a serial communication line  218  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the receipt printer  110  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  214 , the port expander device  210 , and the serial communication line  218 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the receipt printer  110  in order to generate transaction receipts at the completion of a checkout transaction. The receipt printer  110  may be embodied as any type of ink-jet, laser, dot-matrix, LED, or thermal printer which is capable of printing alphanumeric characters associated with transaction information on a transaction receipt.  
     [0105] Similarly to the port expander device  210 , the port expander device  212  is utilized to facilitate communication and control between the processing unit  66   b  and a number of retail peripheral devices. In particular, a USB port  212   a  of the port expander device  212  is coupled to the USB data port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b  via a USB communication line  224  (e.g., a USB data cable).  
     [0106] A serial port  164   a  of the security scale  164  is coupled to a first serial port  212   b  of the port expander device  212  via a serial communication line  220  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the security scale  164  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  224 , the port expander device  212 , and the serial communication line  220 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the security scale  164  in order to (1) monitor the placement of items onto, or the removal of items off of, the first take-away belt  138 . In particular, when an item is placed onto the first take-away belt  138 , the security scale  164  generates an output signal indicative of the weight of the item which is communicated to the processing unit  66   b . Similarly, when an item is removed from the first take-away belt  138 , the security scale  164  generates an output signal indicative of the weight of the removed item which is communicated to the processing unit  66   b.    
     [0107] A serial port  166   a  of the security deactivation device  166  is coupled to a second serial port  212   c  of the port expander device  212  via a serial communication line  222  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with and controls the security deactivation device  166  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  224 , the port expander device  212 , and the serial communication line  222 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the security deactivation device  166  in order to generate a deactivation field (e.g., a magnetic or electromagnetic field) which deactivates electronic security tags associated with an EAS system. As described above, the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to continuously generate a deactivation field, or alternatively, the processing unit  66   b  may communicate with the security deactivation device  166  to selectively generate the deactivation field in response to capture of the product code associated with an item being scanned or otherwise entered into the checkout system  12 .  
     [0108] Similarly to the port expander devices  210 ,  212 , the port expander device  208  is utilized to facilitate communication between the processing unit  66   b  and a number of retail peripheral devices. In particular, a USB port  208   a  of the port expander device  208  is coupled to the USB data port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b  via a USB communication line  238  (e.g., a USB data cable).  
     [0109] A serial port  92   a  of the coin dispenser  92  is coupled to a first serial port  208   b  of the port expander device  208  via a serial communication line  230  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coin dispenser  92  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  238 , the port expander device  208 , and the serial communication line  230 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coin dispenser  92  in order to dispense change in the form of coins to a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer is owed change in the form of coins during finalization of a checkout transaction, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal indicative of the amount of change in the form of coins that is owed the customer. Such an output signal is communicated to the coin dispenser  92  thereby causing the coin dispenser  92  to dispense the correct amount of change in the form of coins to the customer.  
     [0110] A serial port  88   a  of the coin acceptor  88  is coupled to a second serial port  208   c  of the port expander device  208  via a serial communication line  232  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coin acceptor  88  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  238 , the port expander device  208 , and the serial communication line  232 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coin acceptor  88  in order to accept coins from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts coins into the coin acceptor  88  during finalization of a checkout transaction, the coin acceptor  88  generates an output signal indicative of the value of each coin which is inserted into the coin acceptor  88 . Such an output signal is communicated to the processing unit  66   b  in order to determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of currency to tender payment for his or her items for purchase.  
     [0111] A serial port  90   a  of the bill acceptor  90  is coupled to a third serial port  208   d  of the port expander device  208  via a serial communication line  236  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the bill acceptor  90  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  238 , the port expander device  208 , and the serial communication line  236 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the bill acceptor  90  in order to accept bills from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts bills into the bill acceptor  90  during finalization of a checkout transaction, the bill acceptor  90  generates an output signal indicative of the value of each bill that is inserted into the bill acceptor  90 . Such an output signal is communicated to the processing unit  66   b  in order to determine if the customer has inserted the requisite amount of currency to tender payment for his or her items for purchase.  
     [0112] A serial port  94   a  of the coupon acceptor  94  is coupled to a fourth serial port  208   e  of the port expander device  208  via a serial communication line  280  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coupon acceptor  94  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  238 , the port expander device  208 , and the serial communication line  280 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the coupon acceptor  94  in order to accept coupons from a customer during finalization of a checkout transaction. In particular, when a customer inserts coupons into the coupon acceptor  94  during finalization of a checkout transaction, the coupon acceptor  94  generates an output signal indicative of the presence of the tendered coupon. Such an output signal is communicated to the processing unit  66   b  in order to confirm that the coupon has been tendered. It should be appreciated that the coupon acceptor  94  may be equipped with a bar code reader or the like to capture machine readable indicia that is printed on certain coupons.  
     [0113] A serial port  86   a  of the electronic payment terminal  86  is coupled to a fifth serial port  208   f  of the port expander device  208  via a serial communication line  234  (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the electronic payment terminal  86  via a data path that includes the USB communication line  238 , the port expander device  208 , and the serial communication line  234 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the electronic payment terminal  86  in order to allow a customer to electronically tender payment for his or her items for purchase via, for example, a debit, credit, or smart card. In particular, as described above, the electronic payment terminal  86  includes a card reader and an input device such as a touch pad. The touch pad associated with the electronic payment terminal  86  may include one or more of a known touch pad or a keypad, whereas the card reader may include a known credit, debit, loyalty, and/or smart card reader which is capable of reading information stored on the customer&#39;s card. Hence, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the electronic payment terminal  86  in order to receive data read from the customer&#39;s card or codes such as PIN numbers which are input by the customer via use of the touch pad.  
     [0114] The electronic payment terminal  86  may include a signature capture device (not shown) in order to create an electronic record of a customer&#39;s signature during a credit transaction. In particular, the signature capture device may include any known signature capture device which is capable of generating an electronic representation of a customer&#39;s signature when the customer signs his or her name with a pen, stylus, or other writing instrument associated with the signature capture device. Capturing a customer&#39;s signature with a signature capture device generally causes the retailer to be charged a smaller transaction fee for the credit card transaction from the bank or other financial institution which issued the customer&#39;s card. Such lower transaction fees are particularly beneficial in the retail grocery business due to the relatively small profit margins associated with such a business.  
     [0115] It should be appreciated that use of the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  provides the checkout system  12  of the present invention with numerous advantages over heretofore checkout systems. For example, use of the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  allows the processing unit  66   b  associated with the interactive customer interface terminal  66  to be configured with a relatively small number of output connectors. For example, if not for use of the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212 , a connector would have to be provided on the processing unit  66   b  for each of the components which are coupled to the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  in FIG. 9 in order to couple the components directly to the output connectors of the processing unit  66   b . Such a requirement for additional connector/port capacity would undesirably increase the size and cost of the interactive customer interface terminal  66 .  
     [0116] In addition to reducing the number of output connectors that must be provided on the processing unit  66   b , use of the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  also simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable management of the checkout system  12 . In particular, the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  are coupled, thereby reducing the distance across which the individual serial cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount the port expander device  208 ,  210 ,  212  within the same module cabinet  98 ,  112 ,  148  in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  are disposed.  
     [0117] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the port expander device  208  is secured within the currency module cabinet  98  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill acceptor  90 , the coin dispenser  92 , and the coupon acceptor  94 . In such a configuration, the serial cables respectively associated with each of the devices  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94  (i.e., the serial communication lines  234 ,  232 ,  236 ,  230 ,  280 , respectively) are completely contained within the currency module cabinet  98 . What is meant herein by the term “completely contained” in regard to cables is that the entire cable is positioned within a structure (e.g., one of the module cabinets  98 ,  112 ,  148 ) such that no portion of cable extends out of the structure. Hence, in regard to the port expander device  208 , only the USB cable (i.e., the USB communication line  238 ) must be routed outside of the currency module cabinet  98 . In particular, a first end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  238  is secured to the USB port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b , whereas a second end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  238  is secured to the USB port  208   a  of the port expander device  208 . Hence, a central portion of the cable associated with the USB communication line  238  is routed or otherwise extends between the core module cabinet  76  and the currency module cabinet  98 . However, the USB cable associated with the USB communication line  238  is the only communication cable associated with the devices  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94  that extends out of the currency module cabinet  98 .  
