Method and apparatus for detecting item placement and item removal during operation of a self-service checkout terminal

摘要

A method of providing security during operation of a checkout terminal, with the terminal having a first scale, includes the step of storing a first identification code associated with an input item in a memory in response to entry of the input item into the terminal. The method also includes the step of detecting the weight of the input item with the first scale and storing an input weight value associated with the weight of the input item in the memory in response thereto. The method further includes the step of retrieving a second identification code associated with a removal item from the memory in response to a user voiding entry of the removal item. Moreover, the method includes the step of detecting the weight of the removal item with the first scale and generating a removal weight value associated with the weight of the removal item in response thereto. The method yet further includes the step of generating a wrong-item-removed control signal if (1) the first identification code is the same as the second identification code, and (2) the input weight value does not match the removal weight value.