Self-checkout method and apparatus including graphic interface for non-bar coded items

Abstract

An apparatus and method for self-checkout of non-bar coded items is provided. The apparatus includes a PLU entry device, a PLU database and a processing unit. The PLU entry device includes a display and a GUI. The GUI provides on the display a predetermined image corresponding to a non-bar coded item, and means for the user to select the predetermined image of the non-bar coded item. The PLU entry device supplies a PLU corresponding to the non-bar coded item selected by the user. The processing unit uses the PLU supplied by the PLU entry device to retrieve a price of the selected non-bar coded item from the PLU database. A GUI editor may also be provided for configuring the GUI for non-bar coded items. The processing unit may maintain for each item a count of the number of units of the item sold within a predetermined period of time. The processing unit also may maintain a list of most frequently sold items. The image of at least one item on the list is provided on a selected display screen. The processing unit may update the display screen when the list of most frequently sold items changes. An image of a generic category of items may be provided on the display. The displayed image of the generic category is selected by the user to view images of respective items in the generic category.

1 . An apparatus for self-checkout of non-bar coded items, comprising: 
 a PLU entry device having a display and a GUI, wherein the GUI provides on the display a predetermined image corresponding to a non-bar coded item, and provides a user with means for selecting the predetermined image of the non-bar coded item; and    a GUI editor, wherein the GUI editor is used to configure the GUI for non-bar coded items.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI includes a plurality of display screens, displayed one screen at a time, and the GUI editor is used to configure selected ones of the display screens.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI editor is used to select the image corresponding to the non-bar coded item from a database of images.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI editor is used to configure display screens for a plurality of non-bar coded items.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein after the display screens for non-bar coded items is configured, GUI data for non-bar coded items is broadcast to a plurality of self-checkout terminals.  
     
     
         6 . A method for self-checkout of non-bar coded items, comprising the steps of: 
 providing the GUI for self-checkout of non-bar coded items by a user, the GUI including predetermined images corresponding to selected non-bar coded items and means for the user to select an item corresponding to one of the displayed images;    maintaining a list of most frequently sold items; and    displaying an image of at least one item on the list of most frequently sold items on a selected display screen.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising updating the display screen when the list of most frequently sold items changes.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising maintaining for each item a count of a number of units of the item sold within a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising updating the list of most frequently sold items as sales take place at checkout terminals.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising providing a GUI editor for configuring the GUI for non-bar coded items.