     [0118] Similarly to the port expander device  208 , the port expander device  210  is secured within the pedestal cabinet  112  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the receipt printer  110 . In such a configuration, the serial cable associated with the printer  110  (i.e., the serial communication line  218 ) is completely contained within the pedestal cabinet  112 . Hence, in regard to the port expander device  210 , only the USB cable (i.e., the USB communication line  214 ) must be routed outside of the pedestal cabinet  112 . In particular, a first end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  214  is secured to the USB port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b , whereas a second end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  214  is secured to the USB port  210   a  of the port expander device  210 . Hence, a central portion of the cable associated with the USB communication line  214  is routed or otherwise extends between the core module cabinet  76  and the pedestal cabinet  112 . However, the USB cable associated with the USB communication line  214  is the only communication cable associated with the receipt printer  110  that extends out of the pedestal cabinet  112 .  
     [0119] Similarly to the port expander devices  208 ,  210 , the port expander device  212  is secured within the take-away belt module cabinet  148  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the security scale  164  and the security deactivation device  166 . In such a configuration, the serial cables associated with the security scale  164  and the security deactivation device (i.e., the serial communication lines  220  and  222 , respectively) are completely contained within the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . Hence, in regard to the port expander device  212 , only the USB cable (i.e., the USB communication line  224 ) must be routed outside of the takeaway belt module cabinet  148 . In particular, a first end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  224  is secured to the USB port  66   e  of the processing unit  66   b , whereas a second end connector of the cable associated with the USB communication line  224  is secured to the USB port  212   a  of the port expander device  212 . Hence, a central portion of the cable associated with the USB communication line  224  is routed or otherwise extends between the core module cabinet  76  and the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . However, the USB cable associated with the USB communication line  224  is the only cable associated with the security scale  164  and the security deactivation device  166  that extends out of the take-away belt module cabinet  148 .  
     [0120] It is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention for any of the devices that are connected to the processing unit  66   b  through one of USB port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  to instead be directly connected to the processing unit  66   b  through a serial data communication line (e.g., an RS-232 serial data cable). For example, any one of or each of the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill acceptor  90 , the coin dispenser  92  and the coupon acceptor  94  of the upper currency module  30  could be individually and directly connected to the processing unit  66   b  without the use of the intervening USB port expander device  208 . However, if it is desired to replace the upper currency module  30  with another version of the upper currency module (such as, e.g., an upgraded version or a right-hand version in place of a left-hand version), it would then be necessary to individually disconnect the old version and individually reconnect the new version of each of the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill acceptor  90 , the coin dispenser  92  and the coupon acceptor  94 . In contrast, by use of the USB port expander device  208 , it would only be necessary to disconnect and reconnect one connection (i.e., at the USB port  208   a ) when replacing the upper currency module  30  with another version thereof. The processing unit  66   b  of the interactive customer interface terminal  66  also controls operation of a number of components associated with the checkout system  12  which are not controlled via use of a standard communication protocol (e.g., RS-232). In particular, a number of components associated with the checkout system  12  are “on-off” devices such as the lane light  204 , the lamp assembly  78   a  associated with the status tri-light device  78 , and the motors  226  associated with the take-away belts  138 ,  140 . The core module  26  further includes an interface unit  240  for interfacing with such devices. In particular, the interface unit  240  interfaces with the take-away belt motors  226 , the lamp assembly  78   a  of the status light device  78 , and the lane light  204 . As shown in FIG. 9, the interface unit  240  is coupled to a serial port associated with the processing unit  66   b  via a serial communication line  242  (e.g., a serial cable).  
     [0121] The take-away belt motors  226  are coupled to the interface unit  140  via a control line  276 . Hence, the processing unit  66   b  controls operation of the take-away belt motors  226  via a data path that includes the serial communication line  242 , the interface unit  240 , and the control line  276 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  controls actuation of the motors  226  so as to control advancement of the take-away belts  138 ,  140 . In particular, as described above, the takeaway belt motors  226  may be actuated in order to advance items which have been scanned or otherwise entered from the itemization area  198  to the bagging counter  144 .  
     [0122] The lamp assembly  78   a  of the status light device  78  is coupled to the interface unit  240  via a control line  246 . Hence, the processing unit  66   b  controls operation of the lamp assembly  78   a  via a data path that includes the serial communication line  242 , the interface unit  240 , and the control line  246 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  controls actuation of the lamps associated with the lamp assembly  78   a . In particular, as described above, the lamp assembly  78   a  is utilized to summon retail personnel to the checkout system  12  in order to provide assistance and/or security during operation of the system  12 . Accordingly, the processing unit  66  may cause a red lamp associated with the lamp assembly  78   a  to be illuminated when intervention by retail personnel is needed immediately, whereas a yellow lamp may be illuminated when intervention is not needed until the end of the customer&#39;s transaction. Similarly, a green lamp may be illuminated when the checkout system  12  is being operated properly without the need for intervention by retail personnel.  
     [0123] The lane light  204  is coupled to the interface unit  240  via a control line  252 . Hence, the processing unit  66   b  controls operation of the lane light  204  via a data path that includes the serial communication line  242 , the interface unit  240 , and the control line  252 . In such a manner, the processing unit  66   b  controls actuation of the lamps associated with the lane light  204 . The lane light  204  is utilized to communicate the lane number associated with a given checkout system  12  to retail personnel or customers. In particular, when a particular lamp associated with the lane light  204  is illuminated, the lane number associated with the given checkout system  12  is displayed. Such illumination also communicates that the checkout system  12  is “open” (i.e., available for use by the customer).  
     [0124] The processing unit  66   b  communicates with the display monitor  66   a  associated with the interactive customer interface terminal  66  through an internal data bus  258 . The processing unit  66   b  generates output signals on the data bus  258  which cause various messages such as transaction information, instructions, or advertisements to be displayed on the display monitor  66   a . As alluded to above, the display monitor  66   a  may include known touch screen technology which can generate output signals when the customer touches a particular area of the display screen associated with the display monitor  66   a . The signals generated by the display monitor  66   a  are transmitted to the processing unit  66   b  via the data bus  258 .  
     [0125] The processing unit  66   b  includes network interface circuitry (not shown) which conventionally permits the checkout system  12  to communicate with the retailer&#39;s network  284  such as a LAN or WAN through a wired connection  282  (see FIG. 9). The processing unit  66   b  communicates with the retailer&#39;s network  284  during the checkout procedure in order to obtain information, such as pricing information, associated with an item being scanned or otherwise entered, and also to verify customer credit approval when appropriate. The network interface circuitry associated with the checkout system  12  may include a known Ethernet expansion card, and the wired connection  282  may include a known twisted-pair communication line. Alternatively, the network interface circuitry may support wireless communications with the retailer&#39;s network  284 .  
     [0126] The processing unit  66   b  also communicates with the retailer&#39;s network  284  in order to access a customer profile database maintained in a network memory device such as a network mass storage device (not shown) associated with a network central server (not shown). The customer profile database includes unique, customer-specific retail information associated with each of the retailer&#39;s customers. For example, when a customer initially applies or otherwise registers for his or her loyalty card, customer-specific retail information such as name, address, gender, age, account numbers, or other demographic information is generally collected on the customer&#39;s application. Such customer-specific retail information is included in the customer&#39;s profile within the customer profile database. Moreover, the customer&#39;s profile within the customer profile database may also include customer-specific retail information such as the customer&#39;s shopping or purchasing history. For example, a record of the items purchased during recent visits to the retailer&#39;s store may be included in the customer&#39;s profile. Moreover, a record may also be made in the customer&#39;s profile if the customer redeems a certain type of voucher or coupons or responds to a certain type of promotion.  
