Methods and systems for performing security weight checks at checkouts
View Patent ↗Checkout techniques are described to address fraud reduction and prevention. As an example, a bypass fraud detection process determines when a customer may have attempted to bypass self-checkout security.
1. A method for performing a self-checkout security test comprising:
measuring an aggregate weight for a shopping cart and its contents utilizing a first weigh scale integrated into a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat;
deducting a tare for the weight of the shopping cart to deter mine an aggregate weight for its contents;
determining a security weight for all items actually scanned and bagged utilizing a security scale of the self-checkout system;
comparing the aggregate weight for contents with the security weight; and
notifying an operator if the comparison results in a difference more than a predetermined amount.
2. A method for performing a checkout security test comprising:
measuring a weight for a plurality of items plus a tare utilizing a first weigh scale integrated into a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat;
detecting a change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale at a first time;
determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred with relationship to said detected change; and
generating an indication of a potential fraud if it is determined that a timely scan of an item has not occurred.
3. The method of claim 2 where the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred within a predetermined time of said detecting a change in the weight.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred prior to detecting a further change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale.
5. The method of claim 2 further comprising where the step of generating an indication of a potential fraud further comprises generating a timestamp associated with video of checkout.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the tare comprises the weight of an empty shopping cart.
7. A system for performing a self-checkout security test comprising:
a first weigh scale to measure a weight for a shopping cart and its contents, the first weigh scale integrated in to a mat on a floor where the shopping cart is located at a self-checkout system with the shopping cart on the mat;
a programmed processor to deduct a tare for the weight of the shopping cart to determine a weight for its contents;
a security scale of the self-checkout system to determine a security weight for all items actually scanned and bagged;
a programmed processor to compare the weight for contents with the security weight; and a programmed processor to notify an operator terminal if the comparison differs by more than a predetermined amount.
8. A system for performing a checkout security test comprising:
a scale measuring weight for a plurality of items plus a tare, wherein the scale is integrated into a mat on a floor and is located at a self-checkout system;
a programmed processor detecting a change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale at a first time;
the programmed processor also determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred; and
the system generating an indication of a potential fraud if it is determined that a timely scan of an item has not occurred.
9. The system of claim 8 where the step of determining if a timely scan of an item has occurred further comprises determining if a scan of an item has occurred within a predetermined time of said detecting a change in the weight.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor further determines if a timely scan of an item has occurred by determining if a scan of an item has occurred prior to detecting a further change in the weight measured by the first weigh scale.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising the processor generating an indication of a potential fraud by generating a timestamp associated with video of checkout by a video controller.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein the tare comprises the weight of an empty shopping cart.