Patent ID: 7416117

Claim:
A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal of a retail store, comprising the steps of: recording a number of merchandise items for purchase by a user by said self-service checkout terminal; receiving movement signals from a plurality of adjoining detection zones of a floor mat in a checkout floor area adjacent to said self-service checkout terminal in response to said detection zones reacting to a weight of said user as said user walks on said detection zones by said self-service checkout terminal; tracking directional movements of said user from said movement signals by said self-service checkout terminal as said user walks about said checkout floor area in any direction while using said self-service checkout terminal; receiving a last movement signal as said user leaves said checkout floor area indicative of said user ceasing operation of said self-checkout terminal; determining if a payment-tendered control signal was received by said self-service checkout terminal indicative of said user having tendered payment for said merchandise items prior to receipt of said last movement signal; and if said payment-tendered control signal was not received by said self-service checkout terminal, determining a last direction of movement of said user prior to said user leaving said checkout floor area by said self-service checkout terminal, and operating a summoning device so as to summon retail personnel by said self-service checkout terminal if said last direction of movement was towards an exit of said store.