     [0127] As discussed above, contents of the customer profile database are utilized in order to generate customer-specific messages to the customer during a checkout transaction. In particular, transaction information such as item price and total dollar amount are displayed on the display monitor  66   a . In addition to such transaction information, customer-specific advertisements may be displayed on a portion of the display monitor  66   a  in order to influence the customer to buy additional items. For example, the customer profile associated with a given customer may be initially retrieved from the customer profile database. Thereafter, the processing unit  66   b  causes customer-specific advertisements to be displayed on the display monitor  66   b  based on the contents of the customer&#39;s profile. For example, if the customer profile of a given customer indicates that the customer buys a certain type of beer during each of his or her visits to the retailer&#39;s store, the processing unit  66   b  may cause an advertisement for the certain type of beer to be displayed on the display monitor  66   b  in order to entice the customer to buy beer if it has not yet been entered into the checkout system  12 . It should be appreciated that any type of criteria may be established to fit the needs of given retailer in regard to analyzing the contents of the customer profile database for the purposes of selecting an appropriate customer-specific advertisement message.  
     [0128] As discussed above, the processing unit  66   b  preferably includes a number of local memory devices such as the memory modules  66   d  (see FIG. 9) and a hard drive. The local memory devices are provided to maintain the operating system software needed to operate the checkout system  12 . In addition, the local memory devices are provided to maintain an electronic transaction table which includes a record of the product information associated with each item that is scanned, weighed, or otherwise entered during the user&#39;s operation of the checkout system  12 . For example, if the user scans a can of soup, the description of the soup and the pricing information associated therewith is recorded in the transaction table in the local memory devices. Similarly, if the user weighs a watermelon with the product scale  70  and then enters a product lookup code associated with watermelon via a data input device such as the terminal  66 , product information associated with the watermelon is recorded in the transaction table. Moreover, if a user entered a coupon or voucher, the information associated therewith would also be recorded in the transaction table.  
     [0129] It should therefore be appreciated that the sum of each of the items recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g., coupons), and (2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table is printed out on the receipt printer  110  thereby generating a receipt for the customer at the end of his or her transaction.  
     [0130] The local memory devices are also provided to maintain a number of electronic logs associated with operation of the checkout system  12 . More specifically, the local memory devices electronically maintain a number of event logs each of which respectively tracks or otherwise tallies the number of occasions in which the user operates the checkout system  12  in a particular manner. An event log may be provided to track those occasions in which the user unintentionally operated the checkout system  12  improperly, along with those occasions in which it can be inferred with a high degree of confidence that the user intentionally operated the checkout system  12  improperly for illicit purposes such as theft. For example, if the processing unit  66   b  determines that the user placed an item in the post-scan area  200  without having previously scanned or otherwise entered the item into the system  12 , an entry is made in an event log corresponding to such activity. The unscanned item may have been placed in the post scan area  200  as a result of the user unintentionally operating the scanner  68  incorrectly, thereby preventing the scanner  68  from reading the bar code printed on the item. However, the possibility does exist that the user may have intentionally prevented the scanner  68  from reading the bar code printed on the item (e.g., the user may have placed his or her thumb over the bar code during the scanning attempt). Therefore, an entry is made in an event log corresponding to such activity (i.e., placing an item in the post-scan area  200  without having first entered the item into the system  12 ).  
     [0131] Moreover, a separate event log may be maintained to track those occasions in which a user does not properly correct a prior misuse of the system  12 . For example, if the processing unit  66   b  determines that the user placed an item into the post-scan area  200  without having previously scanned or otherwise entered the item into the system  12  in the manner discussed above, the processing unit  66   b  causes a message to be displayed on the display monitor  66   a  of the interactive customer interface terminal  66  which instructs the user to remove the item from the post-scan area  200  and thereafter properly enter the item. A separate event log is maintained in order to track the number of occasions in which the user does not follow such instruction or performs an additional improper operation. For example, if subsequent to such instruction the user removes a different item, or no item at all, from the post-scan area  200 , an entry is made into the event log associated with such activity.  
     [0132] Additional examples of event logs which may be maintained include an event log which tracks the number of occasions in which the user weighs an item, such as produce, with the product scale  70 , but then places an item of a different weight in the post-scan area  200 . Moreover, a separate event log may be provided to track the number of occasions in which a user voids a first item from a transaction, but then removes a second item of lesser value from the post-scan area  200 . A separate event log may be maintained to track the dollar amount of the coupons which are entered by a given user. Yet further, a separate event log may be provided to track the amount of time which elapses from the point in time at which the customer removes his or her items from the post-scan area  200  until the point in time at which the customer tenders payment for his or her items.  
     [0133] Moreover, the local memory devices maintain an electronic aggregate log. The aggregate log tracks the total of each of the various event logs. It should be appreciated that such an aggregate log is particularly useful for monitoring a user&#39;s “overall” operation of the checkout system  12 . In particular, while the occurrence of certain individual activities by a given user may not separately rise to a level of concern, the aggregate of such activities may be of concern to the retailer.  
     [0134] It should be appreciated that a separate, predetermined threshold value may be established for each of the numerous event logs and also the aggregate log. More specifically, a retailer may establish a threshold value for each of the logs that once equaled or exceeded causes the processing unit  66   b  to communicate with certain system components in order to request intervention by retail personnel. In particular, when a threshold value associated with one of the event logs or the aggregate log is equaled or exceeded, the processing unit  66   b  may alert retail personnel as to certain events surrounding the operation of the checkout system  12  by a given user. After being alerted in such a manner, retail personnel will typically intervene into the transaction in order to either assist the user (in the case of inadvertent misuse of the system  12 ) or audit and/or discontinue the transaction (in the case of intentional misuse or theft). It should be appreciated that the processing unit  66   b  may also communicate with retail personnel via the status tri-light device  78 .  
     [0135] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown the power distribution scheme of the checkout system  12 . Power is distributed from a wall outlet  286  to the system components associated with the checkout system  12  by use of a number of power strips  288 . In particular, each of the power strips  288  is coupled to the wall outlet  286  via an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)  296 , whereas each of the system components is electrically coupled to the power strips  288 .  
     [0136] Use of the power strips  288  simplifies or otherwise enhances the cable management of the checkout system  12 . In particular, the power strips  288  are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the power strips  288  are respectively coupled thereby reducing the distance across which the individual power cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, each one of the power strips  288  is mounted within the same module cabinet  76 ,  98 ,  148  which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the particular power strip  288  are disposed in or attached to. The exception to this is the receipt printer  110  which is disposed within the pedestal cabinet  112  but is connected to the power strip  288  in the core module cabinet  76 . Since the receipt printer  110  is the only power-drawing device within the pedestal cabinet  112 , a separate power strip  288  is not provided for the pedestal cabinet  112 . However, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide each module cabinet of the system, including the pedestal cabinet  112 , with a respective power strip  288 .  
     [0137] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, one of the power strips  288  is secured within the currency module cabinet  98  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin dispenser  92 , the coin acceptor  88 , the coupon acceptor  94 , and the bill acceptor  90 . In such a configuration, the power cables  290  respectively associated with each of the devices  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94  are completely contained within the currency module cabinet  98 . Hence, in regard to the power strip  288  located in the terminal cabinet  98 , only the power cable  294  which couples the power strip  288  located in the currency module cabinet  98  to the UPS  296  must be routed outside of the currency module cabinet  98 .  
     [0138] Similarly to the power strip  288  within the currency module cabinet  98 , one of the power strips  288  is secured within the core module cabinet  76  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the scanner  68 , the product scale  70 , the bill dispenser  72 , and the interface unit  240 , all of which are disposed within the core module cabinet  76 . Moreover, the power strip  288  secured within the core module cabinet  76  is also located in relatively close proximity to the customer interface terminal  66  attached to the core module cabinet  76 , and, as discussed above, the receipt printer  110  disposed in the pedestal cabinet  112 . In such a configuration, the power cables  290  respectively associated with each of the devices  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  240  are completely contained within the core module cabinet  76 . Moreover, since the UPS  296  is located within the core module cabinet  76 , the power cable  294  that couples the power strip  288  located in the core module cabinet  76  to the UPS  296  is also completely contained within the core module cabinet  76 . Hence, in regard to the power strip  288  located in the core module cabinet  76 , the only power cable which must be routed outside of the core module cabinet  76  is the power cable  290  that couples the power strip  288  located in the core module cabinet  76  to the receipt printer  110  located in the pedestal cabinet  112 .  
