IP Library Granted Patent US 7,398,923
Granted Patent B2
US 7,398,923 · App. 11/847,500 · Granted Jul 15, 2008

System to detect false purchases with a consumer service device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,398,923
App. No.
11/847,500
Granted
Jul 15, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

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

Claims (39)

1. A system, comprising:

a motion detector for detecting a motion across a product identifier in a self-service terminal;

a counter for monitoring for a product identification;

a first signaling unit, in response to failing to detect the product identifier, transmitting an alert signal;

a recording unit, in response to detecting said product identifier, recording said product identifier on a personal shopping device;

a second signaling unit, in response to recording said product identifier on said personal shopping device, sending a product identification signal, indicating a price check, from said personal shopping device;

a correlating unit for correlating an initiation of a purchase transaction to said product identifier; and

a first transmitting unit for, in response to correlating said product identifier to said initiation, transmitting a product purchased from said personal shopping device.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second transmitting unit for transmitting a product identified signal from said personal shopping device in response to a product identification that is not correlated to a purchase transaction within a predetermined time.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a pattern matching unit for identifying a pattern in a relationship between a number of said product identified signals, a number of said failure signals, and a number of said product purchased signals; and

a pattern information unit for alerting a security unit to said pattern.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an identifying unit for identifying suspicious activity as being a failure to correlate said product identifier to said initiation of a purchase transaction; and

means for logging said suspicious activity.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a calculating unit for, in response to said alert signal and said product identified signal being repeatedly generated to create respective multiple alert signals and product identified signals, calculating a ratio of a sum of said product identified signals and said alert signals to a quantity of said product purchased signals.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising an alerting unit for alerting a security unit when said ratio exceeds a threshold value.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first transmitting unit further comprises electrical devices for transmitting one of a group consisting of a first audible signal, a first color of light outside the visible spectrum from an illumination unit, a first color of visible light from said illumination unit, and a first radio-frequency signal.

8. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising:

a computer-readable medium;

instructions on the computer-readable medium for detecting a motion across a product identifier in a self-service terminal;

instructions on the computer-readable medium for monitoring for a product identifier;

instructions, in response to failing to detect the product identifier, transmitting an alert signal;

instructions, in response to detecting said product identifier, recording said product identifier on a personal shopping device;

instructions, in response to recording said product identifier on said personal shopping device, sending a product identification signal from said personal shopping device;

instructions on the computer-readable medium for correlating an initiation of a purchase transaction to said product identifier; and

instructions, in response to correlating said product identifier to said initiation, transmitting a product purchased from said personal shopping device.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising instructions on the computer-readable medium for transmitting a product identified signal from said personal shopping device in response to a product identification that is not correlated to a purchase transaction within a predetermined time.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 , further comprising:

instructions on the computer-readable medium for identifying a pattern in a relationship between a number of said product identified signals, a number of said failure signals, and a number of said product purchased signals; and

instructions on the computer-readable medium for alerting a security unit to said pattern.

11. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising:

instructions on the computer-readable medium for identifying suspicious activity as being a failure to correlate said product identifier to said initiation of a purchase transaction; and

instructions on the computer-readable medium for logging said suspicious activity.

12. The computer program product of claim 11 , further comprising:

instructions, in response to said alert signal and said product identified signal being repeatedly generated to create respective multiple alert signals and product identified signals, calculating a ratio of a sum of said product identified signals and said alert signals to a quantity of said product purchased signals.

13. The computer program product of claim 12 , further comprising instructions on the computer-readable medium for alerting a security unit when said ratio exceeds a threshold value.

14. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein said instructions for transmitting said product purchased from said personal shopping device further comprises instructions on the computer-readable medium for transmitting one of a group consisting of a first audible signal, a first color of light outside the visible spectrum from an illumination unit, a first color of visible light from said illumination unit, and a first radio-frequency signal.

Assignments (1)
PATENT ASSIGNMENT AND RESERVATION Recorded Sep 4, 2012
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028895/0935 →