Importance

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Abstract

An integrated self-checkout system and method incorporates access control, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and radio frequency identification (RFID) subsystems, and allows marketing advertisements and pricing to be directed to a specific individual. The customer uses either a cell phone or an interactive personal digital assistant (PDA) when in the store, which displays prices and/or advertisements. The prices and advertisements are selected according to the customer's buying habits. The customer's buying habits are obtained by tracking the customer in the store and recording selected parameters such as the customer's track through the store, the time spent in various locations in the store, items selected by the customer, and items purchased. A database of customer habits is input to a decision program that determines the content of advertisements, and the pricing of various items. In addition to the customer's cell phone or PDA, the advertising and pricing can be communicated to the customer through shelf price displays and fixed displays strategically positioned in the store. RFID or bar code scanners are used to identify the items selected by the customer, and EAS functions can be deactivated for the specific items purchased.

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First Claim