     [0139] Similarly to the power strips  288  within the core module cabinet  76  and the currency module cabinet  98 , one of the power strips  288  is secured within the take-away belt module cabinet  148  so as to be located in relatively close proximity to the security scale  164 , the security deactivation device  166 , and the take-away belt motors  226  disposed within the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . In such a configuration, the power cables  290  respectively associated with each of the devices  164 ,  166 ,  226  are completely contained within the take-away belt module cabinet  148 . Hence, in regard to the power strip  288  located in the takeaway belt module cabinet  148 , only the power cable  294  which couples the power strip  288  located in the take-away belt module cabinet  148  to the UPS  296  must be routed outside of the take-away belt module cabinet  148 .  
     [0140] Moreover, the power strips  288  include a number of female power connectors  288   a  which are configured to receive a corresponding male connector  290   a  associated with a first end of a peripheral power cable  290 . A second end of the peripheral power cable  290  includes a female connector  290   b  which is configured to be received into a male power connector  292  associated with each of the system components such as the interactive customer interface terminal  66 , the interface unit  240 , the assembly of the scanner  68  and the product scale  70 , the receipt printer  110 , the electronic payment terminal  86 , the security scale  164 , the security deactivation device  166 , the take-away belt motors  226 , the coin dispenser  92 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill dispenser  72 , the bill acceptor  90 , and the coupon acceptor  94 .  
     [0141] Each of the female connectors  288   a , the male connectors  290   a , the female connectors  290   b , and the male connectors  292  is configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors. What is meant herein by the term “accepted international standard for power connectors” is a power connector standard which is promulgated by an international standards organization for use in substantially all countries. One such accepted international standard for power connectors includes an IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors (including all variations and iterations thereof) which is promulgated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).  
     [0142] Similarly, each of the power strips  288  includes a number of male power connectors  288   b  which are configured to receive a corresponding female connector  294   a  associated with a first end of a UPS power cable  294 . A second end of the UPS power cable  294  includes a male connector  294   b  which is configured to be received into a female power connector  296   a  associated with the UPS  296 . The male power connectors  288   b , the female connectors  294   a , the male connectors  294   b , and the female power connectors  296   a  are each configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors such as the IEC  60320  international standard for power connectors.  
     [0143] Moreover, the UPS  296  includes a male power connector  296   b  which is configured to receive a corresponding female connector  298   a  associated with a first end of an outlet power cable  298 . A second end of the outlet power cable  298  includes a male connector  298   b  which is configured to be received into a power outlet such as the wall outlet  286 . The male power connector  296   b  and the female connector  298   a  are both configured in accordance with an accepted international standard for power connectors such as the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors. However, the male power connector  296   b  is configured in accordance with an accepted country-specific standard for power connectors. What is meant herein by the term “accepted country-specific standard for power connectors” is a power connector standard which is promulgated by a national standards organization or a de facto standard which is otherwise in use within a particular country which may or may not conform to an accepted international standard for power connectors. One such accepted country-specific standard for power connectors includes a standard promulgated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) for use in conjunction with the three-prong connector configuration widely utilized throughout the United States (e.g., NEMA 5-15P for plug connectors and NEMA 5-15R for the associated receptacle connectors).  
     [0144] Such use of power connectors which conform to the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors provides the checkout system  12  with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, use of power connectors which conform to the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors facilitates the importation process of the checkout system  12  into foreign countries. In particular, heretofore designed checkout systems utilize power strips and power cables which have numerous connectors which conform to an accepted country-specific standard for power connectors. For example, checkout systems designed and/or manufactured for use the United States typically have receptacles that have female connectors which conform to U.S. standards (e.g., an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard) for receiving a male connector associated with a power cord of a peripheral device which also conforms to U.S. standards (e.g., an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard). The female connector of the peripheral power cord (i.e., the connector secured to the end of the power cable which connects to the male connector of the peripheral device) may or may not be configured in accordance with an international standard for power connectors. For example, a number of peripheral devices include male power connectors which conform to the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors. Hence, the power cable associated with such a peripheral device typically has a female power connector which conforms to the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors for coupling with the male connector of the peripheral device at one end, and a standard U.S. male power connector (e.g., a male connector that conforms to an applicable ANSI and/or NEMA standard) on the other end for coupling with a standard U.S. outlet such as the standard U.S. female power connectors associated with a power receptacle.  
     [0145] However, when such use of standard U.S. power connectors is discovered by an inspection officer or the like during importation of the checkout system into a foreign country, the checkout system may be denied immediate entry into the foreign country. In particular, importation of the checkout system into the foreign country may be delayed until a certificate of conformance or the like is presented to the inspection officer. Such delays can often take weeks thereby significantly slowing the delivery process of the checkout system to a retailer located in a foreign country.  
     [0146] However, the checkout system  12  of the present invention avoids such delays. In particular, when the inspection officer inspects the checkout system  12  during importation thereof into a foreign country, all of the power connectors associated with the checkout system  12  conform to the IEC 60320 international standard for power connectors thereby eliminating the need for a certificate of conformance or other documentation in regard to the power distribution architecture of the system  12 .  
     [0147] Moreover, only the outlet power cable  298  needs to be swapped in order to operate the checkout system  12  in various foreign countries. In particular, a different outlet power cable  298  having a male connector  298   b  which is configured to be received into the country-specific wall outlet of each foreign country may be utilized to couple the UPS  296  (and hence the power strips  288 ) to the wall outlet  286 . In such a manner, power may be supplied to each of the system components associated with the checkout system. More specifically, each of the system components associated with the checkout system  12  includes an auto-ranging power supply (not shown) which is capable of converting a wide variety of AC input voltages into the regulated, predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system component. For example, the individual power supplies respectively associated with each of the system components are configured to convert input power provided in either a European standard (e.g., 240V AC at 50 Hz), a U.S. standard (e.g., 110V AC at 60 Hz), or any other standard into the regulated, predetermined DC voltage needed to operate the particular system component. Hence, by swapping the outlet power cable  298  to fit into the country-specific wall outlet  286  of a given foreign country, power may be supplied to the system components without the need to also change any of the internal cable connections (i.e., the power cables  290  and  294 ) or power supplies within the checkout system  12 .  
     [0148] It should be appreciated that the use of the power strips  288  and the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  provides for “modular construction” of the checkout system  12  by simplifying or otherwise enhancing the cable management of the checkout system  12 . In particular, the port expander device  208 ,  210 ,  212  and the power strips  288  are preferably located in relatively close proximity to the retail peripheral devices to which the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  and the power strips  288  are respectively coupled thereby reducing the distance across which the individual data and power cables associated with each peripheral device must be routed. For instance, it is preferable to mount one or more of the port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  and one or more of the power strips  288  within the same module cabinet  76 ,  98 ,  112 ,  148  in which the retail peripheral devices coupled to the particular port expander devices  208 ,  210 ,  212  or the particular power strips  288  are disposed.  
     [0149] In such a manner, as described above, each of the data and power cables associated with the retail peripheral devices are completely contained within the respective module cabinets  76 ,  98 ,  112 ,  148 . This allows the system configuration of the checkout system  12  to be quickly and easily changed to fit the needs of a given retailer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in certain retail applications it may be desirable to configure the checkout system  44  without the take-away belt module  36 . In such a configuration, a large bagwell  38  is utilized in lieu of the takeaway belt module  36 . Such a change in the configuration of the checkout system is relatively easy to perform since the take-away belt module cabinet  148  does not have data or power cables routed therethrough, except for the cables necessary for operation of the components associated with the take-away belt module cabinet  148  (e.g., the security scale  164 , the security deactivation device  166 , and the take-away belt motors  226 ).  
     [0150] It should be appreciated that other module cabinet substitutions may also be quickly and easily performed due to such modular construction of the checkout system. For example, if a certain retailer does not desire a basket shelf  24  as shown in the checkout terminal  12  of FIG. 2, the basket shelf  24  may be removed and replaced with an input belt module  22  as shown in the checkout terminal  44  of FIG. 3.  
     [0151] The input belt module  22  includes a motor (not shown) for driving the input belt  50 . The motor is connected to a wall outlet (not shown) through a user-operable switch (not shown).  
     Operation of the Present Invention  
     [0152] Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a flowchart which sets forth an exemplary general procedure  300  for checking out items through the checkout system. It should be appreciated that when the customer arrives at the checkout system, the system is in an idle state (step  302 ). An initialization step  304  is executed prior to checking out items for purchase. In particular, a message is displayed on the display monitor  66   a  associated with the interactive customer interface terminal  66  which instructs the customer to (1) to select a desired method of payment by touching a particular portion of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a , and/or (2) identify himself or herself by swiping his or her loyalty card, debit card, credit card, or smart card through the card reader associated with the electronic payment terminal  86 .  
     [0153] At the completion of the initialization step  304 , the routine  300  advances to an itemization step  306  where the customer enters the customer&#39;s individual items for purchase by scanning the items across the scanner  68 . Moreover, in step  306 , the customer may enter items, such as produce items or the like, by weighing the items with the product scale  70 , and thereafter entering a product lookup code associated with the item via the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a . Further, in step  306  the customer may enter an item by manually entering the product identification code associated with the item via use of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a . Such manual entry of an item may be necessary for items (which would otherwise be entered via the scanner  68 ) if the product identification code printed on the item is not readable by the scanner  68  or if the item is too large or bulky to be scanned with the scanner  68 . It should be appreciated that the checkout system may be configured such that the routine  300  allows more experienced customers to bypass the initialization step  304  thereby advancing directly to the itemization step  306 . In such a configuration, the customer would begin the transaction by scanning or otherwise entering his or her first item for purchase.  
     [0154] At the completion of the itemization step  306 , an end-of-itemization control signal is generated and the routine  300  advances to a finalization step  308  in which (1) a transaction receipt is printed by the receipt printer  110 , and (2) payment is tendered by either inserting currency into the currency acceptors (i.e., the coin acceptor  88  and/or the bill acceptor  90 ), charging a credit card or debit card account or decreasing a value amount stored on a smart card via the electronic payment terminal  86 . In the case of when a customer inserts currency into the coin acceptor  88  and/or the bill acceptor  90 , the checkout system may provide change via a currency dispenser (i.e., the coin dispenser  92  and/or the bill dispenser  72 ). After completion of the finalization step  308 , the routine  300  returns to step  302  in which the checkout system remains in the idle condition until a subsequent customer initializes the system.  
     [0155] During operation of the checkout system  12 , a number of software routines are executed to provide security from improprieties such as theft. For example, a scale security routine is executed in order to monitor the movement of items into and out of the post-scan area  200 . More specifically, during operation of the checkout system  12 , a scale security routine is executed which monitors the movement of items onto and off of the first take-away belt  138  in order to reduce the number of occasions in which the customer commits an impropriety such as theft.  
     [0156] As shown in FIG. 12, a scale security routine  310  is executed during the itemization step  306  (see FIG. 11). The scale security routine  310  monitors output from the security scale  164  thereby monitoring the movement of items onto and off of the first take-away belt  138  in an effort to prevent, for example, a situation in which the user scans a first item, but then places a second, more expensive item, or even an item that the user never even attempted to scan, onto the first take-away belt  138  for subsequent bagging.  
     [0157] The scale security routine  310  begins with step  312  in which the processing unit  66   b  determines if an item has been entered into the checkout system  12  by the user. In particular, the processing unit  66   b  scans or reads the output from the scanner  68  in order to determine if the scanner  68  has successfully read or otherwise captured the product identification code associated with an item. More specifically, the scanner  68  generates an output signal which is sent to the processing unit  66   b  once the scanner  68  successfully reads the product identification code associated with the item. Similarly, the processing unit  66   b  scans or reads the output from the product scale  70  and the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a  to determine if the user weighed an item such as produce with the product scale  70  and thereafter entered a product lookup code associated with the item via the touch screen. Hence in step  312 , if an item is entered into the checkout system  12 , an item-entered control signal is generated and the scale security routine  310  advances to step  314 . If an item has not been entered into the checkout system  12  by the user, the scale security routine  310  advances to step  316 .  
     [0158] In step  314 , the processing unit  66   b  retrieves a stored weight value of the entered item from a weight database. In particular, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with either a local memory device (e.g., the memory modules  66   d  or the hard drive) or a network memory device associated with the retailer&#39;s network  284  in order to retrieve the stored weight value associated with the entered item from the weight database. As discussed above, the weight database may be in the form of a master database which includes every item sold by the retailer, or may be a “transaction level” database which is constructed locally at the checkout system  12  during operation thereof. In either event, once the stored weight value of the entered item has been retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine  310  advances to step  318 .  
     [0159] In step  318 , the processing unit  66   b  determines if the entered item is placed on the first take-away belt  138 . More specifically, the security scale  164  generates an output or detection signal which is sent to the processing unit  66   b  once the security scale  164  has detected placement of an item onto the first take-away belt  138 . If the security scale  164  detects placement of an item onto the first take-away belt  138 , the scale security routine  310  is advanced to step  320 . If the security scale  164  does not detect placement of the item onto the first take-away belt  138 , the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  318  to monitor for subsequent placement of the item onto the first take-away belt  138 . It should be appreciated that the checkout system  12  may be configured to allow for the entry of items without the item being subsequently placed onto the first take-away belt  138 . For example, if the user scans a pack of gum, the user may place the gum into his or her pocket instead of a grocery bag. In such a situation, the scale security routine  310  would be configured to loop back to step  312  to monitor entry of subsequent items if a previously entered item is not placed onto the first take-away belt  138  within a predetermined time period.  
     [0160] As described above, if the security scale  164  detects placement of an item onto the first take-away belt  138 , the scale security routine  310  is advanced to step  320 . In step  320 , the processing unit  66   b  determines if the measured weight value of the item placed onto the first take-away belt  138  (as detected by the security scale  164  in step  318 ) matches the stored weight value of the entered item that was retrieved from the weight database in step  314 . What is meant herein by the terms “match”, “matches”, or “matching” in regard to weight values is that the magnitude of a first weight value is either equal to, or within a predetermined tolerance range of, the magnitude of a second weight value. For example, two weight values “match” if they are identical weight values. Moreover, a first weight value “matches” a second weight value if the first weight value is within 2% of the second weight value (assuming a 4% tolerance range). Yet further, a first weight value “matches” a second weight value if the first weight value is within 0.05 pound of the second weight value (assuming a tolerance range of 0.10 pound).  
     [0161] Hence, in step  320 , the processing unit  66   b  compares the weight value of the item placed onto the first take-away belt  138  (as measured by the security scale  164 ) with the stored weight value of the entered item that was retrieved from the weight database in step  314 . If the measured weight value of the item placed onto the first take-away belt  138  matches the stored weight value of the item retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine  310  advances to step  322 . If the measured weight value of the item placed onto the first take-away belt  138  does not match the stored weight value of the item retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine  310  advances to step  324 .  
     [0162] In step  322 , the processing unit  66   b  determines that a successful checkout operation has been completed for the particular item selected for purchase. More specifically, the processing unit  66   b  concludes that (1) the user apparently scanned or otherwise entered the item since a code associated with the item was detected in step  312 , and (2) the same item was placed onto the first take-away belt  138  since the weight values matched in step  320 . Hence, the processing unit  66   b  adds a record of the properly entered item into the transaction table. In particular, the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the network  284  to obtain product information (e.g., description and price) associated with the entered item.  
     [0163] Thereafter, the processing unit  66   b  updates the transaction table. More specifically, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g., the memory modules  66   d  or the hard drive) which causes the transaction table to be updated in the local memory devices to include the product information associated with the scanned item. As described above, the sum of each of the items recorded in the transaction table (1) minus any reductions (e.g., coupons), and (2) plus any applicable taxes is the amount that the customer pays for his or her transaction. Moreover, data stored in the transaction table is printed out on the receipt printer  110  thereby generating a receipt for the customer at the end of his or her transaction. Once the transaction table has been updated, a valid-use control signal is generated, and the scale security routine  310  advances to step  326 .  
     [0164] In step  326 , the processing unit  66   b  monitors the output from the touch screen  66   a  associated with the customer interface terminal  66 . In particular, the user touches a particular area of the touch screen  66   a  when the user has completed scanning or otherwise entering all of the items for purchase. If a particular signal is generated by the touch screen  66   a , the processing unit  66   b  determines that the itemization procedure  306  is complete and the scale security routine  310  ends thereby advancing the general routine  300  (see FIG. 11) to the finalization step  308 . If a particular signal is not generated by the touch screen  66   a , the processing unit  66   b  determines that the user has additional items to enter, and the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  312  to monitor subsequent item entry.  
     [0165] Returning now to step  320 , if the measured weight value of the item placed onto the first take-away belt  138  does not match the stored weight value of the entered item retrieved from the weight database, the scale security routine advances to step  324 . In step  324 , the processing unit  66   b  increments the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with item substitutions by a predetermined value. More specifically, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g., the memory modules  66   d  or the hard drive) which causes the event log and the aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.  
     [0166] Thereafter, the processing unit  66   b  determines if the total value of either the event log associated with item substitutions or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with item substitutions exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit  66   b  causes an output signal to be generated which causes the status tri-light device  78  to be operated to summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the user to determine if the user is attempting to provide himself or herself with improper benefits. In addition, if the aggregate log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal which causes the status tri-light device  78  to be operated to summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the user in a similar manner. The scale security routine  310  then advances to step  328 .  
     [0167] In step  328 , the processing unit  66   b  causes a message to be displayed on the display screen  66   a  associated with the customer interface terminal  66  which instructs the user to remove the item from the post-scan area  200  and thereafter place the proper item onto the first take-away belt  138 . The scale security routine  310  then advances to step  330 .  
     [0168] In step  330 , the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the security scale  164  in order to determine if the substituted item is removed from the first take-away belt  138  by the user, as instructed. In particular, the security scale  164  generates an output signal which is sent to the processing unit  66   b  when the user takes the substituted item off of the first take-away belt  138 . It should be appreciated that the processing unit  66   b  compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of the substituted item that was determined when it was placed onto the first take-away belt  138  (as detected in step  318 ) in order to ensure that the proper item is removed. If the proper item is removed from the first takeaway belt  138 , an item-removed control signal is generated and the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  318  to monitor subsequent placement of the correct item onto the first take-away belt  138 . If the proper item has not yet been removed from the first take-away belt  138 , the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  330  to monitor subsequent removal of the proper item from the first take-away belt  138 .  
     [0169] Returning now to step  312 , if an item was not scanned or otherwise entered into the checkout system  12 , the scale security routine  310  advances to step  316 . In step  316 , the processing unit  66   b  determines if an unentered item is placed onto the first take-away belt  138 . More specifically, the security scale  164  generates an output or detection signal which is sent to the processing unit  66   b  once the security scale  164  has detected placement of an item onto the first take-away belt  138 . If the security scale  164  detects placement of an unentered item onto the first take-away belt  138 , an invalid-use control signal is generated, and the scale security routine  310  is advanced to step  332 . If the security scale  164  does not detect placement of an unentered item onto the first takeaway belt  138 , the processing unit  66   b  concludes that there is no present item entry attempt being made by the user, and the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  312  to monitor for subsequent item entry.  
     [0170] In step  332 , the processing unit  66   b  increments the aggregate log and a particular event log associated with unentered item placement (i.e., placement of an unentered item onto the first take-away belt  138 ) by a predetermined value. More specifically, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal which is sent to the local memory devices (e.g., the memory modules  66   d  or the hard drive) which causes the event log associated with unentered item placement and the aggregate log to be incremented in the local memory devices by a value of one.  
     [0171] Thereafter, the processing unit  66   b  determines if the total value of either the event log associated with unentered item placement or the aggregate log exceeds the respective predetermined threshold value for each log. More specifically, if the event log associated with unentered item placement exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit  66   b  causes an output signal to be generated which causes the status tri-light device  78  to be operated to summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the user to determine if the user is attempting to provide improper benefits to himself or herself. In addition, if the aggregate log exceeds its predetermined threshold value, the processing unit  66   b  generates an output signal which causes the status tri-light device  78  to be operated to summon retail personnel such as a manager in order to assist and/or investigate the user in a similar manner. The scale security routine  310  then advances to step  334 .  
     [0172] In step  334 , the processing unit  66   b  causes a message to be displayed on the display screen  66   a  associated with the customer interface terminal  66  which instructs the user to remove the unentered item from the first take-away belt  138  and thereafter properly scan or otherwise enter the item into the checkout system  12 . The scale security routine  310  then advances to step  336 .  
     [0173] In step  336 , the processing unit  66   b  communicates with the security scale  164  in order to determine if the unentered item is removed from the first take-away belt  138  by the user, as instructed. In particular, the security scale  164  generates a removal output signal which is sent to the processing unit  66   b  when the user takes the unentered item off of the first take-away belt  138 . It should be appreciated that the processing unit  66   b  compares the weight value of the removed item to the weight value of the unentered item that was determined when it was placed onto the first take-away belt  138  (as detected in step  316 ) in order to ensure that the proper item is removed. In particular, the processing unit  66   b  generates a match control signal if the weight value of the removed item matches the weight value of the unentered item that was placed onto the first takeaway belt  138 . In response to generation of the match control signal, the processing unit  66   b  causes a message to be displayed on the display screen  66   a  which instructs the user to re-enter the item. Hence, in step  336 , if the proper item is removed from the first take-away belt  138 , an item-removed control signal is generated and the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  312  to monitor subsequent entry of the item. If the proper item has not yet been removed from the first take-away belt  138 , or a different item is removed, an instruction is displayed on the display screen  66   a  which instructs the user to remove the proper item, and the scale security routine  310  loops back to step  336  to monitor subsequent removal of the proper item from the first take-away belt  138 .  
     [0174] As described above, use of the scale security routine  310  provides the checkout system  12  with numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, as described in detail above, use of the scale security routine  310  provides security from improprieties by the user during operation of the checkout system  12 .  
     [0175] It should be appreciated that other security mechanisms may also be operated during operation of the checkout system  12 . For example, the security deactivation device  166  of the present invention is operated to generate a deactivation field in the form of a magnetic field or electromagnetic field during operation of the checkout system  12  so as to deactivate electronic tags associated with items for purchase after the items are scanned by the customer with the scanner  68 . In particular, as described above, the security deactivation device  166  generates a deactivation field (e.g., a magnetic and/or electromagnetic field) downstream from a scanner detection zone associated with the scanner  68 . By generating the deactivation field downstream from the scanner detection zone, the item is advanced through the deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag secured to the item after the item is scanned by the user.  
     [0176] By “automatically” deactivating the electronic security tag after the item is scanned by a customer (i.e., deactivating the tag during a scanning motion), the customer is not required to perform additional operations for the sole purpose to deactivating the tag prior to exiting the store. In particular, heretofore designed self-service checkout systems have required the customer to take his or her items for purchase to a centralized area such as a terminal operated by a retail clerk after the customer has completed his or her transaction in order to allow the clerk to determine which of the customer&#39;s items contain electronic security tags that need to be deactivated. Thereafter, the clerk manually deactivates each of the electronic security tags associated with the customer&#39;s items for purchase. It should be appreciated that the extra step of requiring the customer to take his or her items to the centralized area to deactivate the electronic security tags adds cost to the retailer&#39;s operation (e.g., the cost associated with staffing the centralized area with a retail clerk) and also creates an inconvenience for the customer by requiring the customer to spend additional time in the retailer&#39;s store. Such an inconvenience to the customer is augmented if a line or queue is present at the centralized area.  
     [0177] Hence, utilization of the security deactivation device  166  of the present invention solves such shortcomings of heretofore self-service checkout systems by deactivating the electronic security tag as part of routine entry of items into the checkout system  12  by the customer. In particular, utilization of the security deactivation device  166  eliminates the need for the retail clerk to intervene into the customer&#39;s transaction thereby reducing labor costs associated with the retailer&#39;s operation, along with increasing convenience to the customer by not requiring him or her to stand in a potentially long line or queue. Moreover, by generating the deactivation field proximate to the scanner detection zone such that the electronic security tag is deactivated as a result of an item scanning motion, the customer is not required to operate a separate deactivation-device such as a magnetic pad or the like thereby reducing the number of components that a customer is presented with during operation of the system  12 .  
     [0178] It should be appreciated that the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field (e.g., the magnetic or electromagnetic field), or may only generate the deactivation field once the product code associated with the item has been captured by the scanner  68 . In particular, under the premise that the customer is likely not trying to commit an impropriety such as theft, the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to continuously generate the deactivation field such that the electronic security tag is deactivated whether or not the product code associated with the item is actually captured with the scanner  68 . For example, if the customer attempts to scan the item with the scanner  68  (by advancing the item through the scanner detection zone with the bar code associated with the item facing one of the scanning windows  68   a ,  68   b ), but the product code is not captured by the scanner for any reason, the security deactivation device  166 , if configured to continuously produce the deactivation field, may cause the electronic security label to be deactivated even though the item was not actually entered in the checkout system  12 . However, in the case of operation of the checkout system  12  by an honest customer, such premature deactivation of the security tag is not an issue once the customer is subsequently successful at entering the item (e.g., by rescanning the item or manually entering the product code). It should be appreciated that the customer is likely to perform such re-scanning or manual entry of the item since the customer is not made aware of the fact that the electronic security tag has been deactivated.  
     [0179] However, to prevent the unlikely occurrence that the electronic security tag is prematurely deactivated and the item is not subsequently entered into the checkout system  12 , the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to generate the deactivation field only after the product code associated with the item has been entered into the system  12 . In particular, an item-entered control signal is generated when a product code associated with an item is captured by the scanner  68 . In response to generation of the item-entered control signal, the security deactivation device  166  may be actuated so as to generate a deactivation field thereby deactivating the electronic security tag associated with the scanned item. In such a configuration, the location, width, and/or shape of the deactivation field generated by the security deactivation device  166  may be configured to ensure that the item is advanced therethrough during a handling motion subsequent to the scanning motion (e.g., the motion associated with placement of the item onto the first take-away belt  138 ).  
     [0180] As alluded to above, the status tri-light device  78  may be utilized during operation of the checkout system  12  in order to summon retail personnel to the checkout system  12 . In particular, if during operation of the checkout system  12 , an intervention-needed activity is detected, the status tri-light device  78  is operated so as to summon retail personnel such as a customer service manager in order to assist and/or investigate the customer&#39;s operation of the system  12 . As described in detail above, such an intervention-needed activity may take the form of a security-breach activity in which the checkout system  12  is being operated in a manner which is placing the retailer in a position of potential financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for (either intentionally or unintentionally). An intervention-needed activity may also take the form of a non-security-breach activity in which the customer is in need of assistance or the checkout system  12  is in need of maintenance, but the retailer is not at risk of financial loss due to goods being taken from the store without having first been paid for. For example, if the customer scanned a first item, but then placed a second item of greater value into a grocery bag as detected by, for example, the security scale  68 , the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred. Moreover, if the customer operating the system  12  touches a particular portion of the touch screen associated with the display monitor  66   a ; thereby indicating that he or she is in need of assistance, the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0181] In addition, the processing unit  66   b  may monitor the status of the retail peripheral devices associated with the checkout system  12  in order to determine if an intervention-needed activity has occurred. For example, the processing unit  66   b  preferably monitors the currency level within the coin dispenser  92  and the bill dispenser  72  in order to determine if either currency dispenser  72 ,  92  is in need of restocking. Moreover, the processing unit  66   b  preferably monitors the paper supply level within the receipt printer  110  in order to determine if the printer  110  is in need of restocking. It should be appreciated that if any one of the currency dispensers  72 ,  92  or the printer  110  is in need of restocking, the processing unit  66   b  concludes that an intervention-needed activity has occurred.  
     [0182] As described above, once an intervention-needed activity has been detected, the status tri-light device  78  is operated to summon retail personnel. For example, the status tri-light device  78  may display a first colored light (e.g., yellow) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed prior to the end of the current checkout transaction. Alternatively, the status tri-light device  78  may display a second colored light (e.g., red) in order to notify retail personnel that intervention is needed immediately.  
     [0183] Additionally, during operation of the checkout system  12 , the display monitor  66   a  of the interactive customer interface may be utilized to display certain information to the customer while the customer is entering his or her items for purchase. For example, a customer-specific message such as a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product that was purchased by the customer during a previous visit to the retailer&#39;s store may be displayed on the first portion  372  of the display monitor  66   a , as shown in FIG. 13, while transaction information such as item description and price is displayed on the second portion  374  of the display monitor  66   a . In particular, during a self-service checkout transaction, the processing unit  66   b  retrieves information from a customer profile database which contains customer-specific information (e.g., previous purchases) about each of the retailer&#39;s customers. Hence, as shown in FIG. 13, if the customer routinely purchases “ACME BEER”, an advertisement for “ACME BEER” may be displayed on the first portion  372  of the display monitor  66   a  while the customer is entering the his or her items for purchase.  
     [0184] Moreover, such a customer-specific message may include a customer-specific advertisement which advertises a product which may be used in conjunction with a product which was previously scanned or otherwise entered into the checkout system  12  during the current checkout transaction. For example, if the customer scans a case of beer, an advertisement relating to pretzels may be displayed to the customer on the first portion  372  if the display monitor  66   b  since pretzels are commonly consumed with beer.  
     [0185] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown another embodiment of a modular self-service retail checkout terminal configuration kit  410  from which can be assembled, configured, designed, et cetera a self-service retail checkout terminal or system for use in a retail business such as a grocery store. Configuration kit  410  is right-hand configured, meaning that the items being purchased flow from right to left from the viewpoint of the user and from the viewpoint of FIG. 14. In contrast, the configuration kit  10  of FIG. 1 is left-hand configured, meaning that the items being purchased flow from left to right from the viewpoint of the user and from the viewpoint of FIG. 1. Unless mentioned, a terminal configured from the right-hand kit functions, operates, et cetera in the same manner as a terminal configured from the right-hand kit. In the left-hand configuration of FIG. 1, the one of the set  14  of input units that is selectively assembled with the set  16  of main units is disposed on the left-hand side of the user, as indicated by arrow  602 . The user normally stands in front of the set  16  of main units. Further, the one of the set  18  of output units that is selectively assembled with the set  16  of main units is disposed on the right-hand side of the user, as indicated by arrow  604 . In contrast, in the right-hand configuration of FIG. 14, the one of the set  414  of input units that is selectively assembled with the set  416  of main units is disposed on the right-hand side of the user, as indicated by arrow  604 . The user normally stands in front of the set  416  of main units. Further, the one of the set  418  of output units that is selectively assembled with the set  416  of main units is disposed on the left-hand side of the user, as indicated by arrow  602 .  
     [0186] It is desirable to have both right-hand and left-hand configurations because of the space savings provided thereby. More particularly, a left-hand terminal can be set up facing a right-hand terminal such that the two terminals share a common aisle on which a user can approach the terminals. Another advantage of having both right-hand and left-hand self-service terminals facing in opposite directions in a store checkout area is that a potential customer can always see the face of a terminal regardless of the direction from which the customer is approaching the checkout area. Because the customer is able to see the face of the terminal during his or her approach to the checkout area, the customer is more likely to use one of the self-service checkout terminals rather than go to a full-service checkout terminal, which is more expensive for the retailer to operate.  
     [0187] For purposes of the following discussion, the self-service checkout terminal configuration kit  410  will be described in detail. However, it should be appreciated that an assisted checkout terminal (i.e., a retail checkout terminal which is operated by a store employee such as a checkout clerk) may be configured in a similar manner.  
     [0188] The checkout system configuration kit  410  includes a set  414  of input units, a set  416  of main units, and a set  418  of output units. The set  414  of input units includes the side bumper  20 , an input belt module  422  and a basket shelf  424 . The set  416  of main units includes the core module  26 , the back bumper  28 , an upper currency module  430 , a pedestal  432  and the base  34 . The set  418  of output units includes a take-away belt module  436 , a large bagwell  438  and a small bagwell  440 .  
     [0189] Some of the components of configuration kit  410  are identical to the corresponding components in configuration kit  10  (see FIG. 1). More particularly, each of the side bumper  20 , the core module  26 , the back bumper  28  and the base  34  can be used in either the left-hand configuration of kit  10  or the right-hand configuration of kit  410 . More particularly, the side bumper  20  is selectively positionable on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the core module  26 . Further, the core module  26  is selectively positionable on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the base  34 . Core module cabinet  76  includes knockouts  82   a ,  83   a  (FIG. 15) on side surface  48   a  which are located identically as (i.e., as the mirror image of) the knockouts  82   b ,  83   b  on the side surface  48   b.    
     [0190] The security deactivation module  186  can also be used in both left-hand and right-hand configurations. That is, the security deactivation module is selectively positionable on a right-hand side or a left-hand side of the core module  26 . When used in the right-hand configuration, the security deactivation module  186  is oriented such that the knockout  194   a  (see FIG. 8) of the security deactivation cabinet  190  is aligned with the knockout  83   a  of the core module cabinet  76 . Thus, cabling can be routed through the aligned knockouts  83   a ,  194   a.    
     [0191] Some other ones of the components of configuration kit  410  differ from their counterparts in configuration kit  10  only in the placement or mounting of some parts. More particularly, the pedestal  432  differs from pedestal  32  only in that the printer  110  is mounted in the left-hand side throughhole  116   a  of pedestal  432 , while, in contrast, the printer  110  is mounted in the right-hand side throughhole  116   b  of the pedestal  32 . Also, the cabling to the upper currency module is routed through the right-hand side throughhole  116   b  of the pedestal  432 , while, in contrast, the cabling to the upper currency module is routed through the left-hand side throughhole  116   a  of the pedestal  32 . Moreover, the cabling to the core module  26  is routed through a right-hand side knockout  122   b  of a right side wall  120   b  of the pedestal  432 , while, in contrast, the cabling to the core module  26  is routed through the left-hand side knockout  122   a  of the left side wall  120   a  of the pedestal  32 . However, the pedestal  32  and the pedestal  432  include the same parts, with only the arrangement of the parts differing between the pedestal  32  and the pedestal  432 . The pedestal  432  is the mirror image of the pedestal  32 .  
     [0192] The input belt module  422  of configuration kit  410  differs from the input belt module  22  of configuration kit  10  only in that the bumper  53  is placed on an opposite side of the input belt cabinet  52 . The input belt module  422  is the mirror image of the input belt module  22 . It is easy to convert one of the input belt modules  22  and  422  into the other with a minor mounting change of the bumper  53 . Thus, the input belt module is selectively positionable on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the core module  26 .  
     [0193] The large bagwell  438  of configuration kit  410  differs from the large bagwell  38  of configuration kit  10  only in that the bumper  175  is placed on an opposite side of the large bagwell cabinet  174 . The large bagwell  438  is the mirror image of the large bagwell  38 . It is easy to convert one of the large bagwell  38  and  438  into the other with a minor mounting change of the bumper  175 . Thus, the large bagger is selectively positionable on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the core module  26 .  
     [0194] The small bagwell  440  of configuration kit  410  differs from the small bagwell  40  of configuration kit  10  only in that the bumper  181  is placed on an opposite side of the small bagwell cabinet  180 . The small bagwell  440  is the mirror image of the small bagwell  40 . It is easy to convert one of the small bagwells  40  and  440  into the other with a minor mounting change of the bumper  181 . Thus, the small bagger is selectively positionable on either the right-hand side or the left-hand side of the core module  26 .  
     [0195] The remaining ones of the components of configuration kit  410  have structural differences from their counterparts in configuration kit  10 . Thus, these components are not used in both right-hand and left-hand configurations, and both right-hand and left-hand versions of these components are provided.  
     [0196] More particularly, the take-away belt module  436  of configuration kit  410  is the mirror image of the take-away belt module  36  of configuration kit  10 . A bagging counter  544  and a set aside shelf  546  are mounted on the take-away belt module  436  such that they extend away from the user, as do the bagging counter  144  and the set aside shelf  146  of the take-away belt module  36 . Although the present invention includes a separate left-hand version 36 and a right-hand version 436 of the takeaway belt module, it would be possible to provide a take-away belt module that can be easily switched between right-hand and left-hand configurations. More particularly, the take-away belt module could include a bagging counter that is slidable in directions indicated by double arrow  600  to accommodate both right-hand and left-hand configurations. The take-away belt module could also include a set aside shelf that is easily detached and reattached to an opposite side of the take-away belt module cabinet in order to accommodate both right-hand and left-hand configurations.  
     [0197] The currency module  430  of the configuration kit  410  is the mirror image of the currency module  30  of the configuration kit  10 . Moreover, the currency module cabinet  498  is the mirror image of the currency module cabinet  98 . Thus, the positions of the electronic payment terminal  86 , the coin acceptor  88 , the bill acceptor  90 , the coin dispenser  92  and the coupon acceptor  94  are reversed in the currency module  430  as compared to the currency module  30 . For example, the electronic payment terminal  86  is on the left-hand side of the currency module  430 , while, in contrast, the electronic payment terminal  86  is on the right-hand side of the currency module  30 .  
     [0198] The basket shelf  24  of the configuration kit  410  is the mirror image of the basket shelf  24  of the configuration kit  10 . More particularly, the side rails  62  are mounted on the right-hand side of the shelf  424 , while, in contrast, the side rails  62  are mounted on the left-hand side of the shelf  24 . Although the present invention includes a separate left-hand version 24 and a right-hand version 424 of the basket shelf, it would be possible to provide a basket shelf that can be easily switched between right-hand and left-hand configurations. More particularly, the basket shelf could include side rails that can be easily detached from the left-hand side of the shelf and reattached to the right-hand side of the shelf, and vice versa, to accommodate both right-hand and left-hand configurations.  
     [0199] As described above in detail, the checkout system  12  of the present invention provides numerous advantages over heretofore designed checkout systems. For example, the checkout system  12  of the present invention can be quickly and easily modified by swapping the one of the set  14  of input units that is currently installed with another one of the set  14  of input units. Similarly, the checkout system  12  can be quickly and easily modified by swapping the one of the set  18  of output units that is currently installed with another one of the set  18  of output units.  
     [0200] Further, the modular form of the components of the terminal configuration kit  10  allows any one of the components to be easily removed from the checkout system and replaced with an upgraded model of that particular component. Because the components have their own separate cabinets, power strips and USB port expander devices, any one of the components of an assembled terminal can be quickly and easily removed from the terminal and replaced with an upgraded version. More particularly, any one of the input belt module, the bumpers, the basket shelf, the core module, the pedestal, the currency module, the base, the take-away belt module, the large bagger, the small bagger and the security deactivation module can be easily removed and/or installed into an assembled checkout system.  
     [0201] Another advantage is that many components of the terminal configuration kit  10  of the present invention can be used in both left-hand and right-hand configurations, or at least can be switched between left-hand and right-hand configurations after some minor mounting adjustments. This makes it easier for a retailer to convert a checkout terminal from a right-hand to a left-hand configuration, and vice versa. It also reduces the number of components that the retailer and the distributor of the checkout systems must keep in inventory, since both right-hand and left-hand versions of the components are not needed in all cases.  
     [0202] A further advantage of the terminal configuration kit  10  is that the components are in modular form and have their own cabinets. This allows the component modules to be easily rearranged and assembled into either a left-hand or a right-hand configuration.  
     [0203] Yet further, the terminal configuration kit  10  of the present invention provides a checkout system that can be imported into numerous foreign countries with minimal effort during the importation process in regard to compliance of local electrical standards. In addition, the terminal configuration kit  10  of the present invention provides a checkout system has enhanced data and power cable routing management relative to heretofore designed checkout systems. Moreover, the terminal configuration kit  10  of the present invention provides a checkout system which may be constructed of “off the shelf”, industry-standard retail peripheral devices thereby substantially eliminating costs associated with development of proprietary data transmission and power architectures.  
     [0204] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.  
     [0205] There are a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the checkout system described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the checkout system of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a terminal configuration kit or a checkout